Reach around the Globe Mission
The Lesedi Project
Established in 1984, Ethembeni School serves 300 physically disabled and visually impaired children from all over Kwazulu-Natal, Kingdom of the Zulu (South Africa), educating them to reach their highest potential and to become independent and responsible citizens of the community. Through Fleet Feet Sports and Balega’s support of the Ethembeni School, a scholarship fund has been set up to provide money for the education of the children of Ethembeni. Each year, Balega International will donate a percentage of the gross revenue generated from the sales of their socks through Fleet Feet Sports stores to the scholarship fund.
Balega and Fleet Feet Sports have a mission together
Balega International known as the manufacturer of those fantastic, #1 selling soft and seamless socks. The work that Balega does for the less privileged throughout the world, however, often flies under the radar..
Home is where the heart is
The folks at Balega feel strongly attached to the communities in South Africa where their socks are made. The Lesedi Project came about as a response to give back to these communities. Funds raised through the not-for-profit Lesedi Project go directly to the Ethembeni School in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Ethembeni, which means “place of hope,” is home to nearly 300 disabled and disadvantaged children. Private donations help fund the Lesedi Project, as well as sales of a music CD and beaded necklaces and bracelets. This jewelry is all handcrafted by the students of Ethembeni, who are taught this traditional Zulu craft.
For the past three years, Fleet Feet Orlando has partnered with Balega to sell the bracelets and Miraculous Feet cd's in our store, with all proceeds going directly to the Ethembeni School. With your help, Fleet Feet Sports’ nation-wide efforts have raised enough money to purchase a handicapped-accessible school bus, but our work continues.
In 2009 Fleet Feet Sports and Balega teamed up again in a new initiative that will continue to help the Ethembeni School, as well as our local communities. This latest project, Pennies for Accessible Playgrounds, will raise funds to build a therapeutic accessible play area for the children of Ethembeni, as well as a Boundless Playground in our own backyard in Altamonte Springs. Fleet Feet Raised and donated over $1,000 from sock sales and with the Altamonte Sports Programs created a new event called the NO BOUDARIES 5K. This will be an annual event to raise funds for this local project. We will continue to offer the beautiful jewelry but when you shop at Fleet Feet Sports you will now also see a beaded collection container, made by the students, on our front counter. We are asking you to help by donating any spare change while in our store. Eighty percent of the money we collect will remain in our own community, with the remaining 20% going to our friends in South Africa.
Your continued support of our efforts will allow us to continue to give back to those in need of help. Thank you so much for all you do.
The Balega / Fleet Feet Difference
Balega is a proud America-South African initiative. Their focus is on providing top of the line performance socks to the specailty running market. Balega prides itself on the fact that all of their products are race developed and tested at their South African production facility. Their development team is made up of genuine athletes who regularly compete in monumental events such as the Comrades Marathon.
All of Balega's running socks incorporate a hand linked seamless toe, eliminating abrasion across teh top of the foot. They also knit an extra deep heel pocket (called the "Fit Well") ensuring that their socks fit the foot perfectly and won't slide down during your run.
Balega is also one of the most philanthropic companies we've ever had the pleasure of working with. They have started a non-profit called The Lesedi Project to help contribute funds to the Ethembeni School, as bording school in rural South Africa for physically disabled and visually impared children. A portion of the money you spend on every Balega sock purchased in a Fleet Feet store will go towards this wonderful school.
On Wednesday August 25th at 7:15PM the Lesedi Project Pub Run will take place in Wekiva. This is a Fun Run sponsored by Balega to raise awareness about the Ethembeni school and Lesedi Project. Fleet Feet Orlando has helped raise over $5,000 for the Lesedi Project over the past 3 years and our goal this year for the pub run is $1,000. This is a fun run and the first 50 to RSVP and attend receive a FREE logoed pint glass which we will fill with a cold beverage at the end.We will meet in the parking lot at the corner of Wekiva Springs Road and Hunt Club Blvd in the Publix shopping center. We ask all participants to bring a $10 donation. The first 50 people to RSVP and bring a donation to the run will receive a FREE pint class (provided by Balega) and we will fill it.We will meet in the parking lot at the corner of Wekiva Springs Road and Hunt Club Blvd in the Publix shopping center. The finish will be at
Christopher’s pizza where we will enjoy some food and bevarages at the end of the run. This is roughly a 5 mile run and there is also an opportunity to enjoy a 3 mile for those of you who wish to do so. You must RSVP to attend this run!
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