Allen Edmonds, The Great American Shoe Company, and 100 Retailers Partner with Soles4Souls® in National Fundraising Effort to Provide New and 'Gently Worn' Shoes for People in Need

PORT WASHINGTON, Wis., Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Allen Edmonds, the U.S.-based manufacturer of premium men's footwear and accessories, today announced that it will again partner with Soles4Souls® Inc. in a national shoe drive from February 21 through March 4 to donate new and "gently worn" shoes to victims of war, natural disasters and people living in poverty in the U.S. and around the globe. 

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Joining Allen Edmonds this year are more than 100 U.S. retailers in one of the largest, most streamlined efforts to help Soles4Souls provide shoes to the estimated 300 million children and 1.5 million adults across the world without a single pair of shoes.  To date, Allen Edmonds and its customers have donated over 16,000 pairs of shoes to the Soles4Souls mission.

"This is a convenient and impactful way for people to touch the lives of others across the globe," said Paul Grangaard, President and CEO of Allen Edmonds.  "Our customers were enthusiastic about the Soles 4 Souls program last year.  We are touched by how deeply people cared, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to expand our involvement with Soles4Souls this year."

Retailers Serve as Local Shoe Depositories
Under the Allen Edmonds effort, Allen Edmonds retail and outlet stores and select Allen Edmonds dealers collect shoes donated by customers for shipment to Soles4Souls.  As a thank you, customers receive an immediate $35 discount on a new pair of Allen Edmonds business or casual shoes. No purchase is necessary to donate shoes so consumers are encouraged to clean out their closets and donate a pair of the estimated 300 million pairs of shoes that lay idle in American closets.

"We're proud that Allen Edmonds remains a committed and enthusiastic partner in our cause," said Wayne Elsey, founder and CEO of Soles4Souls.  "Their ability to enlist and coordinate the participation of more than 100 retailers in this effort is nothing short of extraordinary.  The global need for shoe donations continues to grow, and we're grateful that Allen Edmonds has again stepped up to support our mission." 

To execute this promotion online at www.allenedmonds.com, we are adopting a pay-it-forward "honor code" concept by having consumers enter the word "honor" in a promotion code box at checkout to apply the $35 thank you discount.  Every shipment of Allen Edmonds shoes will contain a pre-paid shipping label and instructional card for the consumer to send back gently worn shoes directly to the Soles4Souls distribution facility.

Customers can also make a financial donation at www.soles4souls.org. For every dollar donated, Soles4Souls will provide a person in need with a pair of shoes. Visit www.allenedmonds.com/soles4souls to learn more and find a participating retailer near you.

About Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation
Founded in 1922, Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation is a privately-held, U.S.-based manufacturer of premium men's footwear and accessories. Taking shoemaking to the level of an art form, Allen Edmonds footwear is handcrafted in Port Washington, Wis., using a 212-step production process. Allen Edmonds products are available at upscale stores worldwide, including 38 Allen Edmonds stores across the United States, and online at www.allenedmonds.com.

About Soles4Souls®, Clothes4Souls®, and Hope4Souls™
Soles4Souls collects new shoes to give relief to the victims of abject suffering and collects used shoes to support micro-enterprise efforts to eradicate poverty.  Soles4Souls' other two divisions, Clothes4Souls and Hope4Souls, provide the same relief and support through clothing and other necessities. Donating parties are eligible for tax advantages.  Visit www.giveshoes.org, www.clothes4souls.org, or www.hope4souls.org for more information.   

SOURCE Allen Edmonds