Payless to give 400 children shoes

Family-friendly footwear retailer Payless ShoeSource will provide shoes for 400 children this Christmas with their Shoes4Kids Programme. Each year in Latin America and the Caribbean, Payless ShoeSource supports children in the local communities where they operate. This year's execution will see Payless ShoeSource continuing their partnership with the Child Development Agency (CDA).

"Giving back is an important part of what Payless is and this partnership with the CDA is one we look forward to every year. The children will be given vouchers that are redeemable in-store, where our sales associates will assist them with correct fitting. Proper-fitting shoes are a crucial part of good childhood development and this is something Payless is committed to," said Nekeisha Critchlow, Jamaica country manager at Payless ShoeSource.

Throughout the region, nearly 5,000 children in need will enjoy a new pair of shoes this holiday season through Shoes4Kids. In addition to giving vouchers to the 400 children locally, 30 lucky ones will be selected for a one-day treat of shoe shopping, lunch and the movies on Wednesday, December 9.

Public relations and communications manager at the CDA, Rochelle Dixon, said, "We thank Payless ShoeSource for the continued partnership in giving 30 of our wards of the state a memorable experience. This comes at a suitable time during the season that every child looks forward to spending time with families and friends, opening gifts and singing Christmas carols."

She added that the management and staff at the CDA are heartened by Payless' show of support for the most vulnerable among us and hope that "our partnership will continue to grow from strength to strength, as we seek to make a difference in the lives of our children".

Shoes4Kids has been a staple since Payless ShoeSource opened branches in Jamaica five years ago. Internationally, this activity has had a longer history, having first launched in the United States in 2008 and then taken overseas in 2009. In 2014 across Latin America and the Caribbean, Payless ShoeSource donated more than US$150,000 for Shoes4Kids.