Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Payless

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and for the third consecutive year, Payless ShoeSource has launched the Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship Program in partnership with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF). Starting September 1, Payless will sell two limited-edition bracelets for $2 each, perfect for collecting and layering, and the retailer will donate 100 percent of the net sales to establish scholarships to support the higher education of Hispanic youth.

The Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship Program offers consumers the opportunity to show their support with fun, fashion flair with the on-trend affordable accessory that is completely philanthropic and designed to support this important and worthy cause. This year’s exclusively designed bracelets are offered in two popular fall colors: blue and purple and are perfect for collecting and layering. The stylish design features an elastic multi-band and three dangling charms engraved with inspirational words on each side (English on one side, Spanish on the other): Dream/Soñar, Believe/Creer, and Inspire/Inspirar.

"We are thrilled to once again collaborate with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund to create opportunities for Hispanic students to pursue their college education," said Gaby Alban, spokesperson for Payless ShoeSource. "We want people to join us and buy both—even many—bracelets to show their support for this year's Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship program."

Celebrating its thirty-fifth year, the HSF has awarded over $300 million, resulting in close to 100,000 scholarships to students in need. Last year's Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship program made possible for Payless to award twelve HSF scholarships to students from all over the country for the 2010–2011 academic year. The company has a minimum guaranteed donation of $37,000 for the 2010 program.

"The funds I received helped make my first year of doctoral studies a thriving reality," says Naihobe Gonzalez, a doctoral student in economics at Columbia University and a recipient of one of last year's Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarships. "What's more, this scholarship represented more than just financial support—it was a welcome vote of confidence in me, a gesture that encouraged me to persevere despite the challenges that an unfamiliar and rigorous new academic environment presented. Although each award lasts only a year, the contribution Payless has made does not end. "

For more information on the two limited-edition bracelets and/or the Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship Program, please visit http://www.payless.com/hhm. For more information on the HSF, go to: http://www.HSF.net.