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Hope Through Healing Hands (HTHH) and Soles4Souls Partner to Create 'Step Up Tennessee'

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Hope Through Healing Hands (HTHH), a nonprofit founded by former Senator Bill Frist, M.D., has announced a partnership with Nashville-based Soles4Souls to benefit over 100,000 Tennessee children who are in need of a good pair of athletic shoes. This number, based upon a random sample analysis conducted by the Department of Sociology at Vanderbilt University, represents a need in over 16% of Tennessee children in elementary and middle schools. The study was initiated and funded by both organizations.

Soles4Souls, the international charity that has distributed over 6 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes to people in need worldwide, has set up a fundraising website: www.hopeshoes.org to provide more information and to reserve sponsorships for new shoes.

"Providing shoes for children in need promotes wellness, physical education, and play; all key components for a strong, successful foundation in health and education. Fun exercise is one critical factor in combating childhood obesity and encouraging a healthier lifestyle," said Dr. Frist.

"We are honored to partner with Hope Through Healing Hands and work together to benefit needy children in Tennessee," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. "Step Up Tennessee is designed to provide a simple yet effective way for people to assist a child right here in our own state. It's important that we offer real solutions to our neighbors at the same time we are reaching out to people around the world," he said.

A sponsorship of $20 from an individual or company will guarantee that an at-risk child in Tennessee will receive a new pair of athletic shoes.

About Hope Through Healing Hands

Hope Through Healing Hands is a Nashville-based 501(c) (3) that promotes improved quality of life for citizens and communities around the world using health as a currency for peace. HTHH supports health students and residents to do service and training in underserved clinics around the world. For more information, go to www.hopethroughhealinghands.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 6 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 9 seconds). The shoes have been distributed in 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. Visit www.giveshoes.org to offer help and receive more information.

SOURCE Soles4Souls