Sole Sports Running Zone

A green business that gives back

BY MARIA LOPEZ, LOCAL FIRST ARIZONA

YYou can go the extra mile with Sole Sports, a locally owned specialty running and walking shoe store that, on top of great products and services, has a dedicated volunteer base called its Dig Deeper Volunteers that you can be part of to make Arizona greener, kinder, and a place we’re proud to call home.

Another cool initiative at all three Valley Sole Sports Running Zone locations (Scottsdale, Arcadia, Tempe): Old shoes that you don't use any more can be donated there. Each donation will then make it to a local homeless shelter or nonprofit that is in need. On top of that, when you bring in your old shoes, the company will credit you $5 per pair (up to a maximum of $10) towards your next pair. "Give us your tired, your worn, your broken-down old sneakers yearning to run free again," it proudly states on the company's website. This Local First Arizona Certified Arizona Green Business is a true testament to what community and green conscious living can do. Meet more certified green businesses creating lasting change by visiting www.greenbiztracker.org. HOW 'DIG DEEPER' VOLUNTEERS GIVE BACK Runners began the Sole Sports-backed community volunteer group in 2013. What began with an annual Thanksgiving Food Drive for St. Vincent de Paul, a nonprofit charity organization, has grown into a powerful force for good. It was the brainchild of longtime group runner Kim Lambert, and since then, they have made significant contributions across the Valley monthly. SOME EXAMPLES OF DIG DEEPER INITIATIVES: Maricopa County Animal Care & Control—Group collects donations and supplies for the animals at the shelter, delivers the goods, and then walks the dogs. Girls on the Run 5K—Dig Deeper helps inspire and empower young girls by being their running buddies and volunteers. Want to dig deeper and get involved? Join the Dig Deeper Facebook group. HOW SOLE SPORTS GOES GREEN The company: • Gives customers a credit when they bring in used shoes that they then donate to various local charities; • Donates shoe boxes to local groups to reuse; • Recycles all acceptable materials, including electronic waste; • Reuses all packing materials; • Hosts a water refill station in the shop instead of plastic water bottles; • Installed dual-flush toilets to reduce water use and had a water audit done to improve water conservation; • And conserves energy by switching to LED light bulbs and exit signs. Sole Sports employs a video gait analysis system which allows them to closely analyze your foot strike and determine how much support you need in a shoe. Check them out at one of their locations and visit www.solesportsrunning.com to learn more.