A year ago, NCSU grad Mark Saad and Chris Smith started Kinder Soles, a socially conscious flip-flop foot wear business; a portion of the proceeds from each flip flop sold is donated to Soles4Souls, a non-profit that provides gently used shoes to people domestically and internationally.
Surviving a year, during a recession?! That's a reason to celebrate. So tomorrow (Thursday, May 26), from 6 to 9 p.m., Kinder Soles is throwing a party at Tir Na Nog Irish Pub in Raleigh.
The celebration includes live music from Barleyjuice, a pan-Celtic rock band, and food from Green Planet Catering, a local, sustainable catering company. Guests are asked to bring a pair of new or gently used shoes to donate to Soles4Souls. Kinder Soles footwear will be available for purchase at the event, and also online at kindersoles.com.
And you'll have a chance to get the 2011 Kinder Soles: the sole is now made mostly from recycled plastic bottles and post-industry recycled materials. The ergonomic design has been improved for better arch support and heel cups, and the leather upper is thicker with better stitching.
We'll vouch for their comfort; our first pair, though worn, still feels better than those $1 flip-flops by miles.
Assistant Features Editor Adrienne Johnson Martin would like to have her life turned into an animated cartoon.