Annual Shoe Drive for Foster Kids
For Immediate Release
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Annual Sleep Train Shoe Drive Makes a Stride for Foster Children
Collecting 3,735 Pairs of Shoes, Company Celebrates Ongoing Increase in Donations from Community; Kicks off Clothing Drive for Foster Kids
SACRAMENTO – June 1, 2010 – Sleep Train, the number one mattress retailer on the West Coast, completed its third annual shoe drive for area foster children, collecting a total of 3,735 pairs of shoes in various sizes – up more than 10‐percent from 2009. One of the six drives the company hosts as part of its Sleep Train Foster Kids program, the shoe drive strives to ensure that every child in foster care has shoes that fit properly and are free from holes and extensive wear and tear.
“For children who have very little, the joy of getting something new is immeasurable – even an item that many of us take for granted like a new pair of shoes,” said Carol Ihlenburg of the Marin Foster Parent Association. “We’re grateful for the support of our community and companies like Sleep Train who are actively working to help make a positive change in the lives of the foster children in our area. Donating a few pairs of new shoes may seem like a small gesture, but it’s these small gestures that can make a big difference in the lives of children who have been separated from their families and are living in foster care.”
In California, there are nearly 80,000 children living in foster care. These children are often removed from their homes with only the clothes on their back. The Sleep Train Foster Kids program is designed to provide support to foster children and their families by delivering the necessary items that are costly and at times overlooked. These include, shoes, coats, clothing, pajamas, school supplies, and during the holidays – gifts.
“No child should have to wear shoes that don’t fit or aren’t supportive when they are running around on the playground,” said Terry Horsley, vice president of brand strategy, Sleep Train. “Yet, for many foster children, this may be a reality. Our foster kids program draws upon the help of our giving communities to change this heart‐wrenching picture and was successful today in making sure that more than 3,700 kids will have a new pair of shoes. “
The Sleep Train Foster Kids program is currently seeking new clothing for its clothing drive, which started Monday, May 24th and runs through July 11th. Donations of new pants, jeans, blouses, tops, sweaters, dresses, shorts, and packaged underwear and socks, in all sizes can be dropped off at any Sleep Train location. Sleep Train also offers the opportunity to donate cash online and let them do the shopping on your behalf. To find the store nearest to you, obtain more information about the current drive, or donate online, please call 1‐800‐378‐BEDS (2337).
About Sleep Train
Celebrating its 25th year in business, Sleep Train Mattress Centers is ranked the #1 mattress retailer on the West Coast, offering customers superior service by professional and knowledgeable sleep consultants and the best selection of famous brands, such as Simmons Beautyrest, Sealy Posturepedic, Tempur‐Pedic, and Serta Vera Wang, at the guaranteed lowest prices. Sleep Train’s Foster Kids program actively contributes to its community through ongoing donation drives that benefit the area’s nearly 80,000 foster children. With more than 80 retail locations throughout California, Sleep Train is Your Ticket to a Better Night’s Sleep®. For more information, please call 1‐800‐378‐BEDS.
Media Contacts:
Revolution PR for Sleep Train
Jennifer Karkar Ritchie, (206) 932‐2454, jennifer@revolutionpr.com
Aaron Hilst, (206) 355‐3506, aaron@revolutionpr.com