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26 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 8, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Ron White Shoe Drive still collecting footwear While charitable works often make for heartwarming stories, Toronto footwear mogul Ron White is more interested in footwarming gestures. White, who owns six stores across the GTA, including The Foot Shoppe in downtown Oakville, recently launched his 12th annual Ron White Shoe Drive, inviting people to donate their gently-used footwear to help the homeless. White started his shoe drive in 1995, after seeing a homeless man whose tattered shoes left his frostbitten feet exposed to the cold. With winter in full swing in town, this year's shoe drive could not have come at a better time. "Ron has found over the years that people who come into the store often leave their old shoes behind when they buy new ones," said shoe drive spokesperson Deb McCain. "People will donate shoes and Ron will clean them up and weatherproof them before donating them to local charitable organizations." This year, shoes will be given to Out Of The Cold, the Red Door Family Shelter and Halton Women's Place, who will then redistribute them to the less fortunate. Over the past 12 years, the drive has resulted in 14,000 pairs of shoes and boots being donated to the homeless through the Ron White store at Sherway Gardens and other locations. The shoe drive has also received support from celebrities, who have donated their own shoes to the cause. This year, singers Hilary Duff, Celine Dion and Tom Cochrane and actors Michael Cera, Mary Walsh and Gordon and Leah Pinsent contributed to the shoe drive, with their shoes on display in the various Ron White stores. "It's great to get the celebrity support and remind people to follow in the footsteps of their favourite celebrities," McCain said. While winter footwear is preferred, any kind of footwear is welcome. Shoes can be dropped off at Ron White locations at Sherway Gardens, Bayview Village Shopping Centre in North York, 2465 Yonge St., either of two locations in the Manulife Centre at Bay and Bloor or at the chain's Oakville location. The shoe drive runs until Sunday. CELEBRITY SUPPORTERS: Monike Schnarre, Ron White, Brian Orser, Leslie Roberts, Leah Pinsent and Gordon Pinsent help kick off the 12th annual Ron White Shoe Drive. SALE! Clean Air Plants by nded mme Reco Valentine' Day s SA selection of natural NA Choose from our air purifying plants. ValentineRoses Florist quality! 17 Join us for our 39 98 /dozen 98 Tropical Extravaganza! Thursday, February 14th to Sunday, February 17th Potted Bulbs Choose from Tulips, Daffodils and Hyacinths. Buy1, Get1 *Of equal or lesser value. Phalaenopsis Orchid FREE!* 6" pot, reg. $5.99 5" pot, reg. $29.99 Etobicoke-East Mississauga 2069 Burnhamthorpe Road East Tel: 905-624-3722 9 garden centres to serve you! Mississauga-Oakville 606 Southdown Road Tel: 905-822-0251 ed e clos We ar ily Day m ay Fa Mondy 18th r ebrua F Sale prices in effect until Sunday February 17, 2008 or while supplies last.