It’s time for spring cleaning and as we weed out the things that need to go, shoes (and boots) are high up on the list, especially those worn by our kids as they are outgrown SO quickly, often before they have really been ‘worn’.

As for the adults, we have pairs that remain barely touched as we’ve decided are uncomfortable for us.  We have others that we’ve worn a few times but they no longer fit with our style.

What to do with all of these shoes?  It’s such a shame, we think to ourselves.  But the thing is- it doesn’t have to be.

These shoes still have life in them…literally.  Soles 4 Souls is a charitable organization that collects new & gently used footwear to support micro-business efforts to eradicate poverty as well as to provide footwear to disaster victims.   These shoes can find happy homes on the feet of children and adults across the globe.

Founder Wayne Elsey was watching TV in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami that hit Southeast Asia, and saw a picture of a single shoe washing up on the beach. Feeling like he just needed to do something, he made a few calls to some other executives in the footwear industry which resulted in the donation of a quarter of a million shoes to victims in the devastated countries.  The idea for Soles 4 Souls was born.

The reason I am writing about this today is that as we set upon our course of spring cleaning, the Montreal Chapter of Professional Organizers In Canada (POC) is organizing Quebec’s 1st shoe drive for Soles 4 Soles during the month of April!

Some of the 2012 Montreal footwear collected will be donated locally to: Dans La Rue, Old Brewery Mission – Patricia Mackenzie Womens’ Pavilion.

There will be a kick-off event on Saturday, March 31st from 10 AM to 5 PM at Foot Solutions (368 Victoria Avenue in Westmount – H3Z 2N4)

After launch day, new & gently used footwear can be dropped off at any of the following locations throughout the month of April:

• Foot Solutions – Westmount
• Sentinel Self-Storage Baie-d’Urfe
• 8 Running Room stores
• (Westmount, Pte. Claire, Brossard, Laval,
• du Parc, PVM, Marche Centrale, Boisbriand)
• Greene Ave. Community Centre
• Dawson College
• Trafalgar School
• Lower Canada College
• Royal West Academy
• Rideau Memorial Gardens DDO
• St. Genevieve United Church DDO
• Budget Rent A Car Dorval
• Budget Rent A Car DDO
• Chiropractique Action Laval
• Telus
• Charles River
• Purolator Vaudreuil
• Comfort Keepers-Garde Confort Beaconsfield
• College Marie de France
• Coop La Maison Verte (Earth Day Sun. April 22 only)

For specific addresses contact:s4smontreal@gmail.com or call Dorothy at 514-487-9675

Remember it’s all good: boots, sandals, sneakers, cleats..even half pairs..nothing will go to waste!

You can learn more about Soles4Souls Montreal on their blog and more about Soles4Souls on their website.  The blog will also be updated should additional locations be added.

If you are in Montreal or the West Island, you can help (individual, company, community or faith group, school, organization) by providing footwear, drop off locations, financial donations, time. If you are outside of Montreal, check the Soles4Souls website to see how donations can be made in your area.

So go ahead- De-clutter, lighten your load and help out some Souls in need.

Please SHARE this post with your friends and family who may be de-cluttering as well! It’s as easy as hitting the SHARE button on Facebook!

Help Soles4Souls in their mission of “Changing the world ONE PAIR at a time”…

Wishing you a wonderful day,

Tanya