Media Contact:
Jess Myers
Direct: 651-290-7465
Cell: 612-910-3058
Gander Mountain: Partners with Soles4Souls effort to supply 500k pairs of shoes
Outdoors retailer offering shoppers a free download of new Billy Gilman single The Choice
with footwear sales proceeds in 114 stores nationwide going to fund shoe charity initiative
ST. PAUL, MN, April 12, 2012 — Gander Mountain is proud to announce a unique arrangement with Soles4Souls which aims to supply 500,000 pairs of shoes to those in need. The nation’s premiere outdoors retailer and the Nashville-based charity have joined forces once again, helping promote multi-platinum selling country artist Billy Gilman’s new charity single The Choice while working toward the goal of supplying shoes to needy children.
Starting on April 16, Gander Mountain customers who purchase a pair of shoes in stores will receive a free download of Gilman’s new single. In addition to Gilman, the song features 18 of country music’s top artists, including Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Josh Turner, and Keith Urban. Gander Mountain will donate $1 from every pair of shoes purchased to Soles4Souls, which is able to supply a pair of shoes to someone in need for every dollar that is donated.
“We are proud to be able to partner with Soles4Souls once again to help reach the goal of 500,000 pairs of shoes for those in need,” said Steve Uline, Gander Mountain’s executive vice president of marketing. “It is a great opportunity for Gander Mountain customers to help those less fortunate while getting a free download of some great music from Billy Gilman and other popular country artists.”
Gilman, who has sold more than six million albums worldwide and garnered a wide range of awards, was in the process of writing material for his upcoming music project with two of his co-writers, Dan Murph and Philip Douglas, when the idea for The Choice was born. In a YouTube video, Soles4Souls challenged people from all across the country to start their own shoe drives in their communities and do something to benefit those living in adverse poverty and in need of footwear. Instead of setting up a collection bin on a crowded street, Gilman, Murph and Douglas got the idea to do what they do best–write a song. They agreed that every penny generated from the song, including the songwriters’ and publishers’ shares, would go to Soles4Souls. Within one week, the trio penned The Choice and pitched the idea to the charity organization.
“Great success and countless pairs of shoes donated have been the results of our past collaborative efforts with Gander Mountain, so it made perfect sense to work together once again, giving shoppers the opportunity to provide great footwear for themselves and for those less fortunate, while getting great music for free,” said Kevin Goughary, CEO of Soles4Souls, which has donated more than 17 million pairs of shoes across 129 countries since its inception in 2004. “For every pair of shoes purchased at a Gander Mountain store, a life somewhere around the world will be changed with the gift of shoes. It doesn’t get any sweeter than that.”
The Choice was co-written by Gilman to bring attention to the world wide plight of children in desperate need of shoes. All of the proceeds from digital download of The Choice go directly to Soles4Souls. The song came to life through the contribution of the voices of Gilman and fellow country artists Rodney Atkins, Montgomery Gentry, Amy Grant, Steve Holy, Alan Jackson, Wynonna Judd, Richie McDonald, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Ronnie Milsap, Craig Morgan, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes, Diamond Rio, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Josh Turner, and Keith Urban. The song is scheduled to be released on April 16, and every download will provide a pair of shoes to some child in need.
The Gander Mountain special offer runs through May 14.
