Wanda Sykes Teams Up With 50Kshoes.com To Raise Funds for Haiti

Emmy Award-winning actress, comedian and writer, teams up www.50KShoes.com to raise funds for Soles4Souls, the international shoe charity, and their ongoing relief efforts to the victims of the devastated country of Haiti. The charity has pledged 1.3 million of shoes, of which 120,000 pairs already sent, to be distributed to Haitians during a sustained giving plan in coordination with other agencies.

Usually known for her sharp, edgy humor and style, Wanda's plea for the people of Haiti is sensitive and poignant. As little as five dollars will provide two people with a pair of shoes," states Wanda Sykes" She adds "Let's all come together and do what we can for the people of Haiti."

"We are so grateful to all of our partners, from individuals to talented and extremely busy celebrities like Wanda Sykes, for stepping up to help the victims of Haiti," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. "These people are struggling to rebuild their lives and something as simple as the gift of shoes will help give them hope through the devastation."

Donating is easy at www.50Kshoes.com. It requires no shipping and no trips to the post office. The suggested donation is very affordable, with $5.00 buying two pairs of new shoes. With the new world of blogging, emailing, twittering, and through many other forms of social media, Wanda's video and support will help spread the charity's mission to "Change the World, One Pair at a Time." In addition, money raised thru www.50Kshoes.com will go specifically toward the Haitian relief effort. According to Soles4Souls, a pair of new shoes is absolutely necessary in order for the Haitian survivors to be effective in the rescue and rebuilding efforts amidst broken glass, twisted metal and raw sewage.

Fans can catch Wanda on her new Saturday late-night series on FOX, The Wanda Sykes Show. The high-energy one-hour show features biting commentary on topical issues and heated panel discussions with recurring personalities. The series' unique format highlights Sykes' outspoken comedic perspective on current events with segments outside of the studio. She will also be performing in Atlantic City on Saturday, June 5, 2010 at The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa. For Wanda's FOX schedule, personal appearances and to buy one of her hilarious DVD's, please visit www.wandasykes.com. And to become a Wanda Sykes Fan, please visit her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheWandaSykesShow.

About Wanda Sykes
Wanda Sykes has been called "one of the funniest stand up comics" by her peers and ranks among Entertainment Weekly's 25 Funniest People in America. Her smart-witted stand up has sent her career in many different areas.

Sykes recently debuted in her own late night talk show on Fox. The Wanda Sykes Show will be weekly and airs on Saturday nights. In October she was seen in her second HBO stand up special I'ma Be Me. Sykes also returns as "Barb" on the CBS comedy THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE.

Her HBO comedy special Wanda Sykes: SICK & TIRED debuted in October 2006 and was nominated for a 2007 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special. It was taped before a live audience at the Moore Theatre in Seattle, Wanda Sykes: SICK & TIRED and featured material from her recent national tour. Among the topics covered were: politics, gay marriage, karma, healthcare, racial profiling, the pressure of being a woman and the perks of getting older.

Sykes was seen in the feature films "Evan Almighty," the sequel to "Bruce Almighty," in which she co-starred with Steve Carell, the New Line feature "Monster-In-Law" starring opposite Jennifer Lopez and Jane Fonda, and was heard in the animated feature "Over The Hedge" for Dreamworks as well as "The Barnyard" for Paramount Pictures. She can also be seen co-starring with Luke Wilson and Uma Thurman in the romantic comedy "My Super Ex-Girlfriend." Sykes starred and produced the Comedy Central show "Wanda Does It" where she tried various non-showbiz jobs. Her first book titled Yeah, I Said It, published by Simon and Schuster, hit bookstores in September 2004. Yeah, I Said It is a hilarious collection of essays touching on life, family and current events.

In the fall of 2003 she was seen on Fox's "Wanda at Large" which she wrote, produced and starred in. She also has a one hour Comedy Central special called "Wanda Sykes: Tongue Untied". In addition, she can be seen on HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" or heard on Comedy Central's "Crank Yankers" as the voice of Gladys Murphy.

Wanda was born in Portsmouth, Virginia and raised in Maryland. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Hampton University. Her stand-up career began at a Coors Light Super talent Showcase in Washington, DC where she performed for the first time in front of a live audience.

She spent 5 years as part of the HBO's critically acclaimed "Chris Rock Show." As a performer and writer on the show, she was nominated for three Primetime Emmy's and in 1999 won the Emmy for "Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special." In 2001, she won the American Comedy Award for "Outstanding Female Stand Up Comic." She won three more Emmy's, in 2002, 2004 and 2005, for her work on "Inside the NFL" for "Outstanding Studio Show - Weekly- Inside The NFL".*condensed bio as of 10/09*

About Soles4Souls®
Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from The Warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. The charity distributes these shoes free of charge to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 7 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently donating one pair every 9 seconds.) The shoes have been distributed to people in over 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States. Soles4Souls has been featured in Runner's World, Ladies' Home Journal, National Geographic's Green Guide and The New York Times. It has appeared on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, BBC, CNN and thousands of regional news outlets across North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Anyone can join our cause, and we need your help. Visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.

Introducing Clothes4Souls^TM
Soles4Souls is proud to announce the launch of their new division, Clothes4Souls. We strive to increase dignity and hope for hurting people through the gift of new clothing from manufacturers, designers, and retailers. Those who graciously donate (rather than destroy) unused inventory will be assured the clothes will be given to people around the world living in desperate need. Visit www.clothes4souls.org for more information.