Case study for the PREDS Foundation---
5th annual trip with S4S (always in July)
2015- Haiti
with 13 staff members
2016- Ecuador, they distributed 704 pairs of shoes during their week in Ecuador.
with 5
2017- Dominican Republic, More than 500 pairs of shoes in just two days were handed out to those in need
with 9
2018- Honduras
With 9 + 4 S4S members
Upcoming trips: 2019- Haiti 2020- Tanzania
On _____ of ____ Soles4Souls partnered with the Preds Foundation. July of 2019 marks our 5th annual trip with the Nashville Predators foundation employees. The two groups will be embarking on their second trip to Haiti to distribute shoes to local school, orphanages, and communities in need. The teams work with local partners in the country
Staff members have the opportunity to raise money for their trip through their annual auction In (*****) as well as personal fundraising pages that can be set up through Soles4Souls. The foundation creates an opportunity to fundraise for their trips through an auction in (January/Feb). Where items like signed handmade cornholes get actioned off.( Last year they were able to raise $20,000 toward their travel expenses.) --- is this right???
The Preds, show off their #heartsofgold while partnering with S4S to meet people where they are and experience life in developing nations. The staff has served thousands of children and families with S4S though their annual trips to places like Haiti in 2015, Ecuador in 2016, the Dominican Republic in 2017 and Honduras in 2018. On these trips, Preds employees provide footwear to those in need while spending time merging cultures and building relationships with the locals.
Throughout the year the preds foundation stays in contact with S4S, raising money and collecting shoes at games and events and visiting the Nashville warehouse a couple of times a year. -----need numbers----. Last year at their annual shoe drive on _____ , fans contributed (X) of shoes and donated $(X) to Soles4Souls
While on their most recent trip to Honduras this past year, the Preds were able to participate in the distribution of 740 pairs of shoes to children and adults in need, which converted to $8,850 in economic impact. While having the free time to play with the children and experience a zig-zagging zip line adventure through the forests.
The Preds employees were also proud to point out the fact that on their Honduras trip, they had surpassed any single day distribution goals with roughly 660 pairs of donated shoes. In typical Preds fashion, they cemented themselves as the No.1 shoe distribution franchise in sports. On their DR trip in 2017, Preds employees distributed over 500 pairs of shoes in just two days.
Often time with employees choosing to join soles4souls on consecutive trips
Predators
Predators Senior Manager of Community Relations Kristen Finch: Honduras
"I have been fortunate enough for this to be my third trip with the Preds and I am thankful for the support our company gives us to not only give back locally but also internationally on the annual Soles4Souls trip. As difficult as it is sometimes to communicate with the children, it is amazing how far a simple smile and bubbles or sidewalk chalk can go to break down the language barrier."
Ecuador trip -
“Although we gave to the utmost of our ability, their love and compassion that they showed us in return were far more than we could ever imagine. The random hugs, the thoughtful gifts, the cultural meals, the list goes on... We gave them shoes, and they gave each of us a piece of themselves that will forever be in our hearts.”
“‘We pulled up to the location and roughly 600-700 people eagerly awaited us. It was INSANE! We heard later that some families had been out there since 5 am waiting on a pair of shoes. Just crazy. Talk about perspective…” Whitney Snyder on her Honduras trip in 2018
To date, the Predators Foundation has contributed $$$$$ of economic development to the developing countries that they have visited over the past 5 years.
Case study: Saint John and Paul Catholic Church
I was privileged to be a member of the team, which took part in the collection of more than 25,000 pairs of shoes. Soles4Souls teamed up with Saints John and Paul Catholic church and assisted in the collection of the shoes.
After assembling the public and channeling all their effort toward raising funds, the members of the community were able to raise more than 27,000 pairs of shoes. In addition, the church did not stop there, it went ahead and recruited assistance from several academic institutions and business enterprises in the region offering their space as a drop-off zone. The church did not stop at regional zones but went ahead and extended the program all over the country. For instance, business people took the initiative and made it their own hence collecting shoes from volunteers and submitting them to the church. The mission was not just about giving shoes but helping others who are in need. Before going for the trip, each main contributors raised awareness on the program, its aim, and approach to matters pertaining the community.
Saints John and Paul held a fundraising event with the aim of giving thirty people the chance to go on the Dominican Republic trip. The church was able to raise more than $ 31,000 via ticket trades, 25 auctioned products, and random donations.
A part from donating shoes, the project was an alternative way of assisting Soles4Souls operation but at the same time helping the church link up with members of the society.
After raising funds, the parish helped distribute the shoes all over Dominican Republic. In the end, the shoes reached more than 144 children within Dominican Republic.
Honduras
The trip to Honduras began one early Sunday. After spending sometime going through usual procedures, locating belongings and renting vehicles, the entire team met at Darwin and Raul. Everything fell in line and no one was late for anything.
While leaving the airport vicinity, the scenery was natural, full of green trees, valleys, and mountains. The areas was fairly developed with numerous farms nestled here and there hence creating an aesthetic view of Honduras.
While heading to the town center, we passed by a bridge near El Progreso and our eyes could not believe the beautiful infrastructure and well commercialized zones. The streets were full of some internal brands and restaurants. We dropped our luggage at respective guesthouses, went for lunch at local food stores, and ate local foods such as refried beans and veggies. We were able to sip cold Limonada, a form of lemonade and the national alcoholic drink. The meals were great and kick started our week on a positive note for all of the people present.
After the hefty lunch, the entire team matched into the Soles4Souls store facility located in the urban area. The first delivery stock had both adult and children shoes sizes, both men and women. We climbed through the peak of shoes and isolated our specific supply package. After loading the package into the waiting cars, we attended to our stomach once again.
The next day, the team woke up on an onsite cafeteria, Manjeres, surrounded by the sounds of parrots, which was a rare opportunity for all of us. After the breakfast we headed to schools and began the first distribution set at Monterrey.
