MAGIC charms at-risk children and teens with fashionable donations

Published on Fri, Aug 8, 2014 (1:06 p.m.)

Submitted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada

LAS VEGAS – August 8, 2014 – Over 300 local children and teens will go back to school in style thanks to a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada (BBBSN), Soles4Souls and FN PLATFORM during MAGIC 2014. The first annual back-to-school bonanza provides new shoes to children and teens, ages 6-18, that are enrolled in the BBBSN program. Volunteers from BBBSN, Soles4Souls and FN PLATFORM will distribute the goods Aug. 17 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at BBBSN headquarters at 2000 E. Flamingo Road.

“We’re excited to kick off this amazing program in Las Vegas! We have coordinated with multiple vendors at MAGIC over the last few months to donate shoes that will be perfectly sized for each child,” said Leslie Gallin, President of Footwear for Advanstar Communications, Inc.

Presented by MAGIC, FN PLATFORM is North America’s most comprehensive footwear marketplace where leaders and innovators converge to shape the industry, shop and sell shoes.

Soles4Souls has relationships with several of the world’s leading apparel brands that provide new overstocks, returns, discontinued models and other shoes or clothing items. Soles4Souls also receives millions of articles of used shoes and clothing that have been collected by individuals, schools, faith-based institutions, civic organizations and corporate partners.

“We have a great team and a passionate group of supporters and donors around the world, and many at MAGIC. This partnership helps children and families regain their dignity. Our goal is to break the cycle of poverty and build self-esteem,” said Buddy Teaster, CEO of Soles4Souls.

“The partnership with FN PLATFORM and Soles4Souls during MAGIC allows us to provide our “Littles” and their siblings with brand-new necessities for the new school year. Everyone is excited. Many of our mentees are from low-income families and new clothes and shoes are a very big deal,” said Molly Latham, executive director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada

BBBSN provides mentors to more than 400 youth annually. Since 1973, BBBSN has provided tens of thousands of mentors to at-risk youth. The non-profit’s mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Learn more at www.bbbsn.org or call (702) 731-2227.

About Soles4Souls

Soles4Souls is a global not-for-profit institution dedicated to fighting the devastating impact and perpetuation of poverty. The organization advances its anti-poverty mission by collecting new and used shoes and clothes from individuals, schools, faith-based institutions, civic organizations and corporate partners, then distributing those shoes and clothes both via direct donations to people in need and by provisioning qualified micro-enterprise programs designed to create jobs in poor and disadvantaged communities. Since 2006, Soles4Souls has distributed 21 million pairs of shoes in over 125 countries. Learn more at www.soles4souls.org.

About FN PLATFORM

FN PLATFORM is a joint venture of Advanstar Communications, Fairchild Fashion Group and Footwear News, and debuted in February 2010 under the direction of Leslie Gallin, President, Footwear for Advanstar Communications Inc. FN PLATFORM is North America’s most influential footwear business forum - where the leaders and innovators converge to shape the industry, shop and sell shoes. Connecting the global fashion community at a single gathering, FN PLATFORM showcases the full spectrum of footwear — for men, women, juniors and children, across all categories, price points and trends. The carefully curated selections of established and emerging brands segmented into easy-to-navigate lifestyle neighborhoods offer attendees a comprehensive one-stop shop opportunity that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. FN PLATFORM takes place during MAGIC from August 18-20, 2014 at The Las Vegas Convention Center. Learn more at www.fnplatform.com.

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