Brooks Sending 200 Pairs Of Shoes, 90 Sports Bras To People Affected By Fires In Phoenix, Talent

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Brooks Running joined the relief effort for those suffering from lost homes and businesses due to wildfires in Southern Oregon. 

The sports apparel company has 200 pairs of running shoes and 90 sports bras on the way to fill a huge need in the wake of fires that burned down swaths of Phoenix and Talent, small cities located south of Medford along the Interstate 5 corridor.

"It means so much to us," said Amber Jacobson, President of Southern Oregon Runners, of the Brooks donation.  

Mike Blackmore, the cross country coach at Linfield University, took an initial load of shoes and running clothes to the area two weeks ago. Once again, he'll be the one loading boxes, this time from Brooks, and delivering them. 

Brooks got involved when its PR team learned that A Snail's Pace, a running store in Southern California, was partnering with Blackmore to send a donation. The company put together a donation from samples used for promotion that needed a home.

"We're very happy to hear that this gear will be put to good use!" Kiana van Waes of Brooks said. 

Already, Southern Oregon Runners has been collecting items from the local community with bins located around the area overflowing with shoes, socks, sports bras and more. 

"Since the pandemic, we altered how we work our whole non-profit," Jacobson said of her club. "First there was the challenge of how to help with mental health issues and then the fires hit. It was natural for us to pivot and ask 'How can we help our community?' This is not going to be a three-months-and-everything's-better operation. People are going to be hurting for a long time."

Blackmore will hand deliver the boxes to Jacobson, who will in turn work with the school Phoenix school district and prinicpals to distribute the items to people who need them. 

That donation, too, ammounts to a drop in the bucket. But it's adding up. 

Additionally, the Grants Pass Wal-Mart recently gave Jacobson's club $2,500 for socks, underwear and sports bras. 

"Teachers know what the kids need," Jacobson said. "And they're saying 'Don't hesitate.'"  

How To Donate: Consider monetary donations to the Fire Relief Fund via the Paypal account or in the form of gift cards. More info is available at the district webpage at www.phoenix.k12.or.us