‘Tis the season, right? Presents and parties, friends and family...
new outfits and shoes to match, of course!
But ‘tis also the season for giving back, helping those less fortunate,
and generally making the world a better place.
And since we’re all shoe lovers, here are some charities that should
speak to us this holiday season:
Project Sole is a nonprofit
organization that raises desperately needed funds for schools and civic
organizations while distributing shoes to impoverished and disaster-stricken
communities throughout the world. (I
actually donated a pair of my old sneakers to Project Sole when I ran the Run
for Your Lives 5K in October.) Host a shoe
drive at your office; send them a pair you no longer need... learn more here.
Soles4Souls is collects shoes
from the warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you,
then distributes these shoes to people in need, regardless of race, religion,
class, or any other criteria. Since
2005, Soles4Souls has delivered over 19 million pairs of new and gently worn
shoes. The shoes have been distributed
to people in over 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the
United States. Host a shoe drive,
sponsor a pair of shoes, drop off a pair of your shoes at one of the locations
around the Philly area, host an online fundraiser... there are many ways to get involved.
Maybe you’re short on sneakers,
but have high heels. The Career
Wardrobe one is one of my favorites:
Since 1995, Career Wardrobe has
served women in Philadelphia with the clothing, career skills, and confidence
necessary to transition to work. In that time, we have helped nearly 75,000
women on their journeys to independence.
The Dressing and Image Consultation Program provides women with the resources
they need to increase their self-confidence and prepare them to market themselves
in their job search (professional clothing and beauty products, resume review
and interviewing skills, etc.). The Gateway
to Success Educational Program is their ongoing educational and networking
support for continued growth and development. You can donate money, clothing, or
accessories... and if you’re a large-footed lady like me, they’re especially
looking for shoes size 9 and up!
And if you’d like a new pair of
shoes for yourself (or for a friend) to go with your donation, there’s always
TOMS—with every pair of shoes purchased, a pair goes to a
child in need. How about these
festive ones?
These red glitter flats have a
cushioned suede insole, arch insert for extra support, a one-piece outsole, and
holiday cheer to spare! Get them at TOMS for $54 and enjoy
the happy spirit that doing good (and glitter) brings.
Helping those in need? That's always Santa- (and Shoe Fairy-) approved.
Sales this weekend:
Sorry ladies; the Shoe Fairy is away at a work event and couldn't check the sales for you. Her sale sense is tingling, however-- it's only 10 days until Christmas, so I'm betting there are sales everywhere!
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