Imagine walking to school in shoes that don’t fit or having cramped toes while running during gym class. For Northwest foster children who often arrive in new homes with just the clothes on their backs, this can be a reality as foster families use funds to replace the many other essential items a growing child needs. To ensure these children have properly fitting, comfortable shoes and to support foster parents, Sleep Country is kicking off its annual Shoe Drive for Foster Kids and calling on the community to help set a new record for donations. The Sleep Country in Totem Lake Malls is participating in this event.

In 2014, Sleep Country collected more than 8,000 pairs of shoes for foster children. This year, the company is striving to increase that number by 25% percent to collect 10,000 pairs of shoes – an all-time record.

“For many of us, replacing shoes that are worn out or too small is not a big deal, but it can be tough for foster families who often need to replenish all of a foster child’s essential belongings,” said Vice President of Branding at Sleep Country Gina Davis. “To assist local foster families and to make sure foster kids have comfortable shoes that fit well, we’re calling on our community to help us collect a record number of donations this year.”

There are three easy ways to participate:

• No time to shop? Take five minutes and make a donation online at www.sleepcountryfosterkids.org. Sleep Country representatives will use any donation to buy shoes for foster kids on your behalf.

• Spend an afternoon shopping for and dropping off donations at your local Sleep Country store. New shoes in all sizes – infant to adult – are needed. Athletic shoes are the most requested type.

• “Host-a-drive” for foster kids. An office, community center, church or family gathering are all great places to host a collection drive. Sleep Country has all of the needed materials on its website at www.sleepcountryfosterkids.org

“Sometimes we have kids come in whose shoes are held together by duct tape,” said a representative from Compass Health, a Sleep Country nonprofit partner. “It feels good to be able to give them new shoes to wear.”

Sleep Country’s Shoe Drive for Foster Kids runs through June 7. All donations are distributed through Sleep Country’s nonprofit foster organizations. Use the store locator at www.sleepcountry.com to find your nearest store for dropping off donations.