Gifts that do good
From shoes to dolls, World Vision is teaming up with socially responsible corporations who offer gifts that give back.
Through The Good Shoe Project, whenever a customer purchases the exclusive Airwalk Hope shoe at Payless stores between December 15, 2010 and February 14, 2011, Payless will give a free pair of kids' shoes to a Central American child through World Vision.
Through Hearts for Hearts Girls dolls, a beautiful new line of internationally-themed dolls from Playmates Toys, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each doll will go to World Vision's work to build a better world for children in those countries.
Why shoes?
A lack of shoes can lead to disease and injury. In addition, many rural schools across Central America require shoes, and kids that don't have footwear miss out on education.
"Shoes are an unfamiliar luxury for many children in these countries, especially in rural villages," says David Owens with World Vision's corporate development team. "Shoes can open the door to education in remote areas. Kids can play, run, and jump because they know their feet are protected. Ultimately, shoes have the power to change a child's point of view from poverty to potential."
100,000 free pairs of shoes
"This giving program was created in direct response to feedback from our shoppers," says LuAnn Via, CEO of Payless ShoeSource. "Shoppers can feel good because not only are they getting this great style at a great price, but they will be helping us place a pair of children's shoes on the feet of a child in need."
The Airwalk shoe is a sleek canvas slip-on available in five colors -- tan, denim, red, black, and camouflage print -- in women's sizes 5 to 11 for $19.99 in Payless stores across the U.S.
Through the two-month campaign, Payless will donate at least 100,000 pairs of free shoes to children in El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Guatemala through World Vision programs.
Dolls make a difference
Hearts for Hearts Girls is a new line of dolls in authentic dress from communities where people face challenges every day.
Accompanying each doll is a story of how each girl is making a difference in her community -- Consuelo (Mexico), Lilian (Belarus), Dell (United States), Nahji (India), Rahel (Ethiopia), and Tipi (Laos).
Gina Beebe, the dolls' creator, and her team selected only the best materials to make the dolls, which are already receiving industry accolades.
How the dolls help
A portion of the proceeds from each doll goes to World Vision to help children from that doll's country. The dolls, from Playmates Toys, retail for $24.99 and are designed for girls ages 6-10 or the doll collector in your life.
Each doll also comes with membership to a free online community with real stories of girls making a difference, encouraging girls to think about how they can contribute to and make an impact in their own communities and the world.
Where to find them
Buy the Airwalk Hope shoe at any of the nearly 4,500 Payless stores in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico or at Payless.com.
Find Hearts for Hearts Girls dolls online at target.com.