A group of 12 student athletes from a variety of sports and advisors from the Ohio State University traveled to Costa Rica earlier this month in support of Soles4Souls, a nonprofit that fights poverty in disadvantaged areas. The organization provides shoes and clothing to people in need and works to create jobs in impoverished areas.
The group spent three days of their trip handing out thousands of shoes to schoolchildren and adults alike. In some cases, the donated shoes were the only ones the villagers had.
"I truly believe the kids here are bringing out the best in all of us," said linebacker Joshua Perry, one of the student athletes on the trip.