SOLES4SOULS: On the heels of Hurricane Irene and in support of the Soles4Souls organization, members of the GBPA VOLUNTEERS donate a cheque to the Pi Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in support of the Shoe Drive for the students of Lewis Yard Primary School. Members pose for a cheque presentation, from left to right: Gary Roberts, Member of GBPA Volunteers; Sabrina Joseph, Member of GBPA Volunteers; Kendra Clarke, President of GBPA VOLUNTEERS; Anya Valdes, President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Rhandrea Fox, Vice-President of GBPA Volunteers and Sharel Carter, Member of GBPA Volunteers.

Freeport, Bahamas – On the heels of Hurricane Irene and in support of the Soles4Souls organization, members of the Pi Upsilon Omega Chapter of the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, along with members of GBPA VOLUNTEERS and Jon Wes Shoe Store are helping to change the world, one pair at a time. During the first week of school, the entire student body of Lewis Yard Primary, comprised of nearly 150 students, will receive a new pair of shoes to compliment the fresh start of the school year.

The Soles4Souls charity distributes shoes to persons regardless of race, religion, class or any other criteria. Since 2005, over 14 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes have been distributed to people in over 127 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal, The United States and now – The Bahamas.

“Soles4Souls has been featured in Runner’s World, Ladies’ Home Journal, National Geographic’s Green Guide, and The New York Times. This charity has appeared on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, BBC, CNN and thousands of regional news outlets across North America. We thank organizations like GBPA VOLUNTEERS and Bahamian owned stores like Jon Wes Shoe Store who helped to make a project of this magnitude possible. It is because of their contribution that we are able to aid in this charity’s current record of a donation of one pair of shoes…every 7 seconds and thus fulfill our organization’s motto: Service to All Mankind,” revealed Anya Valdes, Chapter President.

The members of GBPA VOLUNTEERS did not hesitate to lend support, as this organization’s sole purpose is to cultivate corporate social responsibility in the form of employee volunteer projects. “We are extremely delighted to be a part of this and are inspired by the thought of giving back”, expressed Kendra Clarke, President of GBPA VOLUNTEERS.

Members of the Pi Upsilon Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated are women who are fully engaged in a series of service projects aimed at the uplifting of the Grand Bahama community. All citizens and members of all organizations on the island are encouraged to join forces to execute all community outreach initiatives.

To join the Soles4Souls initiative, please call/email Chapter President Ms. Anya Valdes at 242.441.6379/anyavaldez@yahoo.com.