Help Put a Spark in the Step of Area Foster Children

SEATTLE, WA, January 03, 2011 (Press-News.org) Having cold toes, cramped feet and wet socks is no way to start the day. Unfortunately, for many foster children who enter a foster home with only the clothes on their back, this may be a reality as they are given hand-me-down shoes, or funds get allocated to replenish the many other items a growing child needs. That's why Sleep Country USA strives to put a spark in their step with its annual Shoe Drive for Foster Kids. Starting today, January 3rd, the company is seeking donations of new sneakers, boots and dress shoes for area foster children at any Sleep Country USA store.

"For most of us, it's a simple task to purchase a new pair of shoes when ours wear out or don't fit comfortably anymore, but for foster families who are trying to help a child rebuild his or her entire life, sometimes material items fall to the bottom of the list," said Janis Avery, chief executive officer at Treehouse. "It's an important reminder that there are children every day in our communities that forgo running and playing sports because it hurts their feet! The foster kids in our program are so grateful to receive a new pair of shoes that they have been known to ask if they can wear them to bed!"

Sleep Country USA (www.sleepcountryusa.com), the number one bedding specialist in the Northwest, holds its annual Shoe Drive for Foster Kids as part of an ongoing effort to provide foster children with items their foster families might not be able to afford. The donated shoes are distributed among Sleep Country USA's sixteen regional foster care partners who help the 26,000 foster children in Washington and Oregon and their families make the transition a little easier.

"Kids grow so quickly - especially their feet, and having comfortable, supportive shoes is the foundation for everything they do, from walking to school to playing on the playground to attending a friend's birthday party," said Terry Horsley, vice president of brand strategy for Sleep Country USA. "We recognize that foster parents have so much on their plate already and because of their incredible generosity, these kids can have a roof over their heads. It's the least we can do to host and promote annual drives to help them obtain important material objects without extra cost."

It's easy to help put a spark in the step of a foster kid and a smile on their face with a donation of new shoes through January 30th. No time to shop? Simply make a donation online at http://www.sleepcountry.com and the company will shop on your behalf. Sleep Country also makes it easy to "Host Your Own Drive". Sleep Country USA locations can be found online or by calling 1-888-88-SLEEP. Store hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

About Sleep Country USA
Sleep Country USA, an employee-owned company, is the No. 1 bedding specialist in the Northwest with more than 70 mattress retail stores throughout Washington and Oregon. Founded in 1991, Sleep Country USA features top-quality, brand-name mattresses from Sealy, Posturepedic , Simmons Beautyrest , Stearns & Foster, and Tempur-Pedic , as well as premium adjustable beds, futons, and wood and metal accent beds. The company emphasizes customer service and satisfaction with its Money Back Comfort Guarantee and Free Red Carpet Delivery Service. Sleep Country USA's award-winning Sleep Country Foster Kids program actively contributes to its communities through ongoing donation drives and fundraising events that benefit the area's more than 26,000 foster children. For more information about Sleep Country USA or the Sleep Country Foster Kids program, please visit http://www.sleepcountry.com or call 1-888-88-SLEEP.

Media Contacts:
Revolution PR for Sleep Country USA
Jennifer Karkar Ritchie
(206) 932-2454 | jennifer@revolutionpr.com
Or
Aaron Hilst
(206) 355-3506 | aaron@revolutionpr.com