Payless ShoeSource Celebrates Black History Month With Third Annual Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship Program to Support the Future of African American and Other Minority Youth

TOPEKA, Kan., Jan. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of Black History Month this February, Payless ShoeSource® will continue its successful Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship program by joining together with its shoppers and the National Urban League (NUL) to raise money to support the future of African American and other minority youth.  

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Now in its third year with the program, Payless will again sell a limited-edition I Believe accessory for only $3 in more than 800 stores nationwide and Payless.com®, while supplies last, and will donate a minimum donation of $35,000 to the Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship program established with NUL.  Payless said it expects NUL to distribute about a dozen scholarships to African American and other minority youth through its signature education program, Project Ready, for the 2011-2012 academic season.

This year's limited-edition item is the I Believe bracelet, available beginning Feb. 1 in select stores and on Payless.com.  The bracelet features a red faux suede double-band bracelet anchored by a silver-toned ring inscribed with the inspiring messages "Dream" and "Believe," offset by two drop charms: a clear faceted round charm and a white medallion disc.

"Financial constraints hinder too many of our nation's youth in pursuit of their academic dreams," said LuAnn Via, president and CEO of Payless.  "Our partnership with NUL has enabled Payless to distribute scholarships to underserved youth, thereby allowing deserving students to attain their educational goals and lay the foundation for a strong future.  This philanthropic program, like so many at Payless, democratizes giving by offering on-trend items at a great price point so that more people can support the causes important to them."

To be eligible for a 2011-2012 Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship, students must be a registered Project Ready participant, and submit materials by the scholarship deadline of  March 1, 2011.  For additional information about the nomination process, please visit nul.org or the local NUL affiliate office.  

About Payless' Giving Programs

For the past 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 also celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with the Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship established with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.  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 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 third 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®, Dexter®, Champion®, 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®, Keds®, Sperry Top-Sider®, Robeez®, and Saucony®, among others; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit, with such youth lifestyle brands as Airwalk®, Above The Rim(TM), Vision Street Wear®, STRIKEFORCE(TM), Clinch Gear(TM), Sims®, Lamar® and LTD®, World Snowboarding Championships(TM) and Hind®. Information about, and links for shopping on, each of the Collective Brand's units can be found at www.collectivebrands.com.

About National Urban League

The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. Founded in 1910 and headquartered in New York City, the National Urban League spearheads the efforts of its local affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research and advocacy. Today, there are more than 100 local affiliates in 36 states and the District of Columbia, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more than 2 million people nationwide.

SOURCE Payless ShoeSource