SAPPHIRE WHISPER

 International Shoe Charity to Acquire and Donate New Clothing

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 25

Soles4Souls® Inc., the international shoe charity that gives away new and gently worn shoes, announced today it will begin providing new clothing to people in need through Clothes4Souls, a charitable division of Soles4Souls.  Clothes4Souls will collect new clothing from manufacturers, designers, retail partners and the general public.  In addition, gently worn jeans and coats will be accepted during community events held at select retailers throughout the year.

"We are so excited about the much anticipated launch of our clothing arm and the expansion of our charity to clothes," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls.  "We have consistently collected clothing from our footwear partners with apparel lines in the past, and now we will have the complete infrastructure to acquire and distribute clothing to people in need worldwide.  We've already received donations from our friends at Miss Me Jeans, American Apparel, Blac Label Premium, Artisans, New Balance and Converse."

"We were honored to partner with Soles4Souls in their efforts to bring relief to the victims of the Haitian earthquake," said Agnes Hyo-Sung Jung, Marketing Manager for Miss Me Jeans. "And now we are delighted to stand with them as lasting partners with the launch of their clothing division Clothes4Souls," she added.

The shoe charity has grown from a handful of employees and volunteers into an internationally-recognized organization with 40 employees and
four warehouses to handle the millions of shoes it distributes each year. It has distributed more than 7 million pairs of shoes since 2004, and Elsey predicts the clothing division will be equally successful.

"Our footprint is changing as we forge forward for the next five years," said Elsey.  "We recognized the overwhelming need internationally and domestically for clothing, and we hope to offer the general public and our apparel partners an avenue to give back more than just footwear," he said.

Clothes4Souls is proud to announce their exclusive partnership with Smartthreads--a likeminded, socially conscious company that strives to create a positive social change.  Their philosophy is 1=1, for every garment they sell they will donate a new garment to people in need via the Clothes4Souls partnership.  To learn more about this socially conscious brand visit www.smartthreads.com.

For more information about the Clothes4Souls division please visit www.giveclothes.org.

About Soles4Souls®

Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. The charity distributes these shoes free of charge to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 7 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently donating one pair every 9 seconds.) The shoes have been distributed to people in over 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States. Soles4Souls has been featured in Runner's World, Ladies' Home Journal, National Geographic's Green Guide and The New York Times.  It has appeared on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, BBC, CNN and thousands of regional news outlets across North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Anyone can join our cause, and we need your help. Visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.

Introducing Clothes4Souls(TM)

Soles4Souls is proud to announce the launch of their new division, Clothes4Souls.  We strive to increase dignity and hope for hurting people through the gift of new clothing from manufacturers, designers, and retailers. Those who graciously donate (rather than destroy) unused inventory will be assured the clothes will be given to people around the world living in desperate need.  Visit www.clothes4souls.org for more information.

Residents across the U.S. are invited to recycle their 'gently worn' shoes for people in need

New York and Nashville, TN - /September 1/ www.sapphirewhisper.com

Apart of the launch of the Nine West Vintage America Collection, Nine West and Soles4Souls are stepping up their partnership to collect gently worn footwear to benefit those in need. From September 9, 2009 through September 24, 2009 customers who bring in a pair of gently worn shoes into any Nine West retail store nationwide will receive 15% off any purchase of $75 or more, which can be used online or in-store. All 192 participating Nine West stores will donate the recycled shoes directly to Soles4Souls. Nine West is a division of Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (NYSE: JNY).

In keeping with the authentic spirit of the Nine West Vintage America Collection, Nine West is proud to support Soles4Souls and help those in need worldwide with the gift of shoes. Nine West and Soles4Souls will work together to raise awareness and inspire others to make a contribution.

"Soles4Souls' mission is for people to use the shoes taking up space in their closets to change the world one pair at a time," Elsey said. "We are pleased to be partnering with Nine West and encourage all of our other partners to 'STEP UP' and get behind our call to action. Donating gently worn shoes is one of the most simplest yet profound gifts you can make, and it will greatly improve someone's life in the most difficult of times."

"As part of our ongoing partnership with Soles4Souls, we are thrilled to bring this program to Nine West consumers nationwide and enable them to join in the mission of recycling shoes and giving back to the community," said Jay Friedman, CEO Jones Retail Corporation. "Philanthropy has always been part of our company's DNA and with the help of our consumers we anticipate donating a lot of shoes to those in need."

