Sport Chalet (Shoe Donation Collection Site - 2010 Haiti Earthquake) - (Partnered w/Soles4Souls & Operation Compassion)

STORE LOCATOR: http://www.sportchalet.com/category/about+us/store+locations.do
SOLES4SOULS Website: http://www.soles4souls.org/
OPERATION COMPASSION Website: http://www.operationcompassion.org/

Help for Haiti: Sport Chalet collects shoes for earthquake victims
Sport Chalet collects shoes for earthquake victims
By Kevin Smith Staff Writer
Posted: 01/18/2010 08:17:50 PM PST

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE - Shoppers usually go into a Sport Chalet to buy shoes.

But in recent days the company's 55 stores have been deluged with visitors dropping off used shoes to be given to victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

"I've heard that we already have in excess of 68,000 pairs of donated shoes - and we only started this on Friday," said Jacqueline Collard, Sport Chalet's senior marketing manager. "It's been overwhelming. We weren't quite sure what to expect, and the interest level has been far more than we expected."

The La Canada Flintridge-based retail chain is working with Soles4Souls, a Nashville charity that is committed to collecting and donating more than 250,000 pairs of gently-used shoes to Haiti's earthquake victims.

The organization has partnered with Operation Compassion, a charity that mobilizes support for victims of natural disasters around the world, to transport and distribute the aid.

Thirty containers of supplies, including work boots, rain boots, children's athletic shoes and clothing items, are already en route to Haiti.

And the need is critical.

On Monday, the death toll from the quake was estimated to be as high as 200,000, as emergency workers, U.S. troops and others sifted through the debris in search of survivors.

Visitors to any Sport Chalet store will be able to drop off shoes through Jan. 31.

Wayne Elsey, founder and CEO of Soles4Souls, said Sport Chalet is providing help when the need is crucial.
"We deeply appreciate the support of Sport Chalet and their customers in helping us provide shoes to survivors and volunteers as they work in horrific conditions," he said.

Craig Levra, Sport Chalet's chairman and CEO, said Southern California lives under the same threat of serious earthquakes, so it was a natural response for the company to help.

"Being reminded of how fragile our world is, and seeing the devastation that has affected so many, makes it evident that our continued partnership with charities like Soles4Souls is more relevant than ever," Levra said in a statement.

Sport Chalet has placed the donation bins in the front of its stores to make shoppers well aware of the campaign.

"We've had to empty the bins, put the shoes in back and then bring the bins back up several times," Collard said. "People have just been super generous. When they buy new shoes they put their old ones there. And we've had tons of interest from other groups that have gone out to gather up shoes from the community and leave them with us."

Collard said the retailer was initially planning to send the donated shoes to Soles4Souls' Las Vegas facility. But so many shoes have been collected that they may have to be shipped directly to the charity's Tennessee headquarters.

"We still have to work out some of the logistics," she said. "But this is nice and it feels good."

SPORTS CHALET NEVADA LOCATIONS:

HENDERSON, NV
Sunmark Plaza
701 Marks St.
Henderson, NV 89014
Phone: (702) 451-1211
Fax: (702) 451-5504
Monday - Friday: 9:30am - 9:30pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am - 7:00pm

LAS VEGAS, NV
Arroyo Market Square
7230 Arroyo Crossing Pkwy.
Las Vegas, NV 89113
Phone: (702) 263-6756
Fax: (702) 614-9469
Monday - Friday: 9:30am - 9:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am - 9:30pm
Sunday: 10:00am - 7:00pm

LAS VEGAS, NV
Crossroads Commons
8825 W. Charleston Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89117
Phone: (702) 255-7570
Fax: (702) 341-9450
Monday - Friday: 9:30am - 9:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am - 9:30pm
Sunday: 10:00am - 7:00pm