Lend a Helping Foot
July 16, 2008 by Kelly Turner
Filed under Fitness
If you are like me, you go through a lot of running shoes. Well, if you are really like me, you go through a lot of shoes in general, but that‘s beside the point. I have a little system: I buy a new pair of running shoes and use them for work, then slowly they make their way to my gym. As they go out of style get increasingly torn up, they turn into my outside shoes, for running and hiking, and I buy a new pair. As this new pair gets less so fresh and so clean-clean, I start to wear those outside and the others get pushed to the back of my closet. There they sit, for the rest of eternity, plotting their revenge with that box of scrap booking supplies I thought were a good idea at the time.
If you’ve got a shoe grave yard like mine, why not use those shoes to do a little good? Consider sending your old kicks to Shoe4Africa.org. The organization takes your old, gently used running shoes and delivers them to runners in Africa. The organization has now branched out into training camps, athletic scholarships and sponsored races, for athletes and children alike.
Most of these Africans, who’s lives and families have been ravaged by AIDS, have never owned a pair a shoes. The AIDS pandemic has left more than 14 million children orphaned: 92% of them live in Africa, with no one to provide for them. Instead of letting your old shoes collect dust, let them change a life.
Thank you for sharing this idea. I love it. I think I might have to gather up some old shoes when I get home.
I LOVE this!! I have been going through shoes like mad since I started running. And I have plenty of runner/gym-goer friends I will be passing this on to!! Thanks for the info!
I, too, have a graveyard of shoes! And it’s time they go to good use. Plus, it would force me to clean out my closet. Everyone wins.
I have a shameful number of old running shoes that look barely worn but can’t hold up to actual miles anymore. I have always thought about donating them somewhere but have never put a lot of effort into finding a place. I will send off at least 2 pairs of shoes by middle of next week. Hold me to that!
you guys are so sweet! pass along the word- they are just sitting there anyway.
the organization used to actually pay for you to ship them, which i think is amazing, but they can’t afford to anymore. support them in anyway you can!
now i dont feel so bad about spending so much money on my running shoes, because the quality just gets passed on!
ok, i still feel a little guilty….
And for those running shoes that are TOTALLY SHOT, done in, can’t take another step, worn slick (well, you get the picture) . . . many independent running stores collect them to to donate to the Nike Reuse a Shoe program: http://www.nikebiz.com/responsibility/community_programs/reuse_a_shoe.html
So, now there’s absolutely NO reason to clog up your closets with old running shoes! Pass along the usable ones and grind up those funky ones. :)
This is really a great option for those old running shoes. I recently sent a bunch of my old cell phones to Phones for Soldiers and it felt so good! I received a postage paid envelope in my Amazon order so all I had to do was put the phone and charger in (doesn’t matter if you don’t have the charger) and drop it in the mailbox. The website is http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com if any of you are interested.
Thanks for the info. I have some brooks that have come to their end for running (they are over the 500 mile zone). Will definitely look into this.
This is a great idea – I’m going to do it.
perfect idea… for both the shoes and the cell phone idea as well! although i don’t have any old cell phones… someday. when i’m out of my CONTRACT OF DEATH with nextel. bah.
thanks for all the extra links! i would send my old cell phones but they are all ruined due to me dropping them in the toilet/washing machine.
come to think of it i really dont know why i still have them.