Terps Raise Funds For Samaritan's Feet
2/11/2013 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 11, 2013
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland participated in a Samaritan's Feet Initiative during Sunday's home game vs. Virginia to celebrate 75 years of March Madness.
Along with the NCAA and the National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), schools nationwide are coming together to raise funds for 75,000 pairs of shoes.
Samaritan's Feet was established in 2003 by Emmanuel (Manny) Ohonme, who was inspired to create the organization after receiving his first pair of shoes from a "Good Samaritan." Samaritan Feet hopes to give 10 million pairs of shoes to 10 million people in 10 years. Since 2003, Samaritan's Feet has given out four million pairs of shoes in 60 countries.
During the game, Janessa Pope and Lindsey Puckett, both field hockey players on the SAAC, helped collect money and talked about the cause.
"Since the NCAA is celebrating 75 years of March Madness, they brought this initiative to the ACC and the SAAC," said Pope. "We got involved because it's a great cause and we wanted to help provide shoes for those less fortunate."
Maryland student-athletes from all sports have helped out to raise awareness and raise money for the Initiative. Student-athletes in attendance celebrated a Barefoot Game, where instead of wearing shoes they painted their feet in Maryland colors to draw attention to the cause.
In addition to the donations at the basketball game, every team has raised money to give to the initiative. There is also a link online to make donations, which will be active until the end of March Madness. Maryland's goal is to raise $2,200 by the end of the NCAA tournament.
