Ashley Tisdale teams up with ShoeDazzle for charity

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Former Disney star Ashley Tisdale collaborated with shoe retailer ShoeDazzle to create a pair of boots to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The 29-year-old singer and actress chose the organization because a couple of her family members have lost their lives to cancer.

"My grandfather died of cancer," the actress told Seventeen magazine. "I wrote a song about it and him. When I heard about the things St. Jude does for cancer research, I knew I had to give back."

The High School Musical star got to spend some time with the organization and said watching their daily work was "an amazing thing."

"They pay for everything from housing and food, and everything is so that the child will get better," she recounted. "When I visited, I was like, 'I'll do whatever it takes.' It was so heart-breaking."

Tisdale chose a pair of black ankle boots to represent her partnership with ShoeDazzle Cares. All profits from the item -- which retails at $59.95 or $39.95 for those who have a subscription -- will be donated to St. Judes.

"I'm such a boots person," the actress said. "I love how it has multiple straps, and since it's all-black, it goes with everything. It's easy to pair with anything like an oversized sweater and leather leggings."