Crocs Donates 50,000 Shoes to Samaritan’s Feet
Author: DavidJones // Category: Ethics, Serving, Social Injustice, Sports
At the beginning of 2008, IUPUI men’s basketball coach, Ron Hunter, decided he wanted to make a difference in the world. He did something that had never been done before at the major college level. Coach Hunter took off his shoes and coached barefoot during one of IUPUI’s games.
Why would Coach Hunter do something this odd? He wanted to raise awareness for Samaritan’s Feet, an organization that seeks to provide shoes to children in other countries who do not have shoes.
Hunter immediately was noticed for his brave efforts. Donations began to pour in all around the country as people donated shoes to help children in poor countries.
Now Hunter is back at it again. On January 17, Coach Hunter will go shoeless again. But this time he’s not alone. Several other coaches will be joining him in this effort to raise awareness.
This morning, Coach Hunter appeared on the Mike & Mike Show in the Morning on ESPN Radio and ESPN2. During the phone conversation, someone from Crocs called in.
Crocs has graciously decided to donate 50,000 pairs of shoes to Samaritan’s Feet.
Coach Hunter’s response was priceless: “Fifty what?!?!?”
Sports has been given a black eye by a lot of different thing–steroids, Pac Man Jones, Plaxico Burress, contract disputes, greedy athletes, etc.
Thankfully, there are people like Coach Ron Hunter who are trying to make a difference in a different way.
If you would like to find out how you can get involved with Samaritan’s Feet, visit www.samaritansfeet.org or click here.
Tags: Crocs, IUPUI, Mike & Mike in the Morning, Ron Hunter, Samaritan's Feet
January 15th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Here is something that would be extreme, but could make a statement regarding this issue.
What about a group of people, or maybe just one, who walked the “Music City Marathon” barefoot. Some people would look down and think it was ridiculous to do to yourself. But if it’s about making a statement to raise awareness, why not do something to inconvenience yourself? Your blisters will go away …
January 15th, 2009 at 9:45 am
I think the Kenyans already do that…and still win.
January 15th, 2009 at 9:46 am
I really think I might look into that…