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(Transportation-News.com, May 18, 2012 ) Tifton, GA -- The Tifton area Starbucks in Georgia recently teamed up with Auto Wranglers and the charity Relay For Life to raise money for the less fortunate in a fantastic fundraising event.
The combined efforts of Starbucks Coffee in Tifton and the national car buying company Auto Wranglers collected seven overflowing 55 gallon drums of old shoes for Green Sneakers. Green Sneakers takes the old shoes and refurbishes them. The shoes are then sent overseas, primarily to Africa. Each pair of shoes donated saw 50 cents contributed to the Relay event in Tifton
“The GreenSneakers program is a uniquely effective program that helps fund local charity but ultimately impacts people in need around the world. By making used tennis shoes available as affordable footwear in developing countries, GreenSneakers engages in enhancing economic development opportunities through job creation and sustainability both domestically and abroad,” states the website.
Shoes were collected at 52 Aces and Starbucks in Tifton. 52 Aces owner Barry Barbee went door to door asking for donations of old shoes for this program.
“God has blessed my family so much that I just have to give back. When I was walking neighborhoods collecting shoes, I was constantly reminded how much I have. I just have to give back,” Mr. Barbee said. “This drive for the Cancer Society and Green Sneakers brings together two very important parts of my life: finding a cure for cancer and spreading the Gospel across the globe.”
Relay for Life is an annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Participants raise money for cancer research in a 24-hour walk-a-thon. To collect money, walkers gather pledges, donations and hold other fundraising events.
“Chester LeGrone and Barbee were instrumental in the collection of shoes through their separate companies, Starbucks of Tifton and AutoWranglers. Starbucks started a volunteer campaign called ‘Sneakin up on Cancer’ through the Starbucks Community Service website and not only served as an information hub and collection point for shoes leading up to our April 27-28th event, but also donated many hours at our Relay For Life Event helping with our hospitality tent and serving free coffee for the entire 12 hours,” said Charles Hutton, Relay for Life chairman.
Mr. Hutton said Mr. Barbee also helped by collecting old cars through AutoWranglers. Anyone could donate an old car to charity and the money went directly to Relay For Life. Mr. Barbee had the car picked up and wrote a check to Relay for Life the same day. The car’s donator was also able to receive a tax write off for the contribution.
This fundraising effort is ongoing. Mr. Barbee said he will accept old cars for Relay for Life from now on and from anywhere in the country.
“It was a thrilling idea to which we are still and hopeful to be accepting donations for over the next couple of months. Through teams like Barry and Jayme Barbee's and volunteer workers like Chester LeGrone our Tift County Relay For Life was a huge success,” Mr. Hutton said. “With the continued efforts of people like them, I have no doubt that we will one day find a cure for this disease that has taken loved ones like my father Charles Hutton and attempted to take away wives and mothers like Barry's wife Jayme Barbee.”
For more information visit www.autowranglers.com
About Auto Wranglers:
Auto Wranglers helps charities with their donated cars and also buys used cars anywhere in the United States.
Auto Wranglers
Barry Barbee
(877) - 845 - 7378
barry.barbee@autowranglers.com
Source: EmailWire.Com 
Source: EmailWire.com
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