On the heels of successful impact in Nicaragua, Share Your Soles packs their container again… This time headed for Nigeria, Africa
Chicago, IL (8/2/2011) Chicago based non-profit organization, Share Your Soles, has recently returned to the United States after a trip to Nicaragua. Working with Fabretto Children’s Foundation, a charity focused on serving impoverished Nicaraguan schools in the local communities, Share Your Soles was able to provide shoes to children where it is needed most. In many underdeveloped countries children are not allowed to attend school without wearing shoes. During the course of this trip, 3500 pairs of shoes were distributed to those in need.“This trip was beyond amazing. It’s not everyday that you have the opportunity to make an impact in regions that are sometimes forgotten,” noted Share Your Soles founder Mona Purdy. “It was wonderful to collaborate with Fabretto to provide shoes to those who are truly in need. I would like to thank American Airlines, our long-time travel sponsor, for their continued support. It was an honor to be accompanied by one of American Airlines Vice Presidents to assist in shoe distribution.”
Share Your Soles will continue it’s work in the upcoming weeks with a 40-foot shipping container being dropped at the Share Your Soles loading dock in Alsip, Illinois. The container is marked for delivery to Nigeria, Africa and will be filled with not only shoes, but with walking aides such as canes, crutches, wheelchairs and walkers, hospital beds, bicycles and soccer balls. Nigeria is one of many countries that suffer from economic imbalance and Share Your Soles is excited to reach the rural communities that will benefit the most.
Share Your Soles founder Mona Purdy has also set the bar high for the upcoming months. Purdy has committed to raise over $100,000 for Share Your Soles as an official contributing charity to the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 9th. As a contributing charity, both Purdy and the Share Your Soles team is looking forward to raising much needed funds to focus on their global agenda and expand their efforts through one of the world’s largest marathons that draws international participation. This will be the first time the Share Your Soles team, Running With A Purpose, is participating in the event. “As an individual participant in the race I have set the goal to raise $100,000 in sponsorships and will shoot for the Mayor Daley Award. This is my first full marathon and I am thrilled to see all of the support and additional Share Your Soles participation in this year’s event,” continued Purdy in a recent interview. For the second consecutive year, Share Your Soles will be collecting shoes at both the pre-race Expo as well as at the race site.
For more information on corporate and individual sponsorships for Mona Purdy and the Share Your Soles participants in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, please contact Chris Foltz at 312-772-4865, or via email at chris@christopherfoltz.com. For more information on Share Your Soles and to make a direct online sponsorship pledge and for information on participating in local shoe drives, fundraising, and SYS sponsored events please visit www.ShareYourSoles.org or call (708) 448-4469.
