Donation will help Cd'A center
<p>JJ's Shoes and Boutique and Naot Footwear USA present North Idaho Violence Prevention Center with a donation of women's shoes valued at approximately $12,000. From left, John Shults, owner of JJ's Shoes, Sandra Lopez, education and outreach worker for North Idaho Violence and Prevetnion Center, and Gary Morgan, sales representative for Naot Footwear.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - When you're in a situation where you have to leave home, it's the small things that can really make a difference as you start over.
That's why Sandra Lopez, spokeswoman with the North Idaho Violence Prevention Center, said Naot Footwear's donation of 150 pair of women's shoes of various sizes and styles on Friday is wonderful, especially in October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
"When you leave, you don't think of taking anything with you," she said. "A lot of these women come with a pair of shoes and what they're wearing."
In the past eight years Naot has donated around 2,500 pair of women's shoes - worth about $225,000 - to the center through JJ's Shoes and Boutique in downtown Coeur d'Alene.
Gary Morgan, Naot sales representative, said they are happy to give back to the community.
"Fortunately, we are able to supply the women's shelter with these shoes for people who come to the shelter who have needs," he said. "It's a great cause."
The center also provides counseling services and temporary housing for women and children forced to leave their homes due to domestic violence.
The donation of women's shoes might not seem significant, but it is, Lopez said.
Women in such situations need encouragement as they take the first steps to what could lead to a new life.
"Shoes are a great gift," she said. "It's like Christmas early, almost."
Shults hopes the donation motivates other businesses to step up and support other charitable causes, too.