01 February 2010

Dutrey's to Collect Shoes for Haiti Earthquake Survivors

The Sentinel Online

Soles4Souls and Dutrey’s Shoes have joined forces to bring shoes to victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

According to a news release, Dutrey’s Shoes will help collect footwear to support Soles4Souls’ commitment to donate more than 250,000 pairs of shoes to affected areas.

Through February 28, customers at Dutrey’s Shoes can drop off a “gently worn” pair of shoes. All donations will directly support relief efforts. Shoes will be collected at Dutrey’s Shoes at 290 E. Pomfret St. in Carlisle

In addition to directly helping those in Haiti, Dutrey’s Shoes will be offering a $5 savings certificate for each pair of shoes donated and up to $15 towards the purchase of new footwear in their store.

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, baby shoes, children’s athletic shoes and clothing items, are already en route to Haiti.

“We can use the shoes taking up space in your closet to change the world one pair at a time,” said Wayne Elsey, founder and CEO of Soles4Souls, Inc. in the news release. “We need our partners in Pennsylvania to ‘step up’ and get behind our call for action. It’s one of the most simple yet profound gifts you can make, because it will greatly improve someone’s life in the most difficult of times.”
The death toll in Haiti continues to rise, and survivors and rescuers are facing dire health conditions, including stifling heat, lack of clean water, broken glass and raw sewage.

“There are hurting people throughout the world,” said John Dutrey, owner of Dutrey’s Shoes, “and shoes provide protection, comfort and relief. We all have several pairs in our closet that we can share with the less fortunate.”

For more information on how to get involved with this shoe drive and take advantage of the discount, contact Dutrey’s Shoes at 249-4839.

Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects and distributes shoes free of charge to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 5.5 million pairs of new and gently-worn shoes.

The kids shoes have been distributed to people in over 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States.

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