The Running Exchange

Vital Stats

Leah M

Thomaston, CT

people helped100
People Doing It 4

The Problem

Through The Running Exchange we are building and connecting communities between the U.S. and the Naivasha Kenya area. The various communities in the U.S. can come together through donating new and used sneakers that they do not wear anymore. By donating new and used sneakers we can work to eliminate excess waste that many Americans have. Not only does this project reach out to active runners who go through many sneakers a year, but it works to connect the Olympic Athlete with the recreation runners, the First and Third World Countries, the old and the young, the rich and the poor. Many americans are throwing away things that can be reused and recycled, or keep it, allowing it to clutter up their lives and homes. In an effort to prevent sneakers from being thrown out and filling up landfills we are asking Americans to donate their used sneakers to The Running Exchange. Not only will this help them clean up their homes and create a healthier environment for them themselves both now and in the future, but they will also help the poverty stricken areas such as Naivasha, Kenya, who receive and use the reusable sneakers. The areas of and around Naivasha are growing but they are still stuck in poverty. Through running they are finding an escape both emotionally and financially, but without proper resources it is very difficult for them to improve themselves and their living environment. The donations of running and wearing sneakers is just one small step to help them out of poverty and improve disposition.

Plan of Action

The Running Exchange has expanded immensely since it first began by simply collecting sneakers from our Track and Cross Country teammates. Upon hearing about the various needs in Naivasha, we knew one thing that we could do to help, which was donating the sneakers we no longer needed. Since our initial collection, we have been able to collect over 300 pairs of sneakers and have sent 3 shipments over to Naivasha and donated 100 pairs of sneakers to recycling facilities. We have set up a variety of donation bins at schools in Connecticut and Massachusetts and have thus been able to reach a larger population instead of just competitive athletes. We started with our friends at practices and then set up donations at local road races. We have used both the internet as a means of networking through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter and are currently working on a website for the project as well. We have also set up donation bins at places such as local recreation departments, fitness centers, podiatrist offices, chiropractor centers, etc. This way we can meet people in person and connect to a variety of different communities who may not have heard about the project otherwise such as the elderly or children. By setting it up bins at these designated facilities we are able to target an audience who may be needing new sneakers or have old sneakers going unused. In doing so, we are helping the communities around us to eliminate waste and clean out their closets and garages, by collecting and reusing and recycling their unused shoes. These various locations also help us expand our project and market in a more personal way instead of just via the internet. Making connections and reaching out and talking to people about the project is the best way to have the largest impact and get people engaged and excited about the project. The more sneakers we are able to collect and ship, the more we are able to touch those in Kenya. We have also been in contact with Paul Tergat, in Kenya who has helped us distribute some sneakers to young athletes at his running camps near Naivasha. The sneakers donated can be used for both wearing and race training, helping them survive in their current living situation, making it easier for them to improve themselves. The best part about sending the sneakers is getting photos back and hearing the stories about people using them. We heard back about one special man named Milton who was a chicken farmer in Naivasha. When our second shipment of sneakers was sent out he picked out two pairs of sneakers that he was going to use to train for the upcoming Nairobi marathon. Every pair of sneakers we send to Kenya makes a life time of a difference. Something that is so simple for us, such as eliminating waste by cleaning out our closets and garages, will provide others with a lifetime of safety, happiness, and memories, one sneaker at a time.