Christmas Arrives Early for 300 Children at Martha O'Bryan Center as Genesco's Cold Feet, Warm Shoes Program Visits
-- LB David Thornton, Tennessee Titans, Teams with
Genesco for Community Event --
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Christmas arrives early at the Martha O'Bryan Center as more than 90 volunteers from Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) fit approximately 300 children with new shoes and warm hats for the holidays as part of its Cold Feet, Warm Shoes event on December 19. In addition, David Thornton, Linebacker with the Tennessee Titans, will be on hand assisting with the fitting, visiting with the children and spreading holiday cheer. Each child will also receive a new t-shirt, compliments of Thornton.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061219/CLTU134 )
In its 17th year, Cold Feet, Warm Shoes is Genesco's signature community outreach event held every year in Nashville. Company volunteers will individually measure and fit each child at the Center with their choice of new shoes providing the same individual service provided at any of Genesco's 1,900 stores across the U.S. In addition, each child will get to choose a new warm knit hat donated by the Company's Hat World division at the fitting.
Genesco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Hal N. Pennington, Genesco President Bob Dennis, along with more than 90 company volunteers, will set-up and staff a mock shoe and hat store created in the community center's gymnasium.
"It is important to us that we give back to the community where we work and live," Pennington said. "As a leading footwear and headwear company, we are giving back in a way that not only makes sense but makes an impact in the Nashville community. Empowering these children with a choice and ensuring a proper fit is really what this is all about."
Joining Genesco will be NFL Linebacker David Thornton. Thornton joined the Company for its Cold Feet, Warm Shoes program in Indianapolis last year while with the Indianapolis Colts, and decided to join in again this year. Thornton was extremely active in community outreach efforts in Indiana and has continued his tradition of service in Tennessee while actively participating in numerous community initiatives.
"I am privileged to partner for a second year with Genesco on the Cold Feet, Warm Shoes program," said Thornton of his involvement. "It's exciting to be a part of a program that gives kids the opportunity to select from a variety of new shoes. I have been so blessed and I'm proud to be able to share a little bit of that with others, especially so close to Christmas."
"David's contribution to the Cold Feet, Warm Shoes is tremendous. We are fortunate to have such an outstanding community leader teaming with us as we give back to the community," added Pennington.
Marsha Edwards, CEO of the Martha O'Bryan Center, said, "This is a unique blessing for our community. We appreciate the partnership with Genesco and with David Thornton as we collaborate to help East Nashville families who are struggling during this holiday season."
The footwear and hats for the fitting are donated by Genesco's operating divisions, including Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Underground Station, Dockers Footwear and Hat World. In addition, Huffman, Etnies, Mark Ecko, Skechers and Timberland donated shoes, and Nike donated some socks.
About Genesco Inc.
Genesco Inc., a Nashville-based specialty retailer, sells footwear, headwear and accessories in more than 1,900 retail stores in the United States and Canada, principally under the names Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Shi by Journeys, Johnston & Murphy, Underground Station, Hatworld, Lids, Hat Zone, Cap Factory, Head Quarters and Cap Connection, and on internet websites www.journeys.com, www.journeyskidz.com, www.undergroundstation.com, www.johnstonmurphy.com, www.lids.com, www.hatworld.com, and www.lidscyo.com. The Company also sells footwear at wholesale under its Johnston & Murphy brand and under the licensed Dockers brand. Additional information on Genesco and its operating divisions may be accessed at its website www.genesco.com.
About Martha O'Bryan Center
Founded in 1894, the Martha O'Bryan Center provides integrated services that support families living in poverty as they work to achieve greater self- sufficiency through sustained employment and education. The Center primarily serves residents in the East Nashville area and is located in the James A. Cayce Homes public housing development.
SOURCE Genesco Inc.
-0- 12/19/2006
/CONTACT: Claire McCall of Genesco Inc., +1-615-367-8283, or cell
+1-615-308-2483; or Jessica Castellanos for David Thornton, +1-317-402-3184;
or Marsha Edwards, CEO of the Martha O'Bryan Center, +1-615-254-1791 ext. 129
or medwards@marthaobryan.org /
/Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061219/CLTU134
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com/
/Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/352750.html /
/Web site: http://www.genesco.com /
(GCO)
CO: Genesco Inc.; Martha O'Bryan Center
ST: Tennessee
IN: REA TEX
SU: NPT CHI
MO-LA
-- CLTU134 --
8546 12/19/2006 16:36 EST http://www.prnewswire.com