Non-profit rolls out event plans & celebrity support to encourage public participation NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 20 /PRNewswire/ — Soles4Souls(TM) Inc., the international shoe charity
dedicated to providing a free pair of shoes to people in need, announced its schedule for Barefoot Week 2009 today. The non-profit organization will be distributing more than 50,000 pairs of new shoes in the United States while it also collects “gently worn” shoes from the general public during thousands of concurrent shoe drives at schools, churches and community centers. “We want to invite people to join hundreds of thousands of Soles4Souls supporters around the world in participating in Barefoot Week,” said Wayne Elsey, Founder & CEO of Nashville-based Soles4Souls. “Anyone can make an important difference to someone in need by starting their own shoe drive, cleaning out their closet, sending us a new pair of shoes or making a simple cash donation. Our charity thrives on the active involvement of everyday people making the decision to step up and help less fortunate people, both here in the United States and around the world,” he said. Celebrities are also lending their support of Barefoot Week in hopes of encouraging more participation with the charity’s programs. Scarlett Johansson, who previously donated 2000 pairs of new shoes from her own line of Reebok footwear, is lending her name to help raise publicity about Barefoot Week. Other celebrities, such as Antawn Jamison, Jessica Simpson, Brittany Snow, Kellie Pickler, Luke Perry, Riddick Bowe, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Chris Hope, Jeff Fisher and Tim Dunn have also voiced their support for the weeklong series of events.