TOPEKA, Kan., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading family footwear retailer,
Payless ShoeSource, announced today that there are just three days left in the
application process for non-profit organizations to join the company in the
Payless Gives Shoes 4 Kids program, a first-ever national, grass roots
initiative to give $1 million of free shoes -- through $15 gift coupons -- to
American children of families in need this holiday season.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060627/CGTU040LOGO-b)
"Our aim is to select as many charity partners as possible to help us
distribute the shoe gifts -- and hope -- to American children of families in
need this holiday season," said Matthew E. Rubel, chairman and chief executive
officer of Collective Brands, Inc., which owns Payless ShoeSource. "The
response so far among the nonprofit community has been very strong with
charities applying from all 50 states and the District of Columbia."
Payless launched the $1 million shoe-gifting program last Tuesday in
response to the economic crisis, its impact on the underprivileged, and the
significant need across America for children's shoes. Payless took a
grass-roots approach for the shoe-gifting program and plans to partner with
nonprofit organizations located across America to ensure diverse, direct,
immediate access to the children in need and as an opportunity to support
localized smaller nonprofit organizations, many of which are under-supported.
"In a tough economy, giving to charitable organizations tends to slow down
at a time when they need the support the most -- especially among the smaller
nonprofits. This is a tremendous opportunity for charities to receive these
free shoe coupons as a tool to support their local constituents in a powerful
and meaningful way."
Payless will disperse more than 65,000 $15 gift coupons to selected
partners to hand out to those they serve. Coupons are redeemable through Jan.
31, 2009, towards a pair of shoes at any of the more than 3,600 stores across
America (excluding Shopko stores).
"There are children out there with shoes that don't fit or that are worn
and tattered," said Rubel. "A new pair of shoes can lift spirits, bolster
self confidence and bring a huge smile to a child's face. We know this will
be a great gift to so many families and children. We look forward to the
partnership of nonprofits in local communities across America to help us reach
the kids."
The application process ends this Friday, 5 p.m. CST. Non-profit
organizations interested in participating can apply at
http://www.paylessgives.com by completing a short online application.
Greater Horizons, a nonprofit organization in Kansas City, is managing the
selection process based on criteria Payless and Greater Horizons jointly
developed.
Payless will select as many well-suited nonprofits as possible to serve as
its partners in the significant grass roots shoe-gifting effort. The
company's goal is to select partners to blanket the nation in both urban
cities with dense populations, as well as rural regions of the United States.
An additional goal is giving the gift of free shoes in time for the
holidays. In early December, selected partners will be notified and the shoe
gift coupons will be distributed in various quantities to the partners based
on the number of constituents they serve.
About Payless
Payless ShoeSource, Inc., a unit of Collective Brands, Inc., is the
largest specialty family footwear retailer in the Western Hemisphere and is
dedicated to democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories and
inspiring fun, fashion possibilities for the family at a great value. As of
the end of second quarter 2008, the company operated more than 4,500 stores.
In addition, customers can buy shoes over the Internet through Payless.com(R)
at http://www.payless.com.
Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS) is a leader in bringing compelling
lifestyle, fashion and performance brands for footwear and related accessories
to consumers worldwide. The company operates three strategic units covering
a powerful brand portfolio, as well as multiple price points and selling
channels including retail, wholesale, ecommerce and licensing. Collective
Brands, Inc. includes Payless ShoeSource, focused on democratizing fashion and
design in footwear and accessories through its more than 4,500-store retail
chain, with its brands American Eagle(TM), Airwalk(R), Dexter(R), Champion(R)
and designer collections Abaete for Payless, Lela Rose for Payless and alice +
olivia for Payless, among others; Stride Rite, focused on lifestyle and
athletic branded footwear and high-quality children's footwear sold primarily
through wholesaling, with its brands including Stride Rite(R), Keds(R), Sperry
Top-Sider(R), Robeez(R), and Saucony(R), among others; and Collective
Licensing International, the brand development, management and global
licensing unit, with such youth lifestyle brands as Airwalk(R), Vision Street
Wear(R), Sims(R), Lamar(R) and LTD(R), World Snowboarding Championships(TM),
Sugarboards(R), Carve(R), genetic(R), Dukes(TM), Rage(R), Ultra-Wheels(R), and
Skate Attack(R) brands. Information about, and links for shopping on, each of
the Collective Brand's units can be found at http://www.collectivebrands.com.
About Greater Horizons
Greater Horizons helps donors across the entire Kansas and Missouri region
connect with local and national charitable causes and encourages donors, no
matter where they live, to reconnect with causes in their hometown.
