If the Shoe Fits, Spare It — Rock/Creek, Chaco and dZi

You may recall the outdoor store that gave a discount for the trade-in of old shoes that went on to support Porters Progress. This scheme is of similar ilk. For the next couple of weeks, Rock/Creek, an outdoor retailer in Chattanooga will give 20% off a new pair of Chaco sandals to customers who donate their old footwear. The donations will be forwarded to the dZi Foundation. This is an organisation that, in their words, “provides sustainable programs that positively impact individuals and communities primarily within the Himalayan region. Our work is focused in the areas of education, health and welfare. These programs are designed to serve within the existing social framework, maintaining particular sensitivity to local culture and tradition.” Last year Chaco ran the same program with 100 retailers, and collected over 1,500 pair of useful footwear for dZi, as well as sending 400 pair via The Backpacker store to displaced hurricane victims in affected areas of Louisiana, USA. (Marmot, another US based outdoor company has also supported dZi, offering to match donations for the building of shelters for 2,000 Pakistanis following the earthquakes in the Bagh region.) ::Chaco, via PR Web.