Our speaker for January 10 - Greg Woodburn
Greg is a runner. He loves to run. He was a 4-year distance runner and 2012 Distance Team Captain of the USC Men’s Track & Field Team. A few years back he had a few injuries and realized that, although running is hard, not running is harder. During his recuperation, he thought about helping other people.
He began an effort to collect used running shoes to give to those less fortunate. His initial goal was for 100 pairs of shoes. He received over 500 pair! With that start, he decided to make this a year-round endeavor. A nonprofit corporation was created and he promoted the concept to several universities. To date, over 13,500 pair of shoes have been received and given out.
On a trip to Mali, he was able to personally donate shoes to people, including the chief of a tribe. The chief thanked him and said he could now play soccer with the children! They had brought 113 pair and the people were excited. The next day, he ran laps around a loop that went through the village. The first few laps he was alone, then some kids joined him. In the end, about 20 were with him. But one young man had to stop at a place where there were rocks – because he had no shoes. Greg found the young man’s feet were the same size as his, so he gave him his own running shoes. (Way to go!)
Greg was in Ghana a year ago, and explained their organization emphasizes character traits too: goal setting, leadership development, and personal best efforts. They made a pyramid of cardboard boxes that had Coach Wooden’s pyramid of success on it.
If you would like to donate running (or walking) shoes, you can do so at Inside Track or CMH Fast Track fitness center. Greg will be part of our Rotary District’s Group Study Exchange to Sri Lanka, from February 10 – March 12. We’ll have to have him back to talk about his trip.
Thank you, Greg, for a very inspirational program on your humanitarian work.
Rocky Ludes
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