DSW Inc. Announces Finalists in Its Shoe Lovers Care Philanthropic Program

COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- DSW Inc. (NYSE: DSW), the leading branded footwear and accessories retailer, is giving back to the community once again through its Shoe Lovers Care Leave Your Mark program. After reviewing almost 200 nonprofit organizations that were nominated by DSW employees nationwide, the popular retailer has selected 7 finalists: Alzheimer's Association, ASPCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, Furniture Bank of Central Ohio, Girls Inc. of Orange County, LifeCare Alliance, and Stop Hunger Now. The organization ultimately with the most votes will be awarded a $75,000 donation through the Shoe Lovers Care Leave Your Mark program.

From March 28 through April 10, 2014, DSW employees nominated non-profit organizations they are personally passionate about supporting. Now it's up to Shoe Lovers everywhere to vote for the one they feel is most deserving of the grant money. Voters can visit www.shoeloverscare.com from June 6 through June 24 to learn about these charities. Results of the Shoe Lovers Care Leave Your Mark program will be announced at the end of July. The finalists include:

Alzheimer's Association, whose mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health, nominated by Patti Gilligan from Delaware, Ohio.

ASPCA, is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States, nominated by Carrie Mokros from Columbus, Ohio.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, whose mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally-supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever, nominated by Tabatha Peterson of Columbus, Ohio.

Furniture Bank of Central Ohio, whose mission is to provide free furniture to its central Ohio neighbors struggling to furnish their own homes as a result of severe poverty and other significant life challenges, nominated by Seaver Trafford of Columbus, Ohio.

Girls Inc. of Orange County, whose mission is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold, nominated by Patrick Ergina of Irvine, California.

LifeCare Alliance, whose mission is to lead our community in identifying and delivering health and nutrition services to meet the community's changing needs, nominated by Katie Whitney of Columbus, Ohio.

Stop Hunger Now, whose mission is to end hunger in our lifetime by providing food and life-saving aid to the world's most vulnerable and by creating a global commitment to mobilize the necessary resources, nominated by Vamsi Bezwada of Columbus, Ohio.

About DSW Inc.

DSW Inc. is a leading branded footwear and accessories retailer that offers a wide selection of brand name and designer dress, casual and athletic footwear and accessories for women, men and kids. As of June 6, 2014, DSW Inc. will operate 410 DSW stores in 42 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and operates an e-commerce site, http://www.dsw.com, and a mobile website, http://m.dsw.com. DSW Inc. also supplies footwear to 360 leased locations in the United States under the Affiliated Business Group. For store locations and additional information about DSW, visit http://www.dswinc.com.

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SOURCE DSW Inc.