Make/Made my day!

I got an email where Tiffany made a blog entry – this really made a great start to my day. I love you Tiffany and thanks for being you! Here is what she said -

 WAYNE…My sweet, crazy man. My friend, my love, my support….I love when we hang out, when we play cards…he is a sore loser. I love to be able to join in the awesome things he is doing for people with Soles4Souls…he makes me so proud and I am in awe of the amazing things he has accomplished. I love how much he loves people and cherishes relationships. He makes me laugh over the silliest things…he imitates me and it is hilarious and also frightening if I really sound that way. He shows his love for me with his actions…not just his words.

What is the reason for this or is there any reason for this? Check out www.50000shoes.com to change this.

There is no reason for this. Check out www.50000shoes.com and help us do something about it!

What the hey? Let me sleep!

So today, I had a flight home. The flight was full both connections. I sat beside a lady who just was looking for a friend. I attempted to close my eyes and pretend to sleep and you would not believe it – she tapped me on the shoulder several times to talk to me. So I did. She was alone and flew from the west coast – now on Southwest, that could mean you have several stops. She had 4. I was fresh meat when I sat in the exit isle. So we got into the whole thing – what is your name, where are you from, what do you do, what is….. When I mentioned Soles4Souls her eyes lit up. (I had to pay attention then) Her church participated in a “Barefoot Sunday” where we provide content and an awareness about the 300 million shoeless children around the world and the church leaves “shoeless”. She said that it was the most dramatic service she has ever gone to and they are doing it again in a few months. She said that she left with her friends barefoot and went to lunch the same way. She stated, “this act changed my life.” I said WOW. She asked what I did at Soles4Souls as before I said I was with a non – profit Soles4Souls and now I had to come clean. I told her that I was the CEO and Founder – she began to cry. (All I wanted to do was take a nap) She asked for my autograph, I declined and gave her a brochure with a little girl that we gave a pair of shoes to and I said this girl is the celebrity not me – now let’s do something about it. She agreed and said that she is committed to do what she can do to make a huge difference with the gift of shoes for the hurting. At that time, the fasten seat belt sign went up and we landed. We said goodbye and I walked to my car in amazement of what Soles4Souls has become – a vehicle to change lives with the gifts of shoes. WOW. I would have never imagined. So my question is what can you become compassionate about as I am with Soles4Souls? Thanks Marie for waking me up and talking to me. I loved your story and it motivated me to do more. (watch out team, I am back tomorrow am!!)

Jim Davis – New Balance!

I had the honor last night to meet Jim Davis, founder and owner of New Balance. He is a remarkable man and I am honored to spend time with him. He spoke at the conference I attended and just a great guy. I have always liked his “shoe story” and have been in many of his factories in China where is is very well respected. When I was there once, someone referred to me as the next Jim Davis – that was an honor to be told that. Jim, thank you for taking the time and being you. Your award was well deserved and as our charity has impacted lives, you have done the same thing with your just being a great guy!

19 months ago:This recent photo released by New Balance, date and location unknown, shows Jim Davis who is stepping down as CEO of the Boston-based shoe and apparel company, New Balance announced on Tuesday, April 17, 2007. Davis and his wife Anne, who jointly own New Balance, were listed last year by Forbes Magazine among the world’s richest people with an estimated wealth of $2 billion. Davis will stay on as chairman of the company but turn over the chief executive’s job to Robert T. DeMartini.

Dash

So last week I had the opportunity to meet DASH – the amazing 19 year old that walked across the country for Soles4Souls barefoot. This is a reflection of my thoughts and discussions with DASH – my hero.

