La Canada-based Sport Chalet is teaming with the charity Soles4Souls to provide shoes to victims of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Sport Chalet is collecting shoes to support Soles4Souls' commitment to donate footwear to the affected areas.
Beginning Friday, customers at Sport Chalet's 55 stores can drop off a slightly worn pair of shoes. All donations will directly support relief efforts.
"After the devastation that we witnessed with Haiti, we were able to collect and ship over 1 million pairs of shoes to the victims of that tragedy," said David Hacker of Sport Chalet.
"So, of course, after the earthquake and tsunami happened in Japan, our initial reaction was to once again do our part and offer customers at our 55 locations an opportunity to affect the lives of the suffering through the mission of Soles4Souls," he said. "And with the threat of a tsunami coming so close to home, it is a natural response for Sport Chalet to offer our resources to help those who have been affected by this disaster."
Soles4Souls has partnered with other organizations on the ground in Asia to transport and distribute the aid to the victims in need in Japan.
Soles4Souls, which was founded after the Asian tsunami in 2004, has continued to respond to natural disasters like the one in Japan by collecting and distributing footwear for victims.
"As we keep those affected by the tsunami in our thoughts, we cannot forget how important basic necessities -- such as shoes -- will be for our friends in Japan," said Wayne Elsey, founder and CEO of Soles4Souls.
For more information on how to get involved and donate to the victims in Japan, visit www.giveshoes.org.
