Payless ShoeSource Teams Up With The Fresh Air Fund to Celebrate Friendship and Raise Money to Help Give Inner-City Kids Fresh Air This Summer

Payless ShoeSource Teams Up With The Fresh Air Fund to Celebrate Friendship and Raise Money to Help Give Inner-City Kids Fresh Air This Summer

		In honor of friendship and just in time for summer camp, Payless has created the exclusively available "Friendship Shoe," an Airwalk(R)-branded white canvas slip-on shoe that comes with a three-marker set ideal for creating original designs and collecting autographs. The shoes are available in select Payless stores in the New York metro area and on Payless.com(R).(PRNewsFoto/Payless ShoeSource) NEW YORK AND TOPEKA, NY AND KS UNITED STATES

Exclusive 'Friendship Shoe' Available Soon at Select New York Metro Area Payless Stores; 100 Percent of Net Profits from Shoe Sales Donated to The Fresh Air Fund NEW YORK and TOPEKA, Kan., June 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Payless ShoeSource and The Fresh Air Fund are teaming up on a new program designed to raise money and awareness for the Fresh Air Fund and its mission to give New York City kids from low-income communities "fresh air" through free summer vacations at Fresh Air camps and with host families in "friendly towns" outside the city. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070605/AQTU251) In honor of friendship and just in time for summer camp, Payless has created the exclusively available "Friendship Shoe," an Airwalk(R)-branded white canvas slip-on shoe that comes with a three-marker set ideal for creating original designs, collecting autographs, and above all, celebrating friendship. The shoes, priced at $17.99 and offered in children and adult sizes, are available beginning June 13 (while supplies last) at nearly 300 Payless stores in the New York City metro area (including stores in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New Jersey) and on Payless.com(R). Payless will donate 100 percent of the net profits from the sale of the Friendship Shoes to The Fresh Air Fund. Also as part of the campaign, beginning last month Payless launched an awareness effort through store communications and shopping bag stuffers to share with shoppers how they can get involved and support The Fresh Air Fund. "Payless is focused on reaching deep into our communities to inspire kids and to provide them with access to all the great things our country has to offer," said Matt Rubel, chief executive officer and president of Payless. "Affiliating with The Fresh Air Fund and creating the Friendship Shoe is an empowering initiative that will inspire a range of possibilities for children." The Friendship Shoe was inspired by the new customization trend in accessories where kids are creating their own personal looks, as well as the cherished tradition of kids getting autographs at the end of school or at summer camp. The shoes are intended to encourage kids to have friends sign and create special designs on the shoes as a memento of life's memorable moments. Payless Friendship Shoes are ideal for summer camp, graduation, birthday parties, and sports championships, among other celebrations. "We are thrilled to team with Payless on this wonderful program that helps us get the word out on The Fresh Air Fund and to share with others how they can get involved in supporting our mission," said Jenny Morgenthau, executive director of The Fresh Air Fund. "The Friendship Shoe celebrates friendship and gives shoppers a unique and well-timed item to help raise money and give even more kids a great summer experience." Payless ShoeSource, the largest specialty family footwear retailer in the Western Hemisphere, is dedicated to democratizing fashion, design and innovation in footwear and accessories and inspiring fun, fashion possibilities for the family at a great value. As of the end of the first quarter 2007, the company operated a total of 4,564 stores. In addition, customers can buy shoes over the Internet through Payless.com(R) at http://www.payless.com. The Fresh Air Fund, an independent not-for-profit organization, has provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million inner-city children since 1877. For more information about The Fresh Air Fund, call 800.367.0003 or visit their website at http://www.freshair.org.