Every 13 seconds, Soles4Souls, Inc. gives away a pair of shoes to someone in need. The shoe charity has earned glowing endorsements from Hollywood stars and professional athletes, but the people who truly make the non-profit organization effective are those who clean out their closets to personally drop off their 'gently worn' shoes at a participating location.

It is estimated that Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unused shoes lying in their closets. Soles4Souls can use each and every one of these pairs to make a tangible difference in someone's life.

To donate or for more information visit www.giveshoes.org.

About Jones Apparel Group

Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (www.jonesapparel.com) is a leading designer, marketer and wholesaler of branded apparel, footwear and accessories. The Company also markets directly to consumers through its chain of specialty retail and value-based stores. The Company's nationally recognized brands include Jones New York, Nine West, Anne Klein, Gloria Vanderbilt, Kasper, Bandolino, Easy Spirit, Evan-Picone, l.e.i., Energie, Enzo Angiolini, Joan & David, Mootsies Tootsies, Sam & Libby, Napier, Judith Jack, Albert Nipon and Le Suit. The Company also markets costume jewelry under the Givenchy brand licensed from Givenchy Corporation, footwear under the Dockers Women brand licensed from Levi Strauss & Co and apparel under the Rachel Roy brand licensed from Rachel Roy IP Company, LLC. Each brand is differentiated by its own distinctive styling, pricing strategy, distribution channel and target consumer. The Company contracts for the manufacture of its products through a worldwide network of quality manufacturers. The Company has capitalized on its nationally known brand names by entering into various licenses for several of its trademarks, including Jones New York, Evan-Picone, Anne Klein New York, Nine West, Gloria Vanderbilt and l.e.i., with select manufacturers of women's and men's products which the Company does not manufacture. For more than 30 years, the Company has built a reputation for excellence in product quality and value, and in operational execution.

About Soles4Souls

Nashville-based Soles4Souls facilitates the donations of both new and used shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. Soles4Souls has distributed more than 5 million pairs (currently donating one pair every 13 seconds) to people in over 125 countries, including Honduras, Uganda, Romania, and the United States. The charity has been featured in Runner's World and the Green Guide by National Geographic. It has also appeared on CNN, NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS, BBC and hundreds of regional outlets around North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS; donating parties are eligible for tax advantages.

 Visit www.giveshoes.com for more information.

 Soles4Souls draws on the support of celebrity friends for 2nd annual Barefoot Week 



NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 28 / www.sapphirewhisper.com/ 

Soles4Souls, Inc., the international shoe charity dedicated to providing free footwear to people in need, has announced its celebrity support of Barefoot Week. The annual series of events (June 1 - 7) features the charity distributing thousands of shoes to people in need during the week.

"If you can't dig deep in your pockets, than dig in your closet! Americans can make a huge difference with Soles4Souls by donating shoes. Soles4Souls gives away a pair of shoes every 13 seconds in over 120 countries, with over 55 percent donated to fellow Americans." -Scarlett Johansson (who has donated 2,000 pairs of new shoes in the past)

"Whether it's a child struggling to go to school in Kenya, or an American who needs a pair of work boots, Soles4Souls is there to answer the simple requests of millions of people. We hope you will participate in Barefoot Week and help change the world, one pair at a time."                -Brittany Snow

"Run Athletics is inspired by Soles4Souls and their mission to help this in need around the world with the gift of shoes. We hope that everyone will host their own shoe drives in their neighborhoods during Barefoot Week, support Barefoot Day in their communities and Barefoot Sunday in your churches." -Rev Run (Joseph Simmons)

"I applaud Soles4Souls for being so dedicated to helping provide shoes to everyone they encounter who needs them. We need more organizations like them who understand the true nature of giving while expecting nothing in return. They are making a difference in the world, one pair of shoes at a time!" -Antawn Jamison, 2-time NBA All-Star for the Washington Wizards

"I am thrilled to support Soles4Souls and the 2009 Barefoot Week in order to help spread their mission to 'Change the world one pair at a time.' Their commitment is inspiring and I hope that thousands of people join me in support of the fantastic work they are doing across America." -Kellie Pickler

"It's an honor to donate shoes to help Soles4Souls as they do incredible things for the less fortunate people in this world. I encourage everyone to lend support." -Jessica Simpson

"I've got sole but I'm not a soldier. However, with Soles4Souls I am helping to fight the war against poverty in my own small way by giving to those in need." -Perez Hilton

