Wednesday, February 03, 2010

University of North Carolina Wilmington Students will show their support for Haiti one step at a time by collecting shoes from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6 at Kenan Auditorium. A celebration of Haitian culture including music and the flying of the Haitian flag will accompany the event.

Twenty-four students of the UNC Wilmington Cornerstone Learning Community, The Explorers, began collecting shoes for Soles4Souls, an organization that distributes used and new shoes to people in need around the world, as part of their class service project in fall 2009. When Soles4Souls sent a call out for an immediate need for shoes to send to victims of the Haiti earthquake, students immediately revived their collection efforts.

Coincidentally, two of the students in the class are Haitian students. Both students have family and friends who have been significantly impacted by the Haiti earthquake and are actively involved in relief efforts. Both are available for media interview by request.

The students will accept both new and used shoes. Flat bottom soles are most needed for the relief effort, and financial donations for shipping will be accepted. The community is encouraged to participate in this event.

The shoe collection is not the only effort UNCW students are making to support Haiti victims. Students from two sections of an Issues in Criminal Justice class are selling snacks and candy to raise money for the Haitian relief effort. Tables will be set up in the post office area of the Fisher University Union 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3 and Friday, Feb.5.

Another recent relief effort of several UNCW students resulted in the collection of a nearly 30,000 pounds of supplies, food and water at an estimated value of $10,000 – enough resources to fill two 26 foot trucks and a pickup truck. UNCW Honors students also raised $245 for Partners in Health Haiti efforts by collecting and selling cans.

The Cornerstone Explorers students are also planning a carnival for late March to educate students about Haiti and to raise funds for a Haitian orphanage.

The public can learn more about the shoe donation event by contacting Jenny Adams at adamsjb@uncw.edu. Media should contact the below person to cover the event and to request set up interviews with students, who are available to talk to the media for the next week.

Media Contact:

Joy Davis, UNCW Marketing and Communications, 910.916.8603 or davisjc@uncw.edu