Giving kids a solid shoe to stand on

Twenty-four-year-old Buddy Green has been an avid athlete for the better part of his life, making his way to provincial, national and international levels of competition in cross-country running, swimming and triathlon.

To make that journey without proper running shoes would have been unthinkable, and most likely impossible. But for many kids, that is the sad reality.

“The need for kids to be active and be able to participate in physical activity is more important than ever in our society today,” Green, a professional triathlete and personal trainer at the YMCA, said. “There are many road blocks that prevent kids from participating in physical activity... having safe, comfortable shoes should not be one of them.”

To help combat this problem, Green is launching the Strong Kids Shoe Campaign, with the goal of collecting new shoes for underprivileged kids from junior kindergarten to Grade 12 in the Greater Sudbury area.

Green is running the shoe drive in partnership with the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, a national program focused on raising much needed financial support for children, teens and families who are unable to afford the full cost of participation in a YMCA program or activity.

“The number of families living below the poverty rate in Sudbury, in my mind, is too high,” Green said. “All those families have to struggle just to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. Proper footwear is something that is forgotten.

“My goal is to ensure that all kids, particularly those from low-income families, have access to athletics by providing them with good, quality running shoes,” he added.

After being involved in the city’s annual Skate Exchange, where residents are invited to donate skates or pick up a free pair throughout the winter months, Green said he was inspired to find a way to carry a similar program through the summer.

“I’m just trying to make a difference in a few children’s lives each month,” he said. “And (I’m trying to give) kids who don’t have access to proper footwear that chance.”

Starting in January, on the last Wednesday of every month, Green said he hopes to deliver shoes to at least 10 kids. He will also encourage the kids to remain active by training for and participating in the YMCA Run for Strong Kids on Aug. 27, 2011.

“Proper footwear helps kids with things such as self-esteem to proper development of those muscles and bones,” Green said. “If it gets a few kids active or only helps a little with their self-esteem and how they feel about themselves at school, then I feel I will be making a huge difference.”

As part of the campaign, Green will host events over the next few months to help raise money or footwear.

The first event, the Y Tri Sprint Challenge — an indoor triathlon — is set for Friday (Dec. 10) at the YMCA, at 7 p.m. The event will include an 800-metre swim, a 25-kilometre bike ride and a five-kilometre run. The cost to participate is $20 or a new pair of running shoes. Those interested are asked to register in advance.

Those interested in making a donation to the campaign, either shoes or funds, can phone Green at 705-673-9136 ext. 2129, e-mail [email protected] or stop by the YMCA at 140 Durham St. Application forms are also available at the YMCA’s front desk.