Reuse your running shoes

  • Published
  • By Senior Airmans Tabitha M. Mans
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Do you have old running shoes you need to get rid of? Don't just throw them out; reuse them.

The Aviano Health and Wellness Center and 5/6 Club are collecting shoes for One World Running, a non-profit organization that sends shoes worldwide to countries who cannot afford to buy their own and those affected by natural disasters.

On June 25 at 7 a.m., there will be a 5K fun/run to conclude this event, at the Dragon Fitness Center. The fun/run is to promote awareness of health, fitness and nutrition. Everyone is invited to attend. Participants are not required to make a donation to enter the run.

"Donate your old tennis shoes," said Staff Sgt. Rebekah Albert, 31st Aerospace Medicine Squadron tobacco cessation instructor. "All sizes are needed; and please come to the benefit run."

One World Running was founded in 1986 in Boulder, Colo., by a small group of runners. The idea for the running shoe recycling organization was born when sports journalist Mike Sandrock went on a racing and coaching trip in Cameroon. Many of the Cameroon runners ran barefoot and although they didn't have running shoes, several of them beat Mr. Sandrock. Realizing their potential and need for equipment, Mr. Sandrock and other elite runners from Boulder began shipping donated used running shoes to Africa. Since then, the group has collected, washed and shipped countless donated used running shoes, t-shirts and shorts to countries in need.

"Our goal is 250 pairs of shoes," said Staff Sgt. Samantha Gray, 31st AMDS, physical therapy craftsman. "Right now, we have more than 50."

Any size, brand or color shoes will all be accepted during the shoe drive. Any shoes not suitable for shipping will be sent to Nike's Reuse A Shoe program to be ground into material that's used to build running track and playgrounds.

"After the run is completed we will count the shoes, package them and send the boxes to One World Running," said Sergeant Albert.

Monetary donations will also be accepted. It costs approximately $3 a pair to clean and ship these shoes. If shoes are to be washed before they are donated, remember to wash them in cold water and air dry them. Using the dryer can melt the glue in the running shoes.

Shoe drop of points are the Aviano HAWC, Dragon Fitness Center and Area 2 Fitness Center. All monetary donations can be taken to the HAWC.

"I feel that this event can be helpful for people who are in need of shoes," said Sergeant Albert. "Even if we only get 200 pairs of shoes, that is 200 people who will be walking in real shoes instead of homemade shoes made of plastic bottles and string."