"You don't have to be a singer to have soul! Help Soles4Souls by donating your unwanted shoes this year to children in need all around the world. It feels good to let somebody walk in your shoes!" -Nick Lachey

"I was amazed when I heard Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unworn shoes lying in their closets. I am proud to support Soles4Souls as they use each and every one of these pairs to make a tangible difference in someone's life." -Lance Bass

"Shoes are such a basic need that they are often overlooked. Soles4Souls puts shoes on the feet of many in need so they can take that first step toward a brighter future."-Elizabeth Banks

"There are many people around the world that have never owned a pair of shoes, and Soles4Souls is working very hard to put a pair of brand new shoes on their feet. I encourage everyone to donate as many shoes as possible." -Randy Jackson

And See Below for Sapphire Whisper Previous Features on Soles4Souls

Five years can seem like a long time when looking into the future.  Will our priorities be the same? What will our economy look like in 2014?  Will we have the same administration, or will someone else be in charge?

It's odd to imagine our 12 year-old children graduating high school, and impossible to imagine new technologies and gadgets we haven't yet invented (even if they will be the "hot" thing we can't possibly live without).

When looking to the past, five years seems so fleeting.  Five years ago, the Asian tsunami wiped out 230,000 people in a matter of hours.  It's a number that is beyond true mprehension.  We watched the TV reports, mouths agape, at the immense suffering unfolding before our eyes.

It made a huge impact on me as I sat alone on a couch in Florida, wondering what I could do to actually have an impact on something that could not be fixed.  I saw a single shoe washed up on a battered beach, and it struck a nerve because I was -- I am -- a "shoe guy," an executive for a boot company.

I felt challenged to act by locating and donating what I worked with everyday.  Surely the survivors would need solid work boots to rebuild the countries shredded by the floods.  In fact, any decent pair of shoes would do.

So I called my friends in the industry and asked some hard questions.  Could they part with a hundred shoes?  Five hundred?  Thousands?  I called competitors and laid out my specific challenges.  And they all answered, with numbers that blew me away.  In all, we sent 250,000 pairs of new shoes to people in the region.

Five years later, we stand as an official 501(c)(3) charity with three warehouses, a staff of 29, hundreds of celebrity supporters and thousands of donation locations across the country.  We could astound you with the numbers of shoes we have collected and sent around the world, but the only number that really matters is 1.

One person goes into their closet and packs up shoes, takes them to a donation location, and places them in the box.  For us, it's a life-changing moment, because we put these shoes on the feet of one person, one pair at a time.

There's a profound moment when we are kneeling before a needy person and putting new shoes on their tired feet.  It happens when we look up at them and share the one-on-one moment that cannot be faked or re-created in a can.  It's the gift of new shoes to a person in desperate need, and it is magical.

We work with shoe companies, retailers, churches & synagogues, civic groups, schools, and many other organizations that choose to partner with us for that magical moment -- putting one pair of shoes on a person's feet.

We send shoes to far off places like Afghanistan, where the public's suffering is ongoing and terror so commonplace that it is normal.  We also donate new shoes to Americans in need, because we recognize that even 1st World countries can have 3rd World problems.  In fact, more than 55% of our shoes stay in the United States to help the homeless population, foster children, victims of natural disasters, women escaping abusive homes, and dozens of other frightening scenarios.

Soles4Souls is pure grassroots -- you can see it when people flood your phone lines, begging to get involved.  When the movement takes off and all you can do is watch it and applaud from the sidelines.  People 'get' our charity because they recognize the need -- and discover the solution in their own homes and hearts.  Our programs and events, like the current Soles4Souls RV Tour, are successful because people WANT to get involved... they don't need convincing.  They simply need a way to get plugged in, and that's where we come in.

Our footwear donations are up 83% over last year.  We move 45,000 pairs of shoes per week through our warehouses.  Every 13 seconds, another person in need experiences that magical moment.  And still, time ticks on.

We have found avid supporters in footwear companies, on the street, in the churches, and even online through social media programs like facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and the like.  We know there will be new tools and technologies that we will use to find more supporters, because
we want that magical moment to be reproduced every single second.

Where will you be in five years?  What impact will you leave on the hearts of mankind?  I challenge you to choose positive actions, because when done consistently, they become habits, and habits become character.

Don't wait.  Visit  www.giveshoes.org to join Soles4Souls, and make a profound difference in the life of one person.  Who knows, that one person just might be you.