• You know DASH – you are an amazing person for walking or doing this…” I want to represent something and make a difference, expressing myself “
• Why Soles4Souls? – I was in my graphics design class playing around and came across your logo and mission. I was intrigued.
• Enough to walk across the country? – Yes – there is no reason for people not to have shoes.
• So we walked bare feet for 2.3 miles in Nashville. This was the first time I have ever done anything like this and did not know what to think or expect. It was “different” but I said to myself, this guy has walked over 2800 miles and you can at least do 2 with him bare feet. So I did. It was a very moving and interesting experience for me. You know, Mr CEO trekking around town bare feet, think about that. I experienced different feelings when I was walking with DASH – when I needed comforting I went on the grass, it was soothing to  the feet. I stubbed my toe a few times and hit some rough spots also. This is very similar to life. There is not always grass under your feet. Try it sometime and THINK.
• DASH and I hung out having dinner at Flemings one night and going to hear Tiffany sing the next. I felt comfortable with him even though he is young enough to be my son but I hung well. Not sure what DASH would say but I had fun with him.
• Simple things mean something to him. What do simple things mean to me? You?
• When he left, very candidly I was sad. I know that Tiff cried when she left him at his starting point as if we had known him forever. The bond was there and the admiration for him was in our spirits.
• Today, I was thinking – I wonder what DASH is doing- scarcasticaly I made myself laugh and said WALKING. But seriously, what is he doing, where did he sleep last night, what did he eat for dinner, what is he thinking about.
• I am thinking about Dec 7 – meeting him in Jacksonville and spending a few days with him handing out shoes to the hurting in JAX. We will have a few laughs, smiles, meals and just hang out. But then what?

So I close with this thought – it is the simple things, DASH did not buy me anything, he was just there and candidly I will never forget those moments of time that we just hung out – talking, laughing, etc. The question for your is what moments in your life will you “never forget?” THANKS DASH FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE! See you in a few weeks, my friend!

50000shoes.com is alive!

I met Anne Jackson a few months ago and was totally intrigued by her mind, energy and compassion for people. The social marketing aspect of this world is something that I am interested in, know nothing about and want to really get plugged in. Over the first few weeks of our friendship, she motivated me to start a blog, work on our Facebook, etc as well as strategies and encourage me about this cool, new world of social marketing. So I am 43 – not old fashioned at all but wanted to be cool again. (according to my 19 year old, I will never be cool but you know what I mean!)

We brainstormed and I asked Anne some very deep questions about bloging, facebook, etc and candidly I get it, I think.

November 10th marks history for our charity as we have a worldwide campaign for people to make a huge difference in others lives with the gifts of shoes with our www.50000shoes.com campaign. Bloggers all over the world are uniting for the cause and the results have already been amazing. We estimate by early results that we will blow the 50000 goal out of the water. The cool deal is folks can get plugged in for a small fee of $5.00 – which will get 2 pairs on someones feet around the globe.

So for the heck of it, it is 1:50 AM and working here after a restless beginning to the evening, I decided to go to google and search soles4souls under BLOGS. The blogging community has come forward in a big way and the blogs are now being populated with the campaign. Bellow please find one example that I cut and pasted.

Fellow blogger Anne Jackson turned me on to a fantastic charity.

You guys know me fairly well, and I have a heart for charities of all kinds. (See my posts on Love146 and charity: water.) This is obviously no exception.

This particular charity comes with a challenge: raise enough money to supply shoes for people who need them. I’m betting most of my readers take this simple necessity for granted. Just like water, we often assume this need will be met. Unfortunately, too many people around the world go without shoes day after day after day.

So, here’s what I’m asking you guys to do with me: click the banner above and just donate $5. It goes a long way. $5 is enough to donate a pair of shoes. I also want you to check out the “50,000 Pairs in 50 Days” groupon Facebook.

Spread the word about this. We’ve got 50 days to get this done! I know you guys can do it!

This is cool stuff and I look forward to the progress in my growth to the blog world and this campaign.

Last – many of you have emailed me about a blog on DASH. I will do this tomorrow. I want to compile my thoughts on this wonderful kid that has walked 2800 plus miles already barefoot for Soles4Souls. I spent several days and meals with him. Candidly, I really like this guy and miss him not being around here in Nashville. Tiffany actually dropped him off on Saturday for his continued journey and was choked up and visually upset. Dash – we miss you and you have made a huge difference in my life as well as many others. We will see you soon in Jacksonville, my friend.

Great job Tiffany!

Wow…Tiffany shared her blog post with me today and it is powerful. I wanted to share this in my community! So here you go!

