Doing The Right Thing

If you are a runner, you probably have used running shoes in the back of your closet. I have a lot. This time of year, many of us make New Year's Resolutions. Many of them have to do with self-improvement (running more or exercising more is often on the list). I want to suggest that you commit to helping others who run (or participate in your activity of choice). Here's some information about something I am going to do:

One of Runner's World's Heroes of Running for 2005 was Ana Weir of One World Running. I want to suggest that you call the newsletter editor for your local running club and set up a shoe collection at one of their runs, remember to ask club members to also donate money to the charity.

Box the collected shoes and ship them to:
One World Running
PO Box 2223
Boulder, CO 80306
or, if not using the post office:
One World Running
c/o Sports Department
Daily Camera Newspaper
1048 Pearl St
Boulder, CO 80302

If you can manage it, please also make a donation to them. Checks should be made payable to: One World Running. Contributions are tax-deductible, as One World Running is a 501-C-3 organization. Most of the shoes go to Africa, but some also go the Latin America and the Carribean. It costs almost $4.00/pair to transport the shoes to Africa, and about $2.00/pair in the Americas, so contributions are needed as much as shoes. Shoes deemed unfit for reuse are sent to Nike through Boulder, CO's Eco-cycle program to be ground for use in tracks and playgrounds. All work for this charity is volunteer, every dollar given is used either in sanitizing shoes or transporting them. They also collect soccer and baseball gear.

I have about 10 pair that will soon be en route to Colorado.