Senator-Doctor Bill Frist's Hope Through Healing Hands joins Soles4Souls to provide shoes for Central American, South American, and Caribbean children living in extreme poverty

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Hope Through Healing Hands (HTHH), a nonprofit founded by former Senator Bill Frist, M.D., has announced a partnership with Nashville-based Soles4Souls to bring aid to children living in extreme poverty in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

Soles4Souls, an international charity that has distributed over 6 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes to people in need, both in the United States and around the world, has set up a website: www.hopeshoes.org to provide more information and to reserve sponsorships for new shoes.

"Shoes are integral to combating neglected tropical diseases, like podoconiosis and other soil-transmitted diseases, which disable, disfigure, and cause death to over 1.4 billion people around the world. Shoes are also necessary as a part of the school uniform in many countries. When a child living in extreme poverty receives a pair of shoes, you are offering her the opportunity for better health and an education," stated Dr. Frist.

"We are honored to partner with Hope Through Healing Hands to benefit thousands of needy children in Central and South America," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. "Hope4Schools is a program that aims to give needy children the attire needed to attend public schools. A pair of new shoes is a simple way to provide access to an education and a better life for so many children," he said.

One out of five people living in the world today survive on less than $1 per day. Over 20% of our fellow human beings are categorized as living in extreme poverty -- without electricity, running water or adequate clothing. This includes footwear, which is a luxury item in many parts of the world.

Many diseases, infections and injuries are caused through cuts, abrasions and bacteria accumulated through the feet. In many developing nations, the difference between receiving an education or being refused is simply a pair of shoes, the final hurdle to gain access to school because it qualifies the child as having an adequate school uniform.

In this way, a pair of shoes is much more than a covering for one's feet -- they are a ticket to a better future.

About Hope Through Healing Hands

Hope Through Healing Hands is a Nashville-based 501(c) (3) that promotes improved quality of life for citizens and communities around the world using health as a currency for peace. HTHH supports health students and residents to do service and training in underserved clinics around the world. For more information, go to www.hopethroughhealinghands.org.

About Soles4Souls®

Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. The charity distributes these shoes free of charge to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 6 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 9 seconds). The shoes have been distributed in 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States. Soles4Souls has been featured in Runner's World, Ladies' Home Journal, National Geographic's Green Guide and The New York Times. It has appeared on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, BBC, CNN and thousands of regional news outlets across North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Visit www.giveshoes.org to offer help and receive more information.

SOURCE Soles4Souls

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http://www.hopeshoes.org