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Protege Footwear & Apparel Brand Debuts Exclusively at Kmart

Posted on: Tuesday, 3 February 2009, 05:00 CST

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- In a move that is sure to be a "slam dunk" with teens and young men, the Protege brand of prestige, affordable footwear and apparel will make its debut exclusively in Kmart stores and at www.kmart.com in February 2009. Protege, a "give back" brand created by NBA star Al Harrington, was designed so that basketball enthusiasts of all ages and income levels can have high-quality, stylish shoes and apparel, just like the pros wear, while empowering the community and giving hope, inspiration and confidence to young people.

Protege has assembled some of the athletic sportswear industry's best creative talent to build a unique collection distinguished by edgy, confident styling and court-ready, high-quality construction with technical features rivaling shoes at 3-4 times the price. The Protege line has been personally tested on-court by Harrington, a New York Knicks forward, and Stephen Jackson of Oakland's Golden State Warriors, who both play and practice in their Proteges.

"We're proud that Protege has chosen to launch its exciting line of footwear and apparel exclusively at Kmart," said Nick Grayston, who serves as president of the company's footwear division. "Not only does Protege support the Kmart Smart commitment to offer our customers exclusive brands and quality products at prices they can afford, the team at Protege also is equally committed to giving back to the communities we serve."

The Protege footwear line features an all-star lineup of on-trend styles for men and boys. The men's footwear line, available in sizes 7-16, features five sneaker styles priced at $34.99 and two slide styles priced at $19.99. The three boys' styles are available in sizes 13-6, priced at $27.99. The Protege apparel line also includes casual styles for men and boys, featuring performance shorts and t-shirts.

"When I was growing up, my mother would give me $200 at the beginning of each school year to buy clothing and shoes for myself and my two siblings," said Harrington. "It was tough to find affordable sneakers that also offered court-ready craftsmanship, style, class and comfort."

Harrington recognized his childhood experience was not atypical for many aspiring basketball players across the country - leading to the creation of the Protege collection and a tireless dedication to provide educational and life-enriching opportunities to help children fully develop and realize their potential.

"The price for Proteges is set at $34.99, because we all realize you don't need money to play the game ... you need shoes," added Harrington. "Kids need opportunities. I am choosing to partner with Kmart because they understand that."

The launch of Protege is part of Kmart's footwear re-launch which will feature new and exclusive brands both in stores nationwide and online beginning in February 2009. The footwear re-launch is designed to help Kmart customers fulfill the needs of their families, without sacrificing shopping expectations related to value, fashion and performance.

To celebrate its partnership with Protege and its commitment to providing affordable, quality footwear, Kmart is donating one million pairs of shoes to Samaritan's Feet, a humanitarian relief organization that provides footwear to children in need around the world, many of whom have never had a pair of shoes of their own. The goal of Samaritan's Feet is to provide 10 million pairs of shoes for 10 million impoverished people in 10 years. Kmart's donation - the single largest in the history of Samaritan's Feet - will help the organization complete that mission an entire year earlier than scheduled. The donation, which has the support of Protege athletes Harrington and Jackson, will be distributed around the world in the 42 countries that Samaritan's Feet currently serves.

About Kmart

Kmart, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a mass-merchandising company that offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, Martha Stewart Everyday and Route 66. For more information visit the company's Web site at www.kmart.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation Web site at www.searsholdings.com.

About Protege

Protege is a "give back" brand created by NBA star Al Harrington designed to empower the community and give hope, inspiration and confidence to the youth who wear the product. Protege has assembled some of the athletic sportswear industry's best creative talent to build a unique collection of practically priced, high quality, proven on-court professional athletic footwear and apparel products for the growing tween and teen market segments. For more information visit the company's Web site at www.protegemvp.com.

About Samaritan's Feet

Samaritan's Feet, based in Charlotte, N.C., is a humanitarian non-profit relief organization dedicated to equipping the feet of impoverished children in the United States and around the world with shoes, and delivering a life-changing message of hope.

Its goal is to provide 10 million pairs of shoes for 10 million impoverished people in 10 years. To date, nearly one million pairs of shoes have been collected for children in the United States, Africa, South America and the Caribbean.

Samaritan's Feet was started in 2003 by President and Founder Manny Ohonme. Manny received his first pair of shoes at the age of nine from a missionary. He started playing basketball and other sports with the new pair of shoes. He earned a spot on a traveling basketball team and eventually his high school team. Upon graduating high school, he was offered a scholarship to play basketball at University of North Dakota (Lake Region) where he received his bachelor's and master's degrees.

Manny spent 10 years in the marketing and logistics business before he started Samaritan's Feet to help give children what he received earlier in life - a pair of shoes that gave him hope.

Samaritan's Feet domestic projects include: Biloxi and Long Beach, Miss.; South Dakota; Jolo and Bradshaw, W.Va.; St. Louis, Mo.; Charlotte, N.C.; Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland.

In addition, shoes have been distributed in over 42 other countries including: Tsunami-Sri Lanka; Romania; Ukraine; Haiti; Nigeria; Kenya; Ethiopia; Ecuador; South Africa; Jamaica; Guyana; Mexico; Brazil; Ecuador; Peru; Malawi; Gambia and Burundi.

SOURCE Kmart

Source: PR Newswire

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