Local Fire Departments Collecting Shoes for Those in Need
Racine's local fire departments are collecting shoes for an innovative Nashville based charity, Soles4Souls. And you have a chance to help out!
Most people likely take something as simple as a pair of shoes for granted. For those who are lucky enough to have them, people depend on their feet without much of a thought. But for those who have experienced tragedy, devastation and poverty, they likely realize the great benefit of protective footwear.
Soles4Souls, founded by Wayne Elsey, also recognized this need while watching news footage following the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia. The image of one, lone shoe washing upon land created a light bulb moment for Elsey.
Elsey contacted executives in the footwear industry and they stepped up to the plate and over 250,000 shoes were donated to the devastated area. Since then, Sole4Souls has donated over 14 million shoes to those in need. Those shoes have helped the people of over 127 countries since the organization’s inception.
Elsey shared with WTMJ-4’s Morning Blend, “There are still over 300 million children who don’t have shoes, if you can believe that!”
Soles4Souls continues to collect shoes for victims of all kinds of suffering. A Nashville based charity, Sole4Souls receives new and used shoes from warehouses of shoe companies, individuals, churches, schools and many others donators.
And now is your chance to participate!
Local fire departments will be taking part in a shoe drive October 10th – 14th. They will be collecting shoes at all the stations. Soles4Souls accepts all and any type of new or gently used shoes. They even accept singletons! All shoes will be sorted and distributed appropriately.
So gather up your ignored kicks and don’t forget the shoes barely used by your rapidly growing children. Bring them to one of Racine’s local fire stations and know that you did your part in helping make this wonderful charity a continuing success.
Caledonia Fire Stations are located:
- 6900 Nicholson Rd. Caledonia
- 6040 Douglas Ave.
- 9433 Northwestern Ave.
South Shore Fire stations are located:
- 2801 89th St. Sturtevant
- 3900 Old Green Bay Rd.
- 9433 Northwestern Ave.
