That is of course, assuming they are lucky enough to have shoes.

Pioneer Offroad Rentals hopes to warm bare feet around the world by collecting 50,000 pairs of gently warn shoes as part of Souls4Soles Canada’s Million Shoe Mission.

Some of the footwear will go to the Bissell Centre and other local organisation while the rest will go to a distribution center in Nevada to be sorted and shipped to developing nations and disaster areas around the world.

“We have so much stuff to be thankful for, and this is such an easy way for us to make a difference for some other people,” says Pioneer Offroad Rental President Harry Hoyer.

Worn-out footwear

“Some people in other countries, if you watch the videos, are wearing their sister’s shoes,  or dad’s over sized shoes, or shoes that are worn out.”

Soul4Souls has distributed more than 17 million pairs of shoes and responded to more than 40 natural disasters since its inception in 2004.

The organization came to Canada with a Kelowna campaign in 2010 and spread to Ontario and Quebec before hitting Edmonton.  This year’s Canada wide goal is to collect 400,000 pairs.

Pioneer is currently the only Edmonton drop-off location but Hoyer encourages other businesses to join in.  Anyone interested can contact Pioneer at 780-454-1010 or Edmonton@pioneerrentals.ca

“If another business wants to be a drop-off point, we’re certainly willing to put them in touch with the other main organizers, “Hoyer said.

Shoes can be dropped off at Pioneer Offroad Rentals, 7907 Davies Road, Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. until May 24^th.  The company also has locations in Fort McMurray, Athabasca and Grande Prairie Alberta.

By kevin.miamann@sunmedia.ca

“Soles 4 Souls Month in Edmonton (Canada)” 

Pioneer Offroad Rentals  – 7907 Davies Road, Edmonton, AB T6E 4N1 

Soles4Souls Canada

Changing the world, One Pair at a time

April 15th 2012 through May 24^th 2012

Edmonton, Alberta – Pioneer Offroad Rentals is proud to be an official drop off location in Alberta with locations in Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Athabasca, and Grande Prairie.

From April 15^st through May 24^th we will collect gently worn shoes will be collected as part of our goal to collect 50,000 pairs of shoes in the month of April as part of Sole4Souls Canada’s Million Shoe Mission.

In 2010 Jim Belshaw started Soles4Souls Canada and with the support of the citizens of Kelowna proceeded to collect 40,000 pairs of shoes for Soles4Souls. In 2011 60,000 pairs of shoes were collected. Pioneer is proud to be a supporter of this cause and hopes to match or beat Jim’s initial collection.

The goal in Canada this year is to collect 400,000 pairs of gently worn shoes in the month of April as part of Sole4Souls Canada’s Million Shoe Mission.

This year as part of our Soles4Souls Million Shoes Mission we will be collecting shoes in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. The Long-term goal is to make April – Soles4Soles Month in Canada.

Local Social agencies will be supported and the remaining shoes will be shipped to the Soles4Souls distribution Centre in Nevada where they will be sorted and shipped to where needed around the world.

Since its inception in 2004 Soles4Souls has distributed over 17 million pairs of shoes, and has responded to more than 40 natural disasters worldwide with crisis relief aid, including Hurricane Katrina, the Haiti earthquake in 2010, the Japan earthquake, and the Alabama and Missouri tornadoes in 2011.

With 1 in 4 people around the world living in abject poverty, the shoe charity also assists individuals living in developing nations and in the U.S. and Canada who cannot afford shoes.

In the last few years the tragedy in Haiti and Japan reminds us of the 300 million children around the world who live a life of tragedy and disaster every day. By giving them the gift of shoes, you tell them that it’s possible to dream beyond their current situation and remind them that there are people who love and care about them.

If you’re interested in supporting Soles4Souls’ relief efforts, let me encourage you to visit www.soles4soulscanada.com to find the nearest shoe drop-off location.  Monetary donations can be made also be made.

Situations like Haiti and Japan remind us just how much we have. Consider sharing your extra shoes and a few extra dollars to help change the lives of people around the world with the gift of shoes.

3 ways to help

1)       Drop off shoe locations at anyone of the drop off locations see http://soles4soulskelowna.blogspot.ca/

2)       A $1.00 donation buys 1 pair of NEW SANDALS. Go to www.soles4soulscanada.com/donate

3)       Organize a shoe drive at school, church, and your place of business or your neighborhood!!! 

WE NEED YOU TO CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS!!! 

Estimates are that every person has 3 or 4 pairs at least in their closet that are not worn any more but still in good shape. We ask that you clean out your closets but convince your friends, neighbors and relatives to do the same. We ask that the shoes have no holes in the soles and are in decent shape. All footwear including sandals and boots are accepted and needed.

PLEASE TIE SHOES TOGETHER OR USE ELASTIC BANDS TO HOLD SHOES IN PAIRS

It is also the GREEN thing to do. There is tons of discarded footwear in the landfills that contain toxic glue that holds our shoes together, when these break-down it can leak into our water supply and atmosphere.

Kelowna citizens and companies interested in donating can visit the Soles4Souls at www.soles4soulscanada.com 

SOLES4SOULS CANADA CONTACT: 

Harry Hoyer or Kristin Hoyer 

780-454-1010 

http://www.sole4soulscanada.com 

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About Soles4Souls® 

 Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you.

We distribute these shoes, free of charge, to people in need around the world. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 17 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 7 seconds).

The shoes have been distributed in 127 countries, including Haiti, Kenya, Nepal and the United States.

At Pioneer Rentals we work with businesses that need remote access equipment for locations 50 meters to 50 kilometres off road.

