NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE is made possible by financial donations and in-kind support.
NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE was founded in St. Louis, Missouri in 1943. The late Ruth Rubin-Feldman created the organization as a support for polio survivors. Herself a survivor of polio, Ms. Feldman had feet of significantly different sizes. When wartime rationing made buying two sizes even more difficult, she conceived the idea of a service whereby people with similar problems could register their names and sizes. The registry served as a clearing-house that put people with similar interests and tastes, but opposite foot sizes, in touch with one another. Together the new friends could buy footwear and share the cost. No shoes were wasted and they saved money!
With many veterans coming home from the war as amputees, the service grew and broadened its scope. First Lady Elenor Roosevelt gave NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE nationwide recognition for providing such a valuable service.
Today, NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE is no longer disease-specific, but assists people with a variety of conditions and life-styles. NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE ships new, quality footwear to children, adults and seniors across the United States and Canada from its distribution center in Arizona.
NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE is a resource for new, quality single shoes and pairs of significantly different sizes. Many have this need due to injury, disease and genetic disorders. However, NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE is not just about footwear. It is about people. NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE is about quality of life, dignity and respect.
Quality Of Life
Properly fitted footwear is critical to general health and well-being. Proper footwear can often prevent worsening conditions, including amputation.
Dignity
No one should have to endure the indignity and embarrassment of wearing ill-fitting footwear.
Respect
No one should have to pay for footwear that is unneeded and unwanted simply to get the footwear they require.
Throughout its long history, people have been referred to NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE by professionals in the health care industry, footwear industry, support groups, human service organizations, community service organizations and by media coverage.
The Need . . . NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE is not disease-specific. A wide range of disease, injury and genetic disorders cause people to require one shoe or pairs of different sizes.
People from all walks of life, with all life-styles register with
NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE . . .
Toddlers
NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE assists people due to a variety of causes. NOSE is unsullied by socio-economic, geographic, gender, political, religious, racial, and moral constraints. NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE addresses a universal problem that transcends all of these divisions.
Varying causes and conditions include . . .
Amputation Stroke Missing Toes Club Foot Drop Foot Charcot's Joint Polio Brain Trauma Lymphedema Diabetes Partial Amputation Leg Braces Cerebral Palsy Hemi-Hypertrophy K-T Syndrome Multiple Sclerosis Extra Toes Cancer Just Because
While NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE does ship internationally, currently its primary focus is in the United States and Canada.
To Contribute . . . No one should be deprived of the properly-fitted footwear that most of us take for granted. To tackle this, NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE needs your help.
NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE seeks monetary donations and donations in-kind from corporations, small businesses and individuals just like you.
Support of NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE is unsullied by political, geographic, racial, social, economic, religious and moral constraints. NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE addresses a universal problem that transcends all of these common divisions.
Monetary Donation . . . Monetary donations make this service possible and enable its continued growth and outreach. Donations of all sizes are appreciated. NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE proudly accepts financial contributions from corporations, small businesses and individuals just like you. Please contact NOSE today to show your support.
In-Kind Donation . . . Donations in-kind include footwear items (shoes, boots, socks, inserts, laces), office supplies, packaging supplies, promotional items, warehouse equipment, and office equipment. Feel free to contact NOSE for any clarification of these, or other, needs.
Footwear items must be new, unworn and undamaged. NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE accepts matched pairs, mis-mated pairs, singles and bulk footwear items. All styles and sizes are needed.
For health and safety reasons, NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE cannot accept worn or damaged items.
Donations and contributions may be mailed to:
NATIONAL ODD SHOE EXCHANGE
POB 1120
Chandler, Arizona USA
85244-1120
As this is a US Postal Service P.O. Box, do not use this address for UPS, FedEx and other private carriers. To ship freight and larger deliveries, phone (480) 892-3484.
As a 501(c)(3) organization, donations are tax-deductible.
What I do is kick them in the pants with a diamond buckled shoe!
~~Aileen Mehle~~
