THE TRIATHLON RACERS OF IOWA ANNOUNCE
SHOE DRIVES TO BENEFIT SOLES4SOULS® Inc.,
THE SHOE CHARITY, AT MULTIPLE CENTRAL IOWA EVENTS

Triathlon participants are invited to recycle their 'gently worn' shoes for people in need

Nashville, TN – 3/19/2010 – Every 9 seconds, Soles4Souls Inc. gives away another pair of shoes to someone in need.  The shoe charity has earned glowing endorsements from Hollywood stars and professional athletes, but the people that truly make the non-profit organization effective are those who clean out their closets to personally drop off their ‘gently worn’ shoes at local events.

For a limited time, Soles4Souls and the Triathlon Racers of Iowa will be collecting your gently worn footwear and/or donations to ship the shoes to a person in need, whether they are victims of a natural disaster or subject to living in extreme poverty.  It is estimated that Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unused shoes lying in their closets.  The charity can use each and every one of these pairs to make a tangible difference in someone's life.

“We can use the shoes taking up space in your closet to change the world one pair at a time,” said Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls, Wayne Elsey.  “We need our partners in central Iowa 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,” he said.

The Triathlon Racers of Iowa, a group based out of Central Iowa, is partnering with the race directors of multiple, prominent Iowa triathlons to make an effort at collecting shoes on behalf of Soles4Souls.  Throughout the summer months, you will have the opportunity to drop off your shoe donation during one of these spectacular events:

 

Check the event websites for specifics about collection locations and times.

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

 

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 <http://www.giveshoes.org>  for more information.

For more information please contact:
Rachelle Little, Triathlon Racers of Iowa, 515-451-3473, rachelle@zealousconsulting.com
Elizabeth Kirk, Soles4Souls, 615-391-5723, elizabethk@giveshoes.org