CBRE Partners with Soles4Souls® to Provide Shoes to 23,060 People Around the Globe
Fourth-annual Shoe Drive Sets New Donation Record
Los Angeles, CA, December 3, 2014 /3BL Media/ - CBRE’s fourth-annual National Shoe Collection Drive, held in conjunction with the international charity Soles4Souls®, collected more than 15,373 pairs of shoes from its employees to give to people in need.
In addition, CBRE Cares, the company’s corporate philanthropy program, donated $7,687 to the international charity, the equivalent of an additional 7,687 pair of shoes. As a result, the drive will enable Soles4Souls to provide shoes for more than 23,060 adults and children around the world—making this the largest donation by CBRE in the past four years.
“The charitable spirit by which our employees continue to rally around this cause typifies their enthusiasm for service and their passion for assisting those in need, whether in their local community or across the globe,” said Cal Frese, Chief Executive Officer of the Americas. “We are pleased to be able to partner with Soles4Souls year after year in this very important humanitarian and environmental initiative.”
With more than 73,900 pairs of shoes donated during the past four years, the CBRE campaign is one of Soles4Souls most successful corporate shoe drives. Soles4Souls advances its anti-poverty mission by distributing these shoes via direct donations to people in need and by provisioning qualified micro-enterprise programs designed to create jobs in poor and disadvantaged communities.
“Hundreds of thousands of shoes are thrown away across the U.S. every year, filling our landfills with non-biodegradable materials,” said Chad Phillips, Office Operations Manager of CBRE’s Indianapolis office and the program’s chairman. “Our efforts not only prevent that from happening, but also ensure many people around the globe have the shoes they need.”
“CBRE is an example of the good that business and business people can do in the world,” said Soles4Souls CEO Buddy Teaster. “It’s an honor to have worked for so long with CBRE and to know that, together, we’ve helped almost 100,000 get access to footwear that helps with work, education and health.”
Sponsored by CBRE Eco Knights, the company’s sustainability group, this year’s shoe drive included participants from 94 CBRE locations across the U.S., including 60 CBRE offices, five CBRE affiliate offices and 29 CBRE-managed properties and facilities.
About CBRE Group, Inc.
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (in terms of 2013 revenue). The Company has approximately 44,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers through approximately 350 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CBRE offers strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; corporate services; property, facilities and project management; mortgage banking; appraisal and valuation; development services; investment management; and research and consulting. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.
About Soles4Souls
Soles4Souls is a global not-for-profit institution dedicated to fighting the devastating impact and perpetuation of poverty. The organization advances its anti-poverty mission by collecting new and used shoes and clothes from individuals, schools, faith- based institutions, civic organizations and corporate partners, then distributing those shoes and clothes both via direct donations to people in need and by provisioning qualified micro-enterprise programs designed to create jobs in poor and disadvantaged communities. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Soles4Souls is committed to the highest standards of operating and governance, and holds a four-star rating with Charity Navigator. Visit www.soles4souls.org for more information.
