Soles4Souls, Inc international shoe charity to appear on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
(December 8, 2009) Soles4Souls, the shoe charity dedicated to giving shoes to people in need, will be featured prominently on an upcoming episode of ABC’s hit television show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. In the episode, the charity is helping a devoted mom who is trying to provide for her family by giving back to her community with the gift of shoes.
Delores Powell, a Jamaican immigrant who moved to United States in search of the American dream, has struggled to make ends meet. After becoming a US citizen, she and her four children moved to Buffalo, NY in 2002 in search of affordable housing. After a year of living in an apartment, Dolores found what she believed was the jackpot: a six bedroom “fixer upper.” The seller failed to mention the home was on the city’s demolition list and as a result, Delores had to beg the city for leniency. They agreed, and she has spent the last five and half years repairing it, but the home is still unlivable.
Despite all of the trials, Delores still finds time to volunteer in her community through a local grassroots non-profit called “PUSH Buffalo,” that works to rebuild and improve the West Side of Buffalo.
“We are honored to be a part of such a unique and inspirational story,” said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. “To be able to share in the show’s message of hope and see a community touched by a woman who needed help herself is a true testament to how one person can make a difference.”
People and companies interested in partnering with Soles4Souls can visit the organization’s website at www.giveshoes.org and follow the instructions.
About Soles4Souls
Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. The charity distributes these 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 (currently donating one pair every 9 seconds.) The shoes have been distributed to people in over 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States. Soles4Souls has been featured in Runner's World, Ladies’ Home Journal, National Geographic’s Green Guide and The New York Times. It has appeared on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, BBC, CNN and thousands of regional news outlets across North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Anyone can join our cause, and we need your help. Visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.
-- Posted December 9, 2009