Help Put a Spark in the Steps of Area Foster Children

SACRAMENTO, CA, March 14, 2011

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 Train strives to put a spark in their step with its annual Shoe Drive for Foster Kids. Starting today, March 14, the company is seeking donations of new sneakers, boots and dress shoes for area foster children at any Sleep Train 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, 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 Christina Madden, director of programs at Child Advocates of Silicon Valley. "It's an important reminder that there are children 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 even ask if they can wear them to bed!"

Sleep Train (www.sleeptrain.com) the number one bedding specialist on the West Coast, 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 Train's nineteen regional foster care partners who help the 80,000 foster children in California 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 Train. "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 May 1. No time to shop? Simply make a donation online at http://www.sleeptrain.com and the company will shop on your behalf. Sleep Train locations can be found online or by calling 1-800-378-BEDS. 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 Train
Sleep Train Mattress Centers, an award winning, employee-owned company, is ranked the #1 bedding specialist on the West Coast. Sleep Train offers customers superior service by professional and knowledgeable sleep consultants and the best selection of famous brands, such as Simmons Beautyrest , Sealy Posturepedic , Tempur-Pedic , Stearns & Foster, and the Vera Wang Collection by Serta , at the guaranteed lowest prices. Sleep Train's Foster Kids program actively contributes to its community through ongoing donation drives that benefit the area's nearly 60,000 foster children. With more than 80 retail locations throughout California, Sleep Train is Your Ticket to a Better Night's Sleep . For more information, please visit http://www.sleeptrain.com or call 1-800-378-BEDS.

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