Naot Shoes Put Spring in Lazarus House' Step

Women in need are walking better, thanks to The Meeting Place, one of the Merra-Lee Shops located in downtown Geneva.

The Meeting Place recently donated 120 pairs of Naot shoes to Lazarus House, the emergency shelter, transitional housing and outreach service provider in St. Charles. 
    
"They show up twice a year. This is their third or fourth year (donating shoes)," said Darlene Marcusson, director of Lazarus House, who happens to own her own pair of Naot shoes. 
            
The shoes, imported through Yaleet Inc., are made at Kibbutz Naot Mordechai in northern Israel. The shoe factory opened in 1942 and first began producing work boots. In the late 1980s, Naot began to manufacture a variety of footwear with a unique anatomical footpad. 

"They're very well made, and very comfortable," Marcusson said. "We are so grateful we're able to offer shoes of this quality, that fit so well, to our ladies. It's so important, becuase these women spend so much time walking, job hunting and working."

"Naot very strongly believes in giving back," said Janet Cornerford, Naot shoe manager at The Meeting Place. "They offer to their vendors, twice a year, shoes that are slightly flawed or discontinued. I submit a letter that we're interested, and tell them whom I want to choose (to receive the donation). They give us between 100 to 150 pairs. We've done it for Lazarus House and for a couple of women's shelters in Aurora."       

The Meeting Place carries mainly women's shoes, but has a selection of Naots for men, as well.

When the Meeting Place opened six years ago, Naot shoes were carried in another Geneva store, The Sea Captain's Lady. When that store closed, it turned its stock of shoes over to The Meeting place, which now carries an extensive selection of this brand. 

"We say we don't sell shoes, we sell happy feet," Cornerford said.             

During the semi-annual shoe donation, Meeting Place customers are invited to participate by bringing in gently used shoes of any brand and other clothing items, which are also included in the donation. 
            
The Meeting Place has the largest selection of Naot footwear in Illinois, also hosts a Naot "Shoe Party" twice a year. The next event will be held Sept. 23-26.
            
Stop by and see why customers come back for Naot shoes, year after year, at The Meeting Place: 15 S. Third St., Geneva, Il. You can also learn more about the upcoming shoe sale and other events, by visiting www.merralee.com.