Malvern resident Deborah Hausladen is providing troops with necessary footwear with her nonprofit Sneakers for Soldiers, write Enjoli Francis and Susan Schwartz for ABC News.
The nonprofit sends sneakers and athletic shoes to U.S. service members actively deployed in designated combat zones. Over its eight years of operation, the organization has donated more than 17,000 pairs of sneakers to support soldiers around the world.
The idea for Sneakers for Soldiers began with a phone call from Hausladen’s son while he was deployed in Afghanistan. He was asking for new sneakers, with his old pair having worn out, and shared that many other men in his platoon had the same problem.
According to the nonprofit’s site, the U.S. military does not provide troops with sneakers. Given harsh terrain and the stress of daily exercise, proper footwear is vital.
Since its founding in 2018, Hausladen’s organization has provided this overlooked need for thousands of soldiers. The nonprofit partners with local shoe stores and organizations, including Bryn Mawr Running Company, to provide the sneakers.
Recipients have expressed gratitude towards the nonprofit for meeting this basic need.
But Sneakers for Soldiers’ impact goes beyond just the practicality of new shoes. Describing the donation’s significance, one soldier said, “It reminds me that we are not forgotten.”
Read more about Sneakers for Soldiers and the nonprofit’s years of service in ABC News.
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