LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) — More than 43 pairs of shoes were handed out at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lynchburg Wednesday night.
Liberty University junior Bryce Swinehart is an NIL athlete, meaning he can make money from his name, image and likeness. He puts that money into local kids.
“Samaritan’s Feet provides the shoes,” he said. “I spent the past couple months fundraising in order to partner with the Boys and Girls Club to do a shoes distribution like this.”
Desmond Mosby, Club Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lynchburg, says everyone needs a pair of shoes, but the real impact is the time the kids get to spend with the athletes.
“The biggest component is that relationship piece, they come in here, sit down with the young people, they match the shoes, but in addition to that they talk to each one of the young people that come to them. They share in their goals and their dreams and now they’re taking part in all this physical activity behind us.”
Several Liberty athletes, like Katie Sigerud, came out to play basketball and hang out with the kids.
“I’m on the track and cross-country team so I’m able to run with the kids and do what I do as a sport but then also leave an impact on these kids,” she said.