The Soles 4 Souls Flippin' Good Deeds Challenge

Traveler for Good's Happy Feet

For most of us here in the US, going without shoes is considered a treat.   You get home from work and you kick off your shoes.   You dream of a tropical vacation where you can lie on the beach and swim in the sea.  Swim up bars and beach restaurants are shoe optional.  Kenny Chesney's "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem" and the Zac Brown Band's "Toes" are your theme songs.   

We wear shoes so often that we take them for granted.  And we're lucky.   Elsewhere in the world shoes are a prized possession.   Little kids in Haiti or Tanzania may only have one pair.   And if they don't?  They can't go to school.   Imagine going for a job interview barefoot.   Do you think you'd get the job?  Shoes also provide safety: what if you step on a nail or drop a box?  Shoes protect us from the snow, the rain, illness and things that go bump in the night. 

As you may know, I enjoy travel and community service.   Here's your chance to do both, just by cleaning out your closet.   Your "pre-loved" shoes can have the trip of a lifetime, traveling to a child or adult in need, here in the US or around the world.  Imagine last years tennis shoes being worn by someone walking to work.   The cute shoes you daughter outgrew in about 30 seconds being worn by a little girl on her first day of school.  

  

I am participating in the Flippin' Good Deeds Challenge which is sponsored by Soles 4 Souls and Flip Flop Wines.   And I would love for you to donate shoes for this project.

Traveler's 6 Step Guide to being a Flippin' Good Person!   

1.   Gather your pre-loved shoes.   Tie each pair together, either with the shoelaces or with a rubber band (or a vintage scrunchie - your choice).

2.  If you have fewer than 10 pairs, you can donate them at a local drop off location.   Click here to search for one near you.

3.  If you have more than 10 pairs or would rather ship your shoe donation, please ship them to one of the Soles 4 Souls warehouses.   Click here for the addresses.  If you ship a box, please include the form from #4 (below) in the box as well.

4.  Whether you drop off your shoes or ship them, please fill out THIS FORM and email it to the Donor Services Guru at Soles 4 Souls, LaCita Mason (lacitam@giveshoes.org).   If faxing is your style, you can fax the form to 615-391-5730.    This form has my blog address on it (travelerforgood.blogspot.com) as well as my blogger ID for this challenge (ID #040). 

5.  Oooh, we're getting close to the end of the year....do you want a tax receipt?  Here you go!

6.  Give yourself a big hug.  Or grab somebody sexy and tell them "hey."  Your gift of shoes has made a difference for someone in need. 

You may be a flippin' good person all year, and I hope you are.   However, the deadline for all shoes to have been received and processed by Soles 4 Souls for this particular challenge is November 15.       

To learn more about Soles 4 Souls, the work that they do, and how you can get involved, please watch this short video.