Donate shoes to local domestic abuse shelters
by admin on Jul.15, 2010, under Uncategorized
Starting over might be unimaginable for survivors of domestic abuse, but Naot footwear and Playmakers Athletic Footwear, 2299 W. Grand River Ave., in Okemos, are trying to make the transition a bit easier with the donation of 120 brand new shoes to MSU Safe Place and Eve’s House in Lansing.
For a second year, Naot, an Israeli footwear company that has been donating pumps since 1991, will donate shoes and sandals to the victims of domestic violence who need assistance, said Susan Shoultz, Eve’s House executive director.
“All the victims that we serve are invited to come and get a brand new pair of shoes,” Shoultz said. “When you don’t have anything and you’re scuffling around in flip flops that may not fit, it feels good to get shoes that are almost luxurious — these are expensive shoes.”
MSU Safe Place and Eve’s House are local shelters for victims of domestic violence, and MSU Safe Place assists 65 to 90 girls and children each year from the Greater Lansing Area.
MSU Safe Place offers an advocacy program that provides services such as navigation through the legal system, job searching and finding childcare assistance for victims, said Holly Rosen, the director of MSU Safe Place.
“Domestic violence is one of those crimes that happens behind closed doors,” Rosen said. “People don’t really think it affects the members of their community, but it’s everywhere and a lot of people are affected. Their closet friends and family don’t even know it.”
Contacted by Naot last year, Playmakers was asked which group they would like to donate to, and with MSU Safe Place partnership in the MSU Playmaker’s Race Series, it deserved the opportunity, said Lindsey Mulder, marketing coordinator at Playmakers.
“We thought the brand and the type of pumps really matched up with this group,” Mulder said. “It just seemed to really line up, trying to get these girls back on their feet and these are great supportive shoes, great for working, great for everyday use.”
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