From July 14 through September 7, Rack Room Shoes ran its third-annual Shoes That Fit campaign, with funds raised providing local schools with money to purchase shoes for needy children, chiefly Title 1 schools that are at a greater disadvantage. Of the retailer’s more than 380 retail stores, its Afton Ridge, N.C. location raised the most money, thanks to tremendous efforts stemming from Store Manager Mike Cagle.
During its third-annual fundraising campaign, employees were encouraged to talk with customers about the campaign, spreading awareness and encouraging them to make a donation. In partnership with national charitable organization Shoes That Fit the company raised a total of $471,886. 100% of the funds raised are distributed to schools in the communities where Rack Room Shoes operates stores for the purchase of shoes for underprivileged children. To-date, Rack Room Shoes has raised over $1,168,077.
Several store managers from across the country are recognized for raising thousands of dollars in donations, but Cagle pushed the campaign at his store to a new level. Mike Cagle has worked with Rack Room Shoes for 36 years. For the past four years, he’s been known as the Store Manager at the Afton Ridge, N.C. location. This year, Cagle is known for a lot more than his title and role with the company. This year, Cagle took the retailer’s annual Shoes That Fit fundraising campaign to an entirely new level by raising over $9,000, a number surpassing all other individual store fundraising efforts, company-wide.
Cagle worked with his seven employees, training them on how to make customers aware of the campaign. In-store, Cagle and his employees raised over $5,000 through the generosity of their customers; another $4,000 resulted from Cagle’s own determination to raise funds and awareness outside the store and on his days off. Cagle went directly to people and business he knew, including his dentist, doctor, and even local restaurants he frequents. He told them the story behind Shoes That Fit and how even a small donation could make an impact, it worked. “You can’t be afraid to ask,” he said, adding that he hopes his approach might be something that other managers follow in coming years.
When asked about his incentive in taking such a personal approach, Cagle said it’s both the local impact and the incredible results he’s witnessed over the years. “It seems like we focus a lot in our society on other countries, but when you look around and have children in your own backyard with circumstances they just can’t help, your heart goes out to them.”
Cagle has two children of his own, including one with special needs. Cagle says that he and his wife have been through many struggles and although this has been incredibly rewarding, he wants to help as many children as he possibly can. “When all is said and done I know I’ll hear more stories about kids we have helped and that’s gratifying to me. There are children out there that will have new shoes to last them the year.”
Rack Room Shoes features all of the latest styles and brands for the entire family including Nike, Converse, Reebok, Skechers, New Balance, Puma and much more. Rack Room Shoes, based in Charlotte N.C., is a member of the Deichmann Shoe Group headquartered in Germany, which is the largest privately owned shoe retailer in the world. Rack Room Shoes operates over 390 stores nationwide. Visit www.rackroomshoes.com for more information and current special offers.
On Mon, Oct 4, 2010 at 11:08 AM, Buck Lawrimore wrote:
Beth,
I need this rewritten so the main story is in the first sentence – my site requires it.
Also would like a photo of the guy, some shoes, or similar.
Thanks
Buck Lawrimore
Editor On Sep 30, 2010, at 3:23 PM, Beth Konney wrote: Dear Buck, Please consider the following release for publication. Rack Room Shoes’ Store Manager Mike Cagle of the Afton Ridge, N.C. location, is commended for his efforts in raising the most money during the company’s recent Shoes That Fit campaign where funds raised are distributed to schools in the communities where Rack Room Shoes operates. Out of over 380 stores, Cagle took the limelight, his story is below. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Many thanks,
Beth Konney
(704) 989 4263 Rack Room Shoes Manager wins for the community (Charlotte, N.C.) Mike Cagle has worked with Rack Room Shoes for 36 years. For the past four years, he’s been known as the Store Manager at the Afton Ridge, N.C. location. This year, Cagle is known for a lot more than his title and role with the company. This year, Cagle took the retailer’s annual Shoes That Fit fundraising campaign to an entirely new level by raising over $9,000, a number surpassing all other individual store fundraising efforts, company-wide. The in-store campaign launched on July 14 and ran through September 7 in all of Rack Room Shoes store locations. Employees were encouraged to talk with customers about the campaign, spreading awareness and encouraging them to make a donation. In partnership with national charitable organization Shoes That Fit, funds raised provide local schools with money to purchase shoes for needy children, chiefly Title 1 schools that are at a greater disadvantage. During its third-annual fundraising campaign, the company raised a total of $471,886. 