TOPEKA, Kan., Nov. 4, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Airwalk, a leader in
youth lifestyle footwear and apparel, is teaming up with Payless to
democratize a new shoe-giving program to help those in need with
the launch of The Good Shoe Project. Whenever a
customer purchases the exclusive Airwalk Hope shoe for $19.99 at Payless between Dec. 15, 2010, through Feb. 14, 2011, the retailer commits to giving a
free pair of kids' shoes to a child in need in Central America through a new alliance with
humanitarian organization World Vision.
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"The Airwalk brand is thrilled to be at the center of The
Good Shoe Project with the Hope shoe that allows shoppers to
help Payless continue its efforts to give the gift of shoes -- and
hope -- to children that need it the most," said Bruce Pettet, CEO of Collective Licensing
International, owner of the Airwalk brand. "The timing for
this program is perfect for the upcoming holiday -- the shoe is
cool and on-trend and makes a special holiday gift that gives back
in more ways than one. Our Airwalk partner athlete, pro
surfer Anastasia Ashley, is also
supporting this important Airwalk initiative by giving away 30
pairs of the Hope shoe at her annual beach cleanup in Oahu sponsored by the Surfrider Foundation.
And to inspire consumers to have fun wearing the shoes any
day of the week with a variety of looks for the beach, work, or
just hanging out, each week during the promotion Anastasia will
post a photo online showing off an outfit featuring the Hope
shoes."
To check out Ashley's weekly "Hope shoe looks," go the Anastasia
Ashley Facebook fan page.
The sleek canvas slip-on style is available in women's sizing
5-11 in five cool colors including tan, denim, red, black and camo
print. The Airwalk Hope shoe will retail for $19.99 in Payless stores and Payless.com
beginning December 15, 2010.
Through this two-month sales event held at Payless.com and
all Payless stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto
Rico, the retailer said it will donate, at minimum, 100,000
pairs of free children's shoes to be distributed next year to
children in need in El Salvador,
Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Guatemala. The retailer said it expects
shopper interest in this shoe-giving program to be strong and that
it expects to donate more than the minimum pairs.
"We are pleased to partner with our new partner, World Vision,
and our long-time brand partner, Airwalk, on The Good Shoe
Project. This giving program was created in direct
response to feedback from our shoppers, who told us that they are
passionate about helping others and want to join us in our shoe
giving efforts," said LuAnn Via, CEO
of Payless ShoeSource. "All our philanthropic programs are
aimed at democratizing giving – we work hard to make it affordable
and easy for customers to help support causes important to them.
For every pair of Airwalk Hope shoes purchased over the
two-month period, shoppers can feel good because not only are they
getting this great style at a great price, but they will be helping
us place a pair of children's shoes on the feet of a child in need
– a gift that is truly impactful for both the giver and the
recipient."
The Good Shoe Project is a strong complement to the
Payless Gives Shoes 4 Kids giving program that was first
launched by the retailer in 2008. Over the past two years
during the December holiday, Payless has given away a total of
$2.2 million in free shoes to
children in need in the U.S., Canada and in 10 Latin American countries
through this initiative. Payless started Payless Gives
in direct response to the recession to reach those most in need and
to do so through local nonprofit agencies most directly in touch
with them. Through this grass-roots campaign, Payless was
joined by more than 750 nonprofits located across the U.S.,
Canada and Latin America to give children of families in
need a free pair of shoes. The retailer distributes free shoe
coupons redeemable at any Payless store to the various nonprofits,
who then distribute the coupons to their clients. In
addition to a gift of shoes, the children also get to experience a
shoe shopping trip to pick out their own shoes. Payless will
once again conduct Payless Gives for holiday 2010; nonprofit
partner applicants can apply at www.paylessgives.com through
Nov. 5.
Gift of Shoes, Self Confidence
A striking number of children across the globe don't have shoes.
The lack of shoes can lead to poor health and injury and the
resulting health risks can often cause children to miss school and
social play, hindering their overall learning and social
development. Many schools in rural areas across Central America require shoes and kids that
don't have shoes miss out on education. Shoes in general
also have an immense emotional benefit and can enhance self
confidence in children, also aiding in their proper development and
growth.
"Although badly needed, shoes are an unfamiliar luxury for many
children in these countries, especially in rural villages," said
David Owens, World Vision's vice
president of corporate development. "Shoes can improve a
child's overall health and well-being and bolster self-esteem.
Shoes can open the door to education in remote areas. Kids
can play, run and jump because they know their feet are protected.
Ultimately, shoes have the power to change a child's point of
view from poverty to potential.
We are delighted to partner with Payless ShoeSource and its
generous customers to provide shoes to children who would otherwise
go barefoot or be forced to wear threadbare shoes. We look
forward to seeing the positive impact on these children and their
communities when we distribute these shoes to the children."
For more information about the project including details about
the children's shoes Payless will donate, please visit
www.goodshoeproject.com. To buy the Hope shoe go to www.payless.com
or any Payless store in the U.S., Canada and Puerto
Rico.
Payless Democratizes Giving, Focuses on Children and
Families
For six years, Payless has established formal philanthropic
programs to support important causes by selling on-trend items and
making them accessible at affordable price points and then
partnering with shoppers, often donating 100 percent of the net
profits from item sales, to a nonprofit partner. Through such
programs, Payless supports breast cancer awareness and is a member
of the $1 Million Council with
Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
The retailer celebrates Black History Month and Hispanic
Heritage Month by establishing the Payless Inspiring Possibilities
Scholarships with the National Urban League and Hispanic
Scholarship Foundation, respectively, to support the higher
education of America's minority youth. Payless supports inner city
youth in New York City with its
Friendship Shoe program with proceeds benefiting The Fresh Air
Fund, which provides free summer vacations to underprivileged
children living in the New York
City area. These are among the Payless and Collective
Brands, Inc. giving programs.
About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated
to working with children, families and their communities worldwide
to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and
injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion,
race, ethnicity or gender. To learn more, please see
www.worldvision.org; press can go to the World Vision press center
at www.worldvision.org/press.
About Payless & Collective Brands, Inc.
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
2010, the company operated nearly 4,500 stores. In addition,
customers can buy shoes over the Internet through Payless.com® at
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 nearly 4,500-store
retail chain, with its brands Airwalk(R), Dexter(R), Champion(R),
Zoe & Zac(TM), the first-ever affordable green footwear brand,
and designer collections Lela Rose
for Payless, Unforgettable Moments by Lela
Rose, Christian Siriano for
Payless, Patricia Field for Payless,
Isabel Toledo for Payless and STPL x
Airwalk, among others; Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle
Group, focused on lifestyle and performance 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), Above The Rim(TM), Vision Street Wear(R),
STRIKEFORCE(TM), Clinch Gear(TM), Sims(R), Lamar(R) and LTD(R),
World Snowboarding Championships(TM) and Hind (R). Information
about, and links for shopping on, each of the Collective Brand's
units can be found at www.collectivebrands.com.
SOURCE Payless ShoeSource