Spring Break
Local shoe shop gives to charity
Katie Harper
Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: News
After two years in business, Roberts Running and Walking in Huntington has become known for quality athletic shoes and specialized shoe fittings, but few know of the business's charitable contributions.
Since its opening in November of 2006, owner Robert Smith has collected used running shoes for donation to charitable organizations. To date, he said the store has collected approximately 400 pairs of shoes.
All donated shoes eventually find their way to a person in need.
"It's a great thing that's going on here," Smith said. "We can take gently worn shoes from runners or walkers and give them a second life with another person."
Often, the shoes are simply not the correct fit for buyers, so they are returned to the store and placed in the store's donation container. In other cases, companies, such as Asics, instruct store owners not to resell the shoes and give them to charity instead.
The store also collects shoes at the annual Marshall Marathon. Last year, Smith said they collected approximately 500 pairs of shoes at the race alone.
The marathon allows Smith to gather hundreds of shoes in one day.
"After we finished collecting, we put them all in the back of trucks and drove them to where they were needed," Smith said.
The shoes make their way to several organizations, such as Green Acres, the City Mission, the Harmony House and the Echo House.
John Mendez of the Harmony House said he views the shoes as a gift of confidence rather than footwear.
"By providing people with relatively new, well crafted shoes, they can commute to their job interviews with more confidence and comfort," Mendez said. "Ultimately, this makes them more competitive in the job market."
Emma Sue Smith, a supervisor at Green Acres, said she appreciates the shoe donations and anticipates their arrivals.
"Clients look forward to fittings with supervisors for their new pair of shoes," Smith said. "They're proud to say where their shoes are from when asked."
Since its opening in November of 2006, owner Robert Smith has collected used running shoes for donation to charitable organizations. To date, he said the store has collected approximately 400 pairs of shoes.
All donated shoes eventually find their way to a person in need.
"It's a great thing that's going on here," Smith said. "We can take gently worn shoes from runners or walkers and give them a second life with another person."
Often, the shoes are simply not the correct fit for buyers, so they are returned to the store and placed in the store's donation container. In other cases, companies, such as Asics, instruct store owners not to resell the shoes and give them to charity instead.
The store also collects shoes at the annual Marshall Marathon. Last year, Smith said they collected approximately 500 pairs of shoes at the race alone.
The marathon allows Smith to gather hundreds of shoes in one day.
"After we finished collecting, we put them all in the back of trucks and drove them to where they were needed," Smith said.
The shoes make their way to several organizations, such as Green Acres, the City Mission, the Harmony House and the Echo House.
John Mendez of the Harmony House said he views the shoes as a gift of confidence rather than footwear.
"By providing people with relatively new, well crafted shoes, they can commute to their job interviews with more confidence and comfort," Mendez said. "Ultimately, this makes them more competitive in the job market."
Emma Sue Smith, a supervisor at Green Acres, said she appreciates the shoe donations and anticipates their arrivals.
"Clients look forward to fittings with supervisors for their new pair of shoes," Smith said. "They're proud to say where their shoes are from when asked."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Coach Jeff Schultz
posted 12/12/08 @ 12:31 AM EST
ROBERTS RUNNING SHOP IS A GREAT STORE. THOSE GUYS WILL HELP WITH ANYTHING. THEY HAVE HELPED MY KIDS WITH ALL THEIR RUNNING NEEDS AND TREAT ME AND MY SON GREAT EVERYTIME WE STOP BY. (Continued…)
Cancer Cure
posted 1/07/09 @ 9:58 PM EST
It is a very good thing that they are giving their shoes to charitites. Too many people throw away very good shoes and sneakers. Sometimes they are almost new. (Continued…)
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