From www.tiffanyjohnsonlive.com

I was talking with a friend of mine the other day about how our society is obsessed with what is going on in the lives of others. Sites like facebook and twitter are overrun with people just “seeing what you are up to”. Blog sites are increasingly popular with bloggers and blog readers as people use their freedom of speech to communicate whatever they want to and others read it voraciously.

I promise to never use my forum in ways that will hurt others, whether knowingly or unknowingly. I truly believe that forums and platforms are meant to inform, educate, uplift and enlighten others, they should never be instruments that try to damage people. Love and light are the greatest tools we have, and I want to always give those away in abundance.

I discovered this quote below earlier this year and have just fell in love with it. It sums it all up. it was authored by a woman who has seen alot and pain and tragedy in her life, and continues to live with dignity and purpose, not lashing out at others. I want to spend my time building up, not tearing down, loving without condemnation, and continuously moving forward through this journey.

“Life is rarely what we expect it might be, but we need to look for the lilies. We need to do what brings us joy and gives us a sense of purpose”
Elizabeth Edwards

Use your voice…powerfully…peacefully…purposefully…with love.

Did you vote?

It is cool to have voted and see the results come in. One by one – alot of variables and anticipation building!

Will you join me Thursday AM? Come on ……

TEENAGER WALKING BAREFOOT ACROSS AMERICA ARRIVES IN NASHVILLE ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 9AM AT THE PARTHENON IN CENTENNIAL PARK

19 year-old Dashiel Alsup and Wayne Elsey, Founder of Soles4Souls, Will Walk Barefoot to the Nashville Rescue Mission to Donate Shoes to Homeless Men

 

Nashville, TN — It has been 2,840 miles since Dashiel Alsup turned his back on a cold and lonely beach in Washington state and started walking — barefoot — across America.  Since that day over six months ago, Dashiel has endured countless blisters, cracks and puncture wounds to his feet; many cold and rainy nights spent in his cramped tent; and more than a few tense moments with locals unsure of Dashiel’s motivations.  But he has also picked up many fans along the way, as they discover that his barefoot trek is a monumental effort for Nashville-based Soles4Souls, the international shoe charity dedicated to providing free shoes to people in need around the world.

 

He has no bigger fans than those at Soles4Souls — and this Thursday, November 6, staff members and volunteers will finally get to meet the 19 year-old Coloradan who took it upon himself to raise awareness and funds for their charity.

 

“Walking barefoot from Washington to Tennessee is already an incredible achievement, and we’re honored that he’s been undertaking this barefoot journey on our behalf,” said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls Inc.  “We’ll be meeting Dashiel at the Parthenon in Centennial Park and walking together to the Nashville Rescue Mission.  We welcome any and all supporters to join us in the walk to show our appreciation for Dashiel and what he has accomplished thus far,” he said.  Elsey stressed that supporters do not need to walk barefoot, although they were welcome to shed their shoes for charity.

 

Elsey and Soles4Souls staff will be at The Parthenon at 9am on Thursday, November 6.  They will walk down Broadway toward 8th Avenue and turn south until they arrive at the Nashville Resue Mission (639 Lafayette St, Nashville).  The distribution at the Rescue Mission will begin around 11am and will continue until the supply of new shoes runs out.

 

Members of the media are encouraged to follow along the walking route as event organizers are anticipating at least 50 students and local supporters will join Elsey and Alsup in their barefoot walk through Nashville.  No registration is required for the walk from The Parthenon to the Nashville Rescue Mission, but event organizers request that all participants gather near The Parthenon in Centennial Park by 9am on Thursday.

 

After visiting Nashville for a few days, Alsup plans on continuing toward his final goal in Jacksonville, Florida, where he will have walked over 3,000 miles for Soles4Souls.  “I’m really excited to reach Nashville and meet the team at Soles4Souls,” he said.  “I’m just happy that I can make a difference in people’s lives and am looking forward to the final leg of this trip,” he said.

 

Alsup keeps a blog of his journey at http://asinglepebble.blogspot.com.  For more information about Dashiel and his epic cross-country walk for Soles4Souls, visit www.giveshoes.org.