Triathletes for Hope

Thank you!

The Figurehead — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:09:37 +0000

Gang,

I’ve been continually thinking, praying, and seeking guidance on this subject for several months now. For a number of reasons I think it’s best if we put our shoe collections and general operations on an indefinite hiatus. That includes this season. It’s possible that we might pick up the program again in 2009, but we’re just not sure yet.

Soles 4 Souls is doing an outstanding job of continuing our mission. I delivered our final batch of shoes – over 300 – to them this weekend.

While I’m sad to say that we won’t be collecting shoes this year, we can all take solace in the fact that we did put nearly 3500 pair of shoes on the feet of people around the world in 2007 and early 2008.

Thank all of you for your help over the last year with this vision – we simply could not have done it without your kind support. I do believe it was a God appointed mission for us to carry out last year. I also believe that God guides us when it’s time to rest and be at peace.

Smiles from Kenya

The Figurehead — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:49:42 +0000

These are pics from a recent mission trip to Kenya. Our friends distributed kids crocs and adult running shoes. Those smiles are what it’s all about.

2007 in review

The Figurehead — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 20:05:53 +0000

Triathletes for Hope was started in July of 2007 as “Triathletes for Africa”. Our first collection was the Team Magic hosted event The Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon.

We quickly realized that our mission was much broader than just Africa. While we still give priority to shipments of shoes to Africa we also seek opportunities to bless people elsewhere.

We have collected well over 2000 pair of gently used running shoes, CROCS, and children’s shoes in 2007. All of those shoes have now been distributed. Shoes have gone to Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Sudan, Peru, northern Canadian provinces, and various homeless programs.

Thank you to everyone who donated shoes or helped us out in 2007. Very special thanks to Faye and Therese at Team Magic. Without the two of you this charity wouldn’t have gotten off the ground. Thank you to Jeff Wells at Fleet Feet Nashville and Mark Evans at Acme Multisport for you continued commitment to helping us collect shoes throughout the year. Thank you Laci Coppins and the kids of Hunters Bend elementary school who collected 700 of childrens shoes for us.

Hold onto those gently used running shoes. We’ll see you again in 2008!

Thank you from shoe recipients

The Figurehead — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 14:49:32 +0000

I love my new shoes. Thank you! – Yonatan Araya, Eritrea

Thank you for the shoes!

- Abdi Moti, Ethiopia

Thank you very, very much for sending to me these shoes!

– Burqa Moti, Ethiopia

Thank you guys so much for the shoes. May God bless you.

-Alhaji Sasay, Sierra Leone

Hunters Bend Elementary collects 750 pair of shoes

The Figurehead — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:02:57 +0000

I just got off the phone with principal Laci Coppins. The kids at Hunters Bend Elementary School (“The Hound Dogs”) collected 750 pair of shoes for us this week. Thank you Principal Coppins and kids!

That brings our total since July to 1500 pair of shoes collected.

Old Hickory Lake Triathlon: Up to 800 pair total

The Figurehead — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:17:02 +0000

We had another great weekend at my hometown race – The Old Hickory Lake Triathlon. Team Magic enjoyed yet another sold out race. Combined with a delivery of shoes from Atlanta we had over 200 pair delivered to the tent on Saturday.

We’ve already packed 100 pair of those for a shipment to Jamaica in early October.

Shoes loaded for Peru

The Figurehead — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:38:12 +0000

Friends,

Last night I loaded nearly 500 pair of your running shoes onto a 40×8 foot container that will depart for the Peru earthquake victims on Sunday from Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood. The shoes will go to people who had little to nothing even before the disaster. The ladies who were working at the trailer, familiar with the part of Peru, said that these will be the first “nice” shoes most of these people have ever had. They were giddy just imagining the looks on the people’s faces. There’s a lot of rebuilding to be done and proper footwear will make the task a bit less uncomfortable.

Fellowship raised an impressive sum of money that was spent on tents and blankets for the people. The trailers arrival will be huge for these poor people whose meager possessions are now completely gone.

Congratulations everyone on making a difference in the world.

ps. Weird story: when I got in the truck to drive home after loading the shoes onto the container I turned on the radio. The song that was playing on Lightning 100 was “Hope in a Hopeless World” by Widespread Panic. Coincidence? Nah. I’m not too tough to admit shedding a tear while thanking God.

–

Chad Nikazy

Founder / Director

Triathletes For Africa / Triathletes for Hope

Mtn. Lakes a success!

The Figurehead — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 20:22:34 +0000

Triathletes for Africa / Triathletes for Hope collected over 100 pair of shoes at the 20th annual Mtn. Lakes Triathlon. Thanks to Team TFA/TFH members Chad and Karen Nikazy and Michael and Deb Moebes for working the drop off table.

Our current total collected since mid July is 350 pair. Shoes will go soon to earthquake victims in Peru and to Living Hope Centre in Capetown South Africa.

Triathletes for Hope

The Figurehead — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 13:22:08 +0000

Triathletes for Hope is the sister organization of Triathletes for Africa. While TFA focuses it’s education and charity solely on helping African peoples, Triathletes for Hope focuses on those in need of charitable gifts and support domestically in the United States and elsewhere in the world.

Triathletes for Hope will assist in domestic and global disaster relief, giving to depressed economic regions in the US and elsewhere, and in charitable partnerships for the poor, the old, the lonely, and the fatherless.