Share Our Soles

"There is great joy in doing something for somebody else." -- John Wooden

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About Us

Mission Statement:

“Share Our Soles” (S.O.S.) is dedicated to collecting, and then washing and donating used (but in good condition) running shoes to underprivileged youth in distant nations and local inner-city communities. (S.O.S. also raises funds and accepts donations which are used to buy new running shoes and socks.) By providing these children -- many of whom have never before owned a pair of shoes -- with running shoes, S.O.S. aims to encourage a love for running and in turn spread its many benefits, from positive self-esteem and increased confidence to improved health and new friendships. Together, we can make a world of difference to deserving youth from Los Angeles to Mexico to as far away as Africa by giving them a chance to lace ’em up and encouraging them to take a step forward -- and never stop running.


Administration:




















Greg Woodburn
Founder and President, Share Our Soles

Greg Woodburn is a sophomore at the University of Southern California, where he is majoring in History and double-minoring in Painting and Entrepreneurship. He is a member of the USC Track & Field team as well as the Men of Troy cross country club. Greg's involvement with Share Our Soles has been detailed in People Magazine, Reader's Digest, USC College Magazine, and the Daily Trojan newspaper.

Greg is also a recipient of two prestigious public service awards: the 2007 Jefferson Award for volunteer work and public service; and the Congressional Award Gold Medal (for public service, self-improvement, physical fitness, and exploration) requiring in total a minimum of 800 hours commitment, as noted by the Ventura County Star.

Email: Greg@ShareOurSoles.org









Dallas Woodburn
Vice President, Share Our Soles

Dallas Woodburn is a published author and entreprenuer. She graduated from the University of Southern California in 2009 with a major in Creative Writing and a minor in Entrepreneurship. Dallas has written two short story collections and numerous articles in publications including Family Circle, Writer's Digest, Cicada, Justine, The Los Angeles Times, and six Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She has been honored as a Liberty Mutual Responsible Scholar, a Jim Murray Memorial Foundation Scholar for excellence in journalism, and was recently a national finalist for both the Marshall and Mitchell Fellowships.

Dallas has been proudly involved with Share Our Soles since 2006. She is also the founder of "Write On! For Literacy," a non-profit organization that hosts writing contests, publishes the work of young writers, and holds a Holiday Book Drive that has collected and donated 11,117 new books to underprivileged kids the past eight years. For more information, please visit WriteOnBooks.org and http://dallaswoodburn.blogspot.com
.

Email: Dallaswoodburn@aol.com




Jen Nguyen
Chapter President, Share Our Soles Holy Cross

Jen Nguyen is a junior at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. There, she is an Economics and English double-major. She is a member of the Delilahs, Holy Cross's oldest a cappella group, and volunteers at a wet soup kitchen at the People in Peril Shelter in Worcester. In her spare time, she enjoys acting, reading, and occasionally playing the guitar.

Jen has been involved with S.O.S. since the beginning of 2009 and hopes to raise a greater awareness among college students of the growing need for shoes in impoverished countries.

Email: Jen@ShareOurSoles.org










David Branch
Chapter Officer, Share Our Soles USC

David Branch is a junior at the University of Southern California, where he is majoring in Policy, Planning, and Development. He is a member of the USC Track & Field team, Men of Troy cross country club, and Alpha Gamma Omega fraternity.

David has been an officer for S.O.S. since the beginning of 2009, and is helping to raise awareness of and support for Share Our Soles within the "Trojan Family" of USC students, faculty, and alumni.

Email: David@ShareOurSoles.org










Hans Lauzen
Chapter Officer, Share Our Soles USC

Hans Lauzen is a junior Business major at the University of Southern California and proud member of the USC Naval ROTC. Hans is the third-ranked athlete under 21 in the United States National Pentathlon, and hopes to qualify for the 2012 Olympics. He also competes for the USC Track & Field team and Men of Troy cross country club.

Hans has been involved with Share Our Soles since January 2009. He is working with
the USC Navy, Army, and Air Force ROTC programs -- as well as local high schools and universities -- to foster involvement in S.O.S. among students in the Los Angeles area.

Email: lauzen@usc.edu