I love how local media picked up by national media can really do a lot for charity cases. Here is an example: This week, the popular FOX gossip radio round up show Dish Nation did one of its regular local station feature where it picks a local story to spotlight.
This time, it picked Witchita, Kansas. One of the hosts spotlighted the work of 17-year old Amelia Flores who started a shoe drive to donate to Soles for Souls charity that gifts gently used shoes to people in need. Flores said the charity helped her family during Hurricane Katrina and wanted to give back.
“I felt like this was a way to give back to them and say thank you,” Amelia told her local paper, The Wichita Eagle. “People were super willing to give their shoes,” she said about expanding her initiative from 200 pairs to 2,000. “So I figured why not.”
Flores, who had collected 1,000 shoes but was hoping to get 1,000 more by December 18. “By calculation, she needs 112 each day,” host J-Si Chavez said “We need to start donating, Witchita.”
Fortunately for Flores and the charity, Kim Kardashian-West saw the Dish Nation segment and tweeted her support. And the rest is Viral history….
I’m up breastfeeding & watching this show Dish Nation. I heard the cutest story of a girl who is trying to find 1000 pairs of shoes -cont-
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) December 10, 2015
to donate to this charity Soles For Souls! They helped her during Hurricane Katrina. I think I know the designer of Shoe of the Year Award! — Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) December 10, 2015
Kanye and I would love to donate those 1000 shoes to Soles For Souls.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) December 10, 2015
I’ve been looking online to find this little girl so we can let her know the shoes are on their way….but can’t seem to find her — Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) December 10, 2015
Can u help me find the girl who is trying 2 get 1000 pairs of shoes by Christmas @DishNation @Soles4Souls Kanye & I would love to donate!
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) December 10, 2015
The teen got the message and got some great local news coverage and eventually made a video response:
#Kansas teen is collecting shoes for @Soles4Souls and wants to thank @KimKardashian for her help. Her story at 5pm. pic.twitter.com/6g95FIfza4 — KAKE Lily Wu (@KansasLily) December 10, 2015
@KimKardashian @DishNation Hi Kim! WOW! Thank you so much! If you’d like to DM me, we’ll help you find the girl you’re looking for.
— Soles4Souls (@Soles4Souls) December 10, 2015
I really hope Kim k is talking abt me — Amelia Flores (@milliemflores) December 10, 2015
Flores says her new goal is 25,000 shoes and with all the publicity, she’s likely to reach it!
photo collage: courtesy Dish Nation