Hey cross-country coaches!
My name is Emma Woolhouse, and I am a student/runner at Tupelo Christian Preparatory School. With the help of my cross-country team and yours, I would like to start an program to help needy schools in our state. Many student athletes in Mississippi can’t afford proper running shoes or spikes to train for cross-country or just to have healthy lifestyle. Every student deserves to be able to compete at their very best, but without good shoes, their chances are limited. Together, we could change that.
Here’s what I am asking you to do. Coaches, please ask your athletes to bring any new or slightly used running shoes (this includes racing spikes as well as regular training shoes) to the cross-country state meet on November 9. No special packaging, just the shoes. We will provide a drop-off station near the awards stage. We will clean up the shoes and distribute them to schools who can really use them. No shoes will be thrown away- all can find a needy home somewhere!
With luck, this will become an annual event. We also hope to be able to collect shoes at the state track meet as well. If we all pitch in, we can better prepare our current teams and provide a foundation for those not currently able to do so. Please help us reach our goal and make a difference in the lives of many kids. Dig through your closets and don’t throw out those too-small spikes! See you at state and good luck to everyone.
Thanks so much for your help.
Emma Woolhouse