Who would have thought that just by doing a little spring cleaning in your closet you could help change the world? The people at Soles4Souls™ had just that idea.

            In 2004 just after the tsunami devastated coastal communities around the Indian Ocean, a loosely-knit group of individuals and organizations came together to assist in the recovery effort by providing one of the most basic needs for people who have lost everything…shoes. By the time Katrina hit our own gulf coast, the group was more organized and through their efforts almost a million pairs of shoes were collected to help those in Louisiana and Mississippi.

            You can help with efforts to aid victims around the world by bringing your gently-used or new shoes to the Mast General Store now through May 31st.  “We saw this as a great opportunity to involve both our employees and our home communities,” said Fred Martin, vice president of the Mast General Store. “Most of us have shoes that are just taking up space in the bottom of our closets. Why shouldn’t they go to help those in need?”

            This is the second year for the Soles4Souls shoe drive at Mast Store. Last year’s efforts garnered over 2,000 pairs of shoes. Representatives from Soles4Souls commented that they had never seen such a successful retailer-driven shoe drive.

            Soles4Souls can use just about any type of shoe – boots, sandals, dress shoes, work boots, etc. They should be gently-used or new. Bind them together with rubber bands and place them in the Soles4Souls collection boxes at any Mast Store location now until May 31st.
 
            For more information, call the Mast General Store in Boone (828-262-0000) or Valle Crucis (828-963-6511) or visit www.Soles4Souls.org