Soles4Souls(R), the Shoe Charity, and Sport Chalet Partner for Haitian Relief Efforts

News provided by

Jan 14, 2010, 07:07 ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn. and LOS ANGELES, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Soles4Souls (www.giveshoes.org) and Sport Chalet have joined forces to bring shoes and other aid to victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

Sport Chalet will help collect footwear to support Soles4Souls' commitment to donate more than 250,000 pairs of shoes as well as other necessities, including food, bottled water, medical supplies and baby products, to affected areas. Beginning January 15, customers at Sport Chalet's more than 55 stores will have the opportunity to drop off a gently worn pair of shoes. All donations will directly support relief efforts.

Soles4Souls has partnered with Operation Compassion, a charity that mobilizes support for victims of natural disasters around the world, to transport and distribute the aid. Thirty containers of supplies, including work boots, rain boots, children's athletic shoes and clothing items, are already en route to Haiti.

"As we struggle to comprehend the magnitude of this disaster, we cannot forget how important basic necessities – such as shoes – will be in the ongoing rescue and rebuilding efforts," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. "We deeply appreciate the support of Sport Chalet and their customers in helping us provide shoes and other essential items to survivors and volunteers as they work in horrific conditions."

The death toll from Tuesday's quake continues to rise, and survivors and rescuers are facing dire health conditions including stifling heat, lack of clean water, broken glass and raw sewage.

"Being reminded of how fragile our world is, and seeing the devastation that has affected so many, makes it evident that our continued partnership with charities like Soles4Souls is more relevant than ever," said Craig Levra, Chairman and CEO of Sport Chalet. "With 55 Sport Chalet drop-off locations in four states, we are asking our customers, our employees, and our vendors to stop by and donate their gently worn shoes for those so tragically affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Since we live with this same threat every day, it is a natural response for Sport Chalet to help, and we are so pleased to be able to do so."

For more information on how to get involved and donate to the victims in Haiti, visit www.giveshoes.org.

About Soles4Souls®

Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. We distribute these shoes, free of charge, to people in need around the world. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 7 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 9 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.

About Sport Chalet

Sport Chalet, founded in 1959 by Norbert Olberz, is a leading operator of full service specialty sporting goods stores in California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. The Company offers over 50 services for the serious sports enthusiast, including backpacking, canyoneering, and kayaking instruction, custom golf club fitting and repair, snowboard and ski rental and repair, SCUBA training and certification, SCUBA boat charters, team sales, racquet stringing, and bicycle tuneup and repair throughout its 55 locations. For more information, visit www.sportchalet.com.

SOURCE Soles4Souls