LOS ANGELES MISSION EASTER FOR THE HOMELESS FEATURES FOOT WASHING

Thousands of Free Shoes, Socks Distributed at Annual Meal

March 25, 2005 (Los Angeles, CA) --- For a homeless man or woman, a free personal foot massage and a free new pair of shoes are luxuries most will probably never receive That’s one of the reason thousands stood in line today at the Los Angeles Mission. Add to that a warm, tasty meal and you have all the elements of the Los Angeles Mission Good Friday Easter Celebration.

The Los Angeles Mission Community Clinic doctors and volunteers provided foot exams as well as physically bathing and caring for the feet of the homeless (a symbolic Christian tradition during Easter Week). “Why offer these free foot massages? We often find that our guests have painful corns and calluses, and ill-fitting shoes cause other problems as well,” said Dr. Lisa Levsen Abdishoo, Clinical Director of the Clinic. Free socks and foot care products were distributed.

2,000 pairs of new etnies shoes were given to the homeless. etnies, the world’s leading Action Sports footwear and apparel manufacturer, donated the shoes. Company staff volunteered to help with the distribution. “We are proud to support the work of the Los Angeles Mission and give back to the community in such a great way,” said Pierre Andre Senizergues, Owner, CEO of etnies and ex-professional skateboarder.

But it wasn’t all about feet during this Easter celebration. The Los Angeles Mission provided nearly 3,000 hot meals to homeless men, women and children on this early
spring afternoon. And close to 600 homeless children walked away with Easter baskets full of candy and a small stuffed animal.

Today the Mission served 2,500 pounds of glazed ham, 400 pounds of pasta and 125 gallons of sauce for homemade 3 cheese macaroni, 250 gallons of savory mixed vegetables, 3,000 warm buttered rolls and 3,000 servings of pumpkin pie.

Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. (5th Dimension) hosted the Los Angeles Mission event and had some help from their celebrity friends (complete celebrity list attached). In addition to the 30 plus celebrity servers were 300 other volunteers from the local Los Angeles area.

“We believe that the opportunity to change someone’s life can start with something as simple as a hot meal or clean feet,” said McCoo, a member of the Los Angeles Mission Board of Directors. “Billy and I find the Easter Celebration here to be one of the most meaningful events of our year. The foot washing tent is truly inspirational.”
“It’s about opening up a doorway of hope to people who are literally at the bottom of their lives,” said Marshall McNott, president of the Mission. “Many who are on the streets seldom have normal loving contact with anyone – and this outreach is a way of inviting them to join the Mission’s program – in order to get off the streets permanently.”

The Los Angeles Mission refers to the Skid Row area as “Hope Central” – helping people find their way off the streets and into productive lives through their Urban Training Institute (UTI).

“UTI is based on the idea that every man that comes into the Los Angeles Mission, or woman into the Anne Douglas Center, deserving of respect and self-improvement. This is the goal of UTI, as well as developing a passion for life-long learning in formerly homeless men and women. The Institute provides opportunities for Christian education, academic studies and vocational training. With these tools, we see lives turned around and rebuilt,” McNott said.

For over 50 years, the Los Angeles Mission has served the people of Hope Central (known as Skid Row), providing emergency services such as shelter, food, clothing, as well as professional medical and dental services. In addition, the Los Angeles Mission also offers long-term residential rehabilitation programs including education, job training/placement, transitional housing and counseling.

Established in 1986, etnies started out by designing the best skateboarding shoes available. Owned and operated by World Champion Skateboarder Pierre André Senizergues, etnies dedication to quality footwear and apparel is unparalleled. From the creation of the very first pro model skate shoe, to expanding that innovation to include other action sports like snowboarding, surfing, moto-x and BMX, etnies has always been there, crafting the quality, style and functionality that has changed the face of the action sports footwear industry. For more information contact: Ashton Maxfield: 949.900.2884 or Ashton.Maxfield@soletechnology.com.

Political leaders in attendance Friday:
Cong. Lucille Roybal-Allard
Cong. Hilda Solis
City Councilman Antonio Villagiarosa
City Councilman Dennis Zine
City Councilman Tom LaBonge
City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo
Police Chief William Bratton

Celebrities in attendance:
James Avery (Fresh Prince)
Dave Clark (KCBS/KCAL TV)
Billy Davis JR. (5th Dimension(
Ellen Dubin (Napoleon Dynamite)
Bobby Edner (Spy Kids 3-D)
Ashley Edner (House of Sand and Fog)
Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina, the Teenage Witch)
Tanya Hutchinson (Mrs. Orange County International)
Roma Maffia (Holes)
Marilyn McCoo (5th Dimension)
Jayne Meadows
Allison Munn (What I Like About You)
Austin Peck (Days of Our Lives)
Julianne Moore (Days of Our Lives)
Kristoffer Polaha (Northshore)
Steve Railsback (Ed Gein)
Suzanne Whang (Househunters)
Natashia Williams (Romeo!)
Bonnie-Jill Laflin (Speedworld)
Kristen Kirchner (The Apprentice)
Jose Yenque (The Division)
Courtney Draper (The Days)
Apollonia (Purple Rain)