100% of the funds raised are distributed to schools in the communities where Rack Room Shoes operates stores for the purchase of shoes for underprivileged children. To-date, Rack Room Shoes has raised over $1,168,077. Several store managers from across the country are recognized for raising thousands of dollars in donations, but Cagle pushed the campaign at his store to a new level. Cagle worked with his seven employees, training them on how to make customers aware of the campaign. In-store, Cagle and his employees raised over $5,000 through the generosity of their customers; another $4,000 resulted from Cagle’s own determination to raise funds and awareness outside the store and on his days off. Cagle went directly to people and business he knew, including his dentist, doctor, and even local restaurants he frequents. He told them the story behind Shoes That Fit and how even a small donation could make an impact, it worked. “You can’t be afraid to ask,” he said, adding that he hopes his approach might be something that other managers follow in coming years. When asked about his incentive in taking such a personal approach, Cagle said it’s both the local impact and the incredible results he’s witnessed over the years. “It seems like we focus a lot in our society on other countries, but when you look around and have children in your own backyard with circumstances they just can’t help, your heart goes out to them.” Cagle has two children of his own, including one with special needs. Cagle says that he and his wife have been through many struggles and although this has been incredibly rewarding, he wants to help as many children as he possibly can. “When all is said and done I know I’ll hear more stories about kids we have helped and that’s gratifying to me. There are children out there that will have new shoes to last them the year.” Rack Room Shoes features all of the latest styles and brands for the entire family including Nike, Converse, Reebok, Skechers, New Balance, Puma and much more. Rack Room Shoes, based in Charlotte N.C., is a member of the Deichmann Shoe Group headquartered in Germany, which is the largest privately owned shoe retailer in the world. Rack Room Shoes operates over 390 stores nationwide. Visitwww.rackroomshoes.com for more information and current special offers.
Beth,
I need this rewritten so the main story is in the first sentence – my site requires it.
Also would like a photo of the guy, some shoes, or similar.
Thanks
Buck Lawrimore
Editor On Sep 30, 2010, at 3:23 PM, Beth Konney wrote: Dear Buck, Please consider the following release for publication. Rack Room Shoes’ Store Manager Mike Cagle of the Afton Ridge, N.C. location, is commended for his efforts in raising the most money during the company’s recent Shoes That Fit campaign where funds raised are distributed to schools in the communities where Rack Room Shoes operates. Out of over 380 stores, Cagle took the limelight, his story is below. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Many thanks,
Beth Konney
(704) 989 4263 Rack Room Shoes Manager wins for the community (Charlotte, N.C.) Mike Cagle has worked with Rack Room Shoes for 36 years. For the past four years, he’s been known as the Store Manager at the Afton Ridge, N.C. location. This year, Cagle is known for a lot more than his title and role with the company. This year, Cagle took the retailer’s annual Shoes That Fit fundraising campaign to an entirely new level by raising over $9,000, a number surpassing all other individual store fundraising efforts, company-wide. The in-store campaign launched on July 14 and ran through September 7 in all of Rack Room Shoes store locations. Employees were encouraged to talk with customers about the campaign, spreading awareness and encouraging them to make a donation. In partnership with national charitable organization Shoes That Fit, funds raised provide local schools with money to purchase shoes for needy children, chiefly Title 1 schools that are at a greater disadvantage. During its third-annual fundraising campaign, the company raised a total of $471,886. 100% of the funds raised are distributed to schools in the communities where Rack Room Shoes operates stores for the purchase of shoes for underprivileged children. To-date, Rack Room Shoes has raised over $1,168,077. Several store managers from across the country are recognized for raising thousands of dollars in donations, but Cagle pushed the campaign at his store to a new level. Cagle worked with his seven employees, training them on how to make customers aware of the campaign. In-store, Cagle and his employees raised over $5,000 through the generosity of their customers; another $4,000 resulted from Cagle’s own determination to raise funds and awareness outside the store and on his days off. Cagle went directly to people and business he knew, including his dentist, doctor, and even local restaurants he frequents. He told them the story behind Shoes That Fit and how even a small donation could make an impact, it worked. “You can’t be afraid to ask,” he said, adding that he hopes his approach might be something that other managers follow in coming years. When asked about his incentive in taking such a personal approach, Cagle said it’s both the local impact and the incredible results he’s witnessed over the years. “It seems like we focus a lot in our society on other countries, but when you look around and have children in your own backyard with circumstances they just can’t help, your heart goes out to them.” Cagle has two children of his own, including one with special needs. Cagle says that he and his wife have been through many struggles and although this has been incredibly rewarding, he wants to help as many children as he possibly can. “When all is said and done I know I’ll hear more stories about kids we have helped and that’s gratifying to me. There are children out there that will have new shoes to last them the year.” Rack Room Shoes features all of the latest styles and brands for the entire family including Nike, Converse, Reebok, Skechers, New Balance, Puma and much more. Rack Room Shoes, based in Charlotte N.C., is a member of the Deichmann Shoe Group headquartered in Germany, which is the largest privately owned shoe retailer in the world. Rack Room Shoes operates over 390 stores nationwide. Visitwww.rackroomshoes.com for more information and current special offers.
