Annual Sleep Country USA Shoe Drive Makes a Stride for Foster Children
Collecting 5,003 pairs of shoes, company celebrates ongoing increase in donations from community; kicks off clothing drive for foster kids.


SEATTLE, WA, June 22, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Sleep Country USA, the number one bedding specialist in the Northwest, completed its fifth annual shoe drive for area foster children, collecting a total of 5,003 pairs of shoes in various sizes - up more than 32 percent from 2009. One of the six drives the company hosts as part of its Sleep Country USA 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 Julie Guay, executive director of Blue Skies for Children in Bellingham, Washington. "We're grateful for the support of our community and companies like Sleep Country USA 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 Washington and Oregon there are nearly 26,000 children living in foster care. These children are often removed from their homes with only the clothes on their back. The Sleep Country USA 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 Country USA. "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 5,000 kids will have a new pair of shoes."

The Sleep Country USA Foster Kids program is currently seeking new clothing for its clothing drive, which started Monday, May 31st 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 Country USA location. Sleep Country USA 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 visit www.sleepcountry.com or call 1-888-88-SLEEP.

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Aaron Hilst
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