FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:
Jessica Hendrick
Director of Public Relations
St. Gabriel’s Catholic School
(512) 327-7755 x160
                                     
HOOPS 4 HOPE TO BENEFIT FROM USED ATHLETIC SHOES
 
AUSTIN, TX (December 19, 2006) – Starting January 4th and running until the end of the month,
St. Gabriel’s Catholic School is organizing a city-wide Shoe Drive benefiting Hoops 4 Hope.
Anyone wishing to participate can stop by any local Austin Shoe Hospital, RunTex or the St. Gabriel’s Catholic School to donate a used pair of athletic shoes. These shoes will be distributed to children in Africa as part of the Hoops 4 Hope program.

    Hoops 4 Hope is a global, non-profit organization that has been supporting youth development throughout southern Africa by working with schools, shelters, and community organizations since 1995. They provide the basic tools that young people need to play team sports and face the many challenges of growing up in communities plagued with poverty, crime, and HIV/AIDS. Their mission is to help children develop “Skills 4 Life,” the essential tools and knowledge required to help them develop a strong and positive character and be ultimately successful in life.

    This year, Gilbert Tuhabonye, a celebrity in the world of running, will act as spokesperson and Honorary Chair for the Shoe Drive. Mr. Tuhabonye is from Burundi, a small country in east central Africa. He graduated from Abilene Christian University where he was a national champion runner. Now, he coaches “The Gilbert Gazelles” at RunTex in Austin, where he lives with his wife Triphine and two daughters, Emma and Grace.

   The Shoe Drive leads up to the Mardi Gras 5K, at St. Gabriel’s Catholic School held on February 10th. The day’s events include the 5K run, a Kids Fun Run, a children’s carnival, and music and food following the activities. Support of this annual event goes to St. Gabriel’s Catholic School’s financial aid program and allows them to provide educational opportunities to a diverse population of students from different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Used athletic shoes for the Shoe Drive may be dropped off at the following Shoe Hospital
locations:
 
8th & Congress (Downtown)
720 Congress
Austin, TX 78703
7:30 a. m. to 5:30 p. m. M - F
Closed Sat
(512) 477-5078 

183 at Brushy Creek
306 S. Bell
Cedar Park, TX 78613
7:30 a. m. to 6:00 p. m. M - F
8:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m. Sat
(512) 219-8387

Burnet at Steck
8211 Burnet
Austin, TX 78758
7:30 a. m. to 6:30 p. m. M - F
8:00 a. m. to 5:00 p. m. Sat
(512) 453-1961 

Windsor at Exposition
3106 Windsor
Austin, TX 78703
7:30 a. m. to 6:00 p. m. M - F
8:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m. Sat
(512) 477-6515

Balcones Woods at 183
5114 Balcones Woods Drive
Austin, TX 78759
7:30 a. m. to 6:00 p. m. M - F
8:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m. Sat
(512) 345-8663 

Ben White at Manchaca
1911 W. Ben White
Austin, TX 78749
7:30 a. m. to 6:00 p. m. M - F
8:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m. Sat
(512) 440-8788

Bee Caves at Walsh Tarlton
3300 Bee Caves
Austin, TX 78746
7:30 a. m. to 6:00 p. m. M - F
8:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m. Sat
(512) 329-8104 

290 West near the 'Y' at Oak Hill
6781 290 West
Austin, TX 78735
7:30 a. m. to 6:00 p. m. M - F
8:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m. Sat
(512) 288-6386

Hwy 620 across from RRHS
1316 Round Rock Ave.
Round Rock, TX 78681
7:30 a. m. to 6:00 p. m. M - F
8:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m. Sat
(512) 244-9124 

Donations may also be made at the following RunTex locations:
 
RunTex Riverside
422 West Riverside Dr.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 472-3254

RunTex Lake Austin
2201 Lake Austin Blvd.
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 477-9464

RunTex Gateway
9901 Capitol of Texas Hwy. Suite 160
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 343-1164
 
Shoes may also be dropped off directly at St. Gabriel’s Catholic School, 2500 Wimberly Lane,
Austin, TX 78735, (512) 327-7755, or for more information: www.sgs-austin.org or www.mardigras5K.com.

St. Gabriel’s Catholic School is an independent school educating students in grade Pre-K though eight, and is dually accredited through the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department (TCCED) and the Independent School Association of the Southwest (ISAS).  For more information on the school call (512) 327-7755 or visit www.sgs-austin.org.