Gemm Learning has announced it will match donations made by its students to Souls4Soles, through Gemm’s student incentives website, Gemm City. Gemm Learning is also making its learning center locations in New York and Connecticut available as collection points for new and gently used shoes, all to support the Haitian relief efforts.
Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of individuals. It distributes these shoes, free of charge, to people in need around the world. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 7 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes. The shoes have been distributed in 125 countries, including Haiti, Kenya, Nepal and the United States.
“Gemm City already has a number of great ways for students to give back” said founder, Geoff Nixon, “but we are particularly taken with this cause right now and decided to emphasize it. Students are being encouraged to use part of the points they are awarded each month for their work at Gemm, to donate to this cause. And Gemm Learning has agreed to match whatever our students donate, dollar for dollar.”
Gemm is also working locally, with collection boxes at its centers in Scarsdale, NY and Old Greenwich, CT. Tina Liberatore said “Donating shoes makes so much sense. It is estimated that Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unused shoes in their closets. While all shoes, new or “gently worn” are welcome, there is a particular need right now in Haiti for children’s shoes and work boots.”
