For want of a shoe a wrestler was lost

[GG121AND2]

Have you ever seen a middle school wrestler walk off the mat, take his shoes off and hand them to the next youngster so that the meet can continue? Believe me, it happens - all too frequently. In March and April many of you participated in CowboyUp's "pledge per win" fundraiser and thanks to you we we were able to buy over 70 pairs of shoes. I can't thank you enough.

Six weeks ago I posted about our middle school shoe assistance program on our Facebook page and the post went viral. It was shared 354 times, viewed by 60,000 people and generated requests for help from over 70 coaches around the country. We have blown through your 70 pairs - and then some. I've been fulfilling requests for two weeks and still have a long way to go.

I've been purchasing shoes frugally, taking advantage of store closings, sales and closeouts. So far I've been paying an average of $35 a pair for shoes well worth more than that. That being said, it's obvious that I am going to need more support. Can you help again?A gift of $105 puts shoes on 3 kids' feet - $350 takes care of many teams' needs. If you can help us advance our mission of getting and keeping more kids on the mat you can donate at www.wrestlingforlife.org.

Thank you, friends.

Jim Brown

Founder/Board President
Wrestling for Life

 

[Ban Basketball]

Not sure if you've heard of her or not, but there's this woman in the Philippines named Imelda that I'm guessing would love to help.

 

[GG121AND2]

Ban, thanks for trivializing the contributions made by our friends on BWI.

They should get more thanks. I get the notes that they should get. This email came a few minutes ago.

Jim,
Thank you! The shoes that you sent just arrived. I can assure you that these will be well used for underprivileged youth. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your organization’s generosity and the work that you do.
Best regards,
Dan Capps
Head Wrestling Coach
Richmond

 

[Ban Basketball]

Ban, thanks for trivializing the contributions made by our friends on BWI.

Sorry that you incorrectly took it that way.

I trivialized nothing nor any individual. In my true spirit, I made a goofball joke, merely designed to amuse myself.

 

[Dogwelder]

Imelda’s wrestling shoes don’t look functional. Most of them have heels that may get stuck in the mat.

Let’s all chip in and give the kids something more traditional! Don’t let Imelda’s wrestling shoes be the kids’ only option!

[Ban, I explained the genius behind your post, since you were too modest and subtle to explain. ]

 

[Ban Basketball]

Imelda’s wrestling shoes don’t look functional. Most of them have heels that may get stuck in the mat.

Let’s all chip in and give the kids something more traditional! Don’t let Imelda’s wrestling shoes be the kids’ only option!

[Ban, I explained the genius behind your post, since you were too modest and subtle to explain. ]

Thanks, and I'm glad to see that I'm FINALLY recognized on message boards for my modesty!