Sleep Train Shoe Drive Success Helps Foster Kids Put Their Best Foot Forward

SACRAMENTO, CA, May 26, 2011 (Press-News.org) Sleep Train, the number one mattress store on the West Coast and number four nationwide, is helping foster children throughout the region step out in brand new shoes this month thanks to the support of its community who donated more than 6,500 pairs of new shoes during the company's annual Shoe Drive for Foster Kids. This is a 1,500 pair increase over last year and will help California's 60,000 fast-growing foster children run, jump and play in comfortable, properly fitting shoes.

"It's hard to participate in gym class, play sports or even walk to school when wearing shoes that don't fit," said Bill Richardson, district administrator, Koinonia Foster Homes. "When many of our region's foster children first arrive at a new home, they often have only the shirt on their back, and are ill-equipped without properly fitting shoes. Being able to obtain new shoes for these children is incredibly helpful for foster families, and the kids are thrilled to receive them.

"Our Foster Kids Program strives to serve as an inspiration to our community and other area businesses and show that they too can give back and support at-risk children in our region," said Terry Horsley, vice president of brand strategy, Sleep Train. "Seeing such significant increases in donations demonstrates that we're being successful and reinforces our message that while not everyone can be a foster parent, anyone can help a foster child."

Sleep Train distributes the donated shoes among its twenty regional foster care partners who help make transitioning into a new home a little easier for California's foster children and their families. If you were unable to participate in this drive, Sleep Train's Clothing Drive for Foster Kids is on now through July 10th. For foster families on tight budgets, it's difficult to outfit growing kids and teens, making this drive extremely important. Donations of new clothing items such as shirts, dresses, pants, shorts, and packaged undergarments can be made at any Sleep Train store. For more information on the location of the nearest store, please visit the Sleep Train store locator at http://www.sleeptrain.com or call 1-800-378-BEDS (2337). The store hours are M-F 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 , as well as premium adjustable beds, futons, and wood and metal accent beds at the guaranteed lowest prices. Sleep Train's award-winning 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 90 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
Aaron Hilst, (206) 355-3506, aaron@revolutionpr.com
Shauna Nuckles, (208) 819-2859, shauna@revolutionpr.com