“We Start Where the Road Ends” and work with business owners that need to rent Argos, ATVs, Side-by-Sides, and Snowmobiles  to reach their remote job sites.

Our primary customers, in Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Athabasca, and Grande Prairie, need to overcome the seasonal and geographical challenges of their work areas.

Pioneer Rentals is the reliable provider that clients turn to when they face the toughest of environments. Pioneer Rentals provides access to ATVs, Argos, Side by Sides, amphibious and tracked vehicles which allows our clients to choose the most efficient tool for everyone’s benefit. We are also proud to provide the best in class off road professional training to our clients. Pioneer offers a full range of new training programs, on a regular basis, at our branches in Ft McMurray, Grande Prairie and Edmonton.

At Pioneer Rentals we reduce our clients’ concerns and rent the equipment with a high quality solution, while ensuring we get people in and out of the bush safely.

“We Start Where the Road Ends”

For more information, contact:

Toll Free: 1-888-715-1567
General Inquiries: info@pioneerrentals.ca
Accounting Inquiries: accounting@pioneerrentals.ca
Web: http://www.pioneerrentals.ca

Main Office: 780-715-1567
Email: fortmcmurray@pioneerrentals.ca
Toll Free: 1-888-715-1567
After Hours: 780-742-7994
Fax: 780-715-9306

Main Office: 780-675-5457
Email: athabasca@pioneerrentals.ca
Fax: 780-675-5433

Main Office: 780-814-5653
Email: grandeprairie@pioneerrentals.ca
Fax: 780-814-7330

Phone: 780-454-1010
Email: edmonton@pioneerrentals.ca
Fax: 780-454-1011

It’s that time of year again! Time for the Edmonton Boat and Sportsmen’s Show at the Edmonton Expo Centre. This year’s exciting event runs from March 15 to 18. Stop by to talk to our staff about rental options, 2nd generation Argo Cabs, and our exciting new line of Hydratrek Amphibious tracked machines.

Pioneer Offroad Rental, We Start Where the Road Ends.

5 advantages that make the Argo a necessary tool on your site this winter:

1. It carries multiple passengers. The typical snowmobile is not equipped for more than 1 passenger.
2. It carries your equipment with ease! The argo has a large cargo box for all your tools.
3. Pioneer’s Hard Cab system can protect you and your crew from the driving snow and harsh winds.
4. With a Hard Cab, the Argo can also be outfitted with a heater to keep everyone warm and safely out in the field for longer.
5. The argo is safer in the snow than other off road equipment.  The Argo reduces the risk of an incident, in the snow or crossing ice, by up to  90% when compared to other forms of off road equipment.

Pioneer Offroad Rentals

We Start Where the Road End

1. Get Training! Pioneer’s Argo Water Training course teaches operators how to properly enter and exit a body of water, and maneuver the unit while in the water.  Learning these techniques in a controlled environment will allow you to be ready to combat any terrain safely.
2. Properly install drain plugs. Not properly installing the plugs, before entering the water, can cause the unit to sink or capsize.
3. Have a plan. Before entering the water establish an entry, exit, and winching strategy.
4. Do not operate a tracked argo in water with a current. Tracked argos do not have the same propulsion as untracked units.
5. Balance the load. Before entering the water stabilize the unit by ensuring that both your passengers and cargo are properly balanced.
6. Use your body to maintain a stable argo. While in the water, shift your body weight in the Argo, as required, to maintain stability.
   
7. Wear your PFD. Safety is paramount so ensure all passengers wear their personal flotation devices.
8. Do not overload the unit. Always be sure that the the argo’s load (including yourself, all passengers, and your gear) does not exceed 700lbs.

Hidden hazards include:

• Driving through tall grass,
• Traveling over uneven ground,
• Running through dense cover in the bush,
• Driving over logs,
• Traversing through valleys

80% of damage to off road equipment is caused by only 20% of operators. Pioneer encourages all drivers to channel their inner elderly wisdom and operate equipment appropriately for the environment they are traveling through.

For more information on proper off-road equipment operation be sure to attend one of Pioneer’s training courses.

Argo Slider Blocks (commonly referred  to as Pucks) are an integral part of the Argo’s Slider-Chain Take Up System, and play a large role in insuring that your Argo is working properly. By paying more attention to puck wear, customers have reduced their down time, due to puck damage, by 50%. Pioneer has compiled a list of 6 ways to ensure you get the most use out of your pucks:

1. Operate Your Argo at Slow Speeds. Maintain a speed under 20 kms/hr, depending on the terrain and conditions, will help add longevity to your pucks.
2. Proper Chain Lubrication. Pioneer recommends properly lubricating the Slider-Chain Take up System every 8-10 hours with Chain Lube.
3. Drive in the Proper Gear For the Terrain. The Argo HDI and EFI Avenger each have two gear selections: HIGH range and LOW range. Run the HDI in HIGH gear and use the LOW gear for towing. Operate the EFI Avenger in LOW gear only. Using the right gear for the terrain is important and can reduce puck wear.
4. Maintain Proper Chain Tension. Refer to the Argo Operator’s Manual, or talk to a Pioneer Mechanic, for information on maintaing the Argo’s chain tension.
5. Minimize the Number of 180 Degree Turns. Avoid making shape turn; Instead, consider a 3 point turn in low gear when in tight situations.
6. Check Your Pucks Daily and Replace Them If Needed. Getting the maximum wear out of your pucks should not cause damage to other parts of the system. Not replacing the pucks often causes damage to the tensioner and can lead to unnecessary repair bills. You know your pucks are worn out when the chain rides half way into the puck (see Figure 1). Ideally they should look like Figure 2.

Figure 2