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June 29, 2020
BERKELEY, CA (June 29, 2020) – West Margin Press®, an Ingram Content Group® independent publisher, has announced a new book in partnership with The Front Steps Project™, a non-profit venture created by Kristen Collins and Cara Soulia. The Front Steps Project is a fundraising endeavor that brings communities together and helps those struggling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Front Steps Project was created on March 18 of this year by Collins and Soulia as a fundraiser for their local community in Needham, MA. Soulia, a professional family photographer in Boston, offered to take a portrait of residents and their loved ones on their front steps in exchange for a donation to her local community council, which organizes the town food pantry.
Within days of launching The Front Steps Project, photographers across the United States and Canada —as well as Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Poland, Scotland and more—were inspired to start their own philanthropic “front step” programs in their communities. As of June 10, 2020, more than 450 photographers have voluntarily replicated #TheFrontStepsProject in their own communities raising over $1,825,000 for local food pantries, hospitals, animal shelters and more.
“When we came up with the idea for The Front Steps Project, our goal was to stay connected with our neighbors and support our local food bank in a time of crisis,” says Soulia. “We never expected that, within weeks, we would be connected to hundreds of selfless, caring, talented people from across the U.S., Canada, and even the globe. It’s been inspiring to meet them - virtually - and learn about the impact of COVID in their lives and communities.”
The official TheFront Steps Project book will commemorate this massive effort of good will in gift book form with 300 photographs, curated by Collins and Soulia, and dozens of stories from both the participating photographers, as well as their subjects, on how the virus and subsequent isolation has impacted their lives. The book, which will be available November 10, 2020, aims to be a heartwarming keepsake of togetherness depicting an unprecedented time in our country.
“We are honored that Kristen and Cara agreed to partner with us to tell their inspiring story and help spread the word about their efforts with The Front Steps Project,” says West Margin Press Publishing Director Jennifer Newens. “As a tribute to their good work, and to keep paying it forward, we will be donating a portion of our earnings to the United Way Worldwide's COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund to aid its own efforts to help people impacted by this pandemic.”
“The Front Steps Project has been a life-changing experience for both of us,” says Collins. “Witnessing hundreds of our peers and comrades voluntarily put their skills to work to spread joy and raise vital funds has been uplifting and inspirational. All profits received by The Front Steps Project will be donated to a national non-profit, which we’ll determine with input from our fantastic network of photographers when the time comes.”
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West Margin Press is an independent publisher and is part of Ingram Content Group. WestMarginPress.com
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Media Contact: Shannon Hunt, shannon@tsgnashville.com, 615-321-3110
