Running Free Foundation | The Running Zone

The Running Free Foundation-Connecting Kids in Need with the Soles for Running

The Running Free Foundation came into being when a casual conversation with a Running Zone customer lead us to a middle school track team in Sacramento whose kids were sharing two pairs of track spikes! They would take turns wearing the spikes for each of their races. Hearing that kids who really wanted to participate in the sport many of us love, but could not afford shoes for tugged at our teacher/parent/coach heartstrings. A mention to the track coaches at Elk Grove High School connected this entire team with brand new track spikes which had been donated to EGHS the previous year but were not being used. It also planted a seed of an idea in our heads & hearts to start a non-profit group which would match kids in need with the shoes they needed for running/fitness.

In late October 2008, a phone call to The Running Zone introduced us to a group of 60 elementary school kids at Oak Ridge Elementary School in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood. These kids were part of a running group called “Be Change” and they needed shoes. The group was started by a local man named Jason Harper who ran 100 miles to bring awareness to the needs of the kids at this school. The “Be Change” running group encouraged the kids to make healthy choices, promotes self-esteem, and character growth while increasing fitness.

Knowing that as a small family-owned business we would be challenged to donate all the shoes ourselves, we approached our wonderful customers and asked them to help. They were asked to donate $20 to buy one shoe or $40 to buy a pair. We encouraged our donors to donate in the name of their favorite runner or walker. The response was heartwarming. A task which we knew we could not do alone moved toward completion with the help of our generous customers and friends.

As of 12/1, all 60 pairs of shoes had been donated ! The last 12 pairs of shoes were donated by a group of 4th-6th grade girls of a “Girls on the Run” group at Mary Tsukamoto Elementary School in Sacramento. The girls raised over $500 in 2 weeks (!) by selling “friendship grams” (a pencil with a ribbon and a place to write a message. Pencils were purchased by students and teachers and delivered to the friend’s classroom) as well as holding an afternoon movie showing of “Kung Fu Panda” at the school. It was amazing to see what could be done by a dedicated group of young people with a goal in mind!!

On Feb. 4th, 2009, 54 pairs of running shoes were delivered to the Be Change runners at Oak Ridge Ele. in Sacramento. It was like Christmas morning only with shoes! Good Day Sacramento came out and did a live broadcast of the kids trying on their shoes and going through the paces of an obstacle course. (To view pictures of the event, go to http://ekshots.com/clients/bechange/ ). In the afternoon, the girls from the Girls on the Run program at Tsukamoto Ele. came to Oak Ridge to meet the kids they raised $500 to buy shoes for. They shared what they liked about running and what they did in their running club. The Be Change runners talked about what they liked and how their club worked. They had a lot in common.Then it was off to stretch and warm up. The kids were joined by the Chick Fil-a cow. All in all it was a very good day! Thank you to all who contributed to the purchase of the shoes. They were received with great excitement and thanks by the kids.

The Running Free Foundation is the beneficiary of The Running Zone’s 4-times/year $5 5K race series and also of the Aug. 2009 “Vine Crusher 10 Miler/2 Person Relay” held in Elk Grove. The Foundation continues to donate shoes to needy Sacramento County student athletes. If you are a coach, teacher or significant adult in a child’s life and that child needs running shoes, please call The Running Zone, 916-478-9663 and talk to Mimi.

The original email our customers and friends received asking for help donating shoes to Oak Ridge Elementary:

HOW YOU CAN HELP THE KIDS AT OAK RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-

60 Kids Need Your Help.

We are looking to purchase approximately 60 pairs of kids’ running shoes.The Running Zone is able to get the shoes at a cost of about $40 per pair.This means we need 60 people to donate $40 each or 120 people to donate $20 each (any donation accepted, however). With your help, I know this is an achievable goal.

Donate a shoe ($20) or a pair of shoes ($40) in honor of or in memory of your favorite runner.
Each donor who requests will receive a certificate with the name of your honored runner describing your donation of a shoe or a pair of shoes.
Think about what a great holiday gift this could be for that person in your life who loves to run. Giving back to the running community is something many runners pride themselves on doing.

The Nuts and Bolts of Donating-

As Easy as tying your shoes!

Donating a shoe or a pair of shoes for the kids at Oak Ridge Elementary School is easy.

Decide what you’d like to donate-a shoe, a pair of shoes, etc.
Write your check to SVRCC (Sacramento Valley Region Care Coalition- a non-profit organization with 501(c)3 status so you can write off your donation on your taxes)
If you’d like a certificate for an honored runner, include their name and the address to which you’d like the certificate mailed.
Drop off your donation at The Running Zone, 8470 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove OR
Mail your donation to The Running Zone, 8470 Elk Grove Blvd. #135, Elk Grove, Ca. 95758.
Check The Running Zone website for updates on how many pairs of shoes have been donated to date.
Any donations above and beyond the purchase of the 60 pairs of shoes for the kids at Oak Ridge will go into The Running Zone’s soon-to-be official (early 2009)non-profit “The RUNNING FREE Foundation.” Our goal- “to connect kids in need with the soles for running.”
Enjoy the warm feeling you get knowing you’ve helped kids achieve their goals- in running and in life!

We thank you in advance for your consideration of a donation to the young runners at Oak Ridge Elementary School.

Sincerely,

Mimi Veiga, co-owner, The Running Zone