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Fernie Soles4Souls Shoe Drive
Attention anyone with a closet: Those shoes you no longer wear are desperately needed to fight the human tragedy of global poverty.
That’s the message being delivered by non-profit race organizers Fernie Tears & Gears, in partnership with Fernie Red Tree Lodge, who are co-hosting a shoe drive to collect as many shoes as possible between October 1 and December 1.
Soles4Souls is a non-profit global social enterprise committed to fighting poverty through the collection and distribution of shoes and clothing. With over 1.2 billion people living on less than $1.25 a day, 400 million of which are children, many don’t have access to one of life’s basic necessities: a good pair of shoes.
Founded in 2006, Soles4Souls has distributed more than 26 million pairs of shoes in 127 countries. In a hugely active community like Fernie, and no place large enough to handle the volume of shoes looking for a new home, it’s of the belief Fernie can make a difference. From runners to flats, winter boots to sandals and everything in between, shoes can be of any type and any size, they just need to be in good working order and a matching pair.
Fernie Tears & Gears is supporting Soles4Souls because it is the definition of a social enterprise where solid business practices are used to create positive change in people’s lives. As a strong supporter of Soles4Souls’ anti-poverty mission, Tears & Gears and The Red Tree hope to take a big step in providing the organization with the used shoes they require to keep making a difference for people in need.
The simple truth is that almost anyone with a closet has shoes they don’t wear, or an old pair that will just end up in a landfill. It’s time to find them a new home.
Below are the upcoming drop-off locations in Fernie:
Between October 1 and December 1, bring your used shoes of any kind to:
Red Tree Lodge – 1101 7th Ave, Fernie – www.redtreelodge.com
Additional collection boxes are currently located at:
Crossfit Fernie – 902 6th Ave, Fernie – www.crossfitfernie.com
Fernie School Aged Care – 51 2nd Ave, Fernie – www.fernieschoolagedcare.com
On Sunday October 4, bring your shoes to:
The Fernie Half Marathon – www.ferniehalfmarathon.com. There will be a truck at the start/finish area, where you can drop off your shoes!
We hope to have more drop-off locations in coming weeks. So if you’re an event or organization which is happy to help collect shoes, please get in touch (see below).
Please ensure shoes are still in good working order and are a matching pair, tied together with either the laces, or an elastic band.
For more information of Fernie’s Shoe Drive, please contact Abi Moore at 250-423-0997, [email protected]. Or check out www.fernietearsandgears.com or “Fernie Soles4Souls Shoe Drive” event on Facebook.
About Fernie Tears & Gears
Fernie Tears & Gears is a non-profit race organization, hosting two races a year: Fernie Tears & Gears –Trail Running and Mountain Biking, in September, and the T&G Winter Wheezer – Snowshoeing and Nordic Skiing, in February. Designed to test the abilities, determination and strength of participants, while also celebrating the amazing terrain and trails available in Fernie. Since the first race in 2010, Tears & Gears has consistently grown, with an increasing number of competitors, volunteers and sponsors coming on board every year. Please visit www.fernietearsandgears.com for more information.
About Soles4Souls
Soles4Souls is a not for profit global social enterprise committed to fighting the devastating impact and perpetuation of poverty. The organization advances its anti-poverty mission by collecting new and used shoes and clothes from individuals, schools, faith-based institutions, civic organizations and corporate partners, then distributing those shoes and clothes both via direct donations to people in need and by provisioning qualified micro-enterprise programs designed to create jobs in poor and disadvantaged communities. Since it began, Soles4Souls has distributed more than 26 million pairs of shoes in 127 countries. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Soles4Souls is committed to the highest standards of operating and governance, and holds a four-star rating with Charity Navigator. Please visit www.soles4souls.org for more information.
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