Orthopaedic Surgeons Across the Country Announce Partnership with Soles4Souls®, Inc, the Shoe Charity in National Effort to Help Area Homeless

Soles4Souls' Conti Project, with the support of Minnesota's Red Wing Shoes, will provide Free Foot Screenings and Footwear

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Soles4Souls

Nov 10, 2010, 05:17 ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Soles4Souls announced Wednesday their participation in the Conti Project, a yearly event dedicated to providing the less fortunate people across the nation with free foot screenings and footwear. Soles4Souls has merged efforts with Our Hearts to Your Soles, which was founded by Dr. Stephen Conti, this year to form the Conti Project. This is the fifth national effort to help relieve the foot problems experienced by area homeless. The event will be held in more than 40 cities nationwide.

Red Wing Shoe Company, which has been manufacturing work boots for one hundred years, has recently donated thousands of pairs of high quality Red Wing footwear to Soles4Souls Inc, the international shoe charity dedicated to providing footwear to people in need. Hanger Orthopedic Group, Integra, and Arthrex, Inc. have also donated footwear for the campaign. During the weeks surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday, physicians and surgeons participate in the event coordinated by Soles4Souls by providing new shoes or boots, and medical screenings to thousands of homeless men in more than 40 states.

"Soles4Souls is thrilled about the Conti Project event this year," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. "The health, comfort and well-being of those less fortunate in this country has been and will continue to be a priority for us." Elsey believes, "A pair of durable boots can fill a person with hope and confidence. It's a major step towards employment and building self-esteem."

"Our Hearts to Your Soles and the Conti Project began with an idea by my kids and it has now become a national charity which is privileged to work with over forty orthopaedic surgeons and 500 volunteers to help homeless Americans with medical screenings and shoes around Thanksgiving," said Dr. Conti. "My family and I are very excited to take the next step and partner with Soles4Souls so we can reach out to even more people in years to come."

The success of the Conti Project relies heavily on local support.

People and companies interested in donating can visit the organization's website at www.giveshoes.org and follow the instructions.

About Soles4Souls®

Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects, recycles and reuses shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. We distribute usable shoes to people in need around the world (we recycle less than 2% of donated footwear). Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away nearly 12 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 7 seconds). The shoes have been distributed in 125 countries, including Haiti, Kenya, Nepal and the United States. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.

SOURCE Soles4Souls