BYU’s Gideon George Holding Shoe Drive At Upcoming Home Games
Dec 15, 2022, 8:36 AM | Updated: 8:38 am
BYU basketball forward Gideon George has a goal of 10,000 shoes donated for this week's drive. (Photos courtesy of Bahamas Visual Services)
(Photos courtesy of Bahamas Visual Services)
PROVO, Utah – BYU basketball starter Gideon George continues to give back to his home country of Nigeria.
George, who runs The George Helping Hands Foundation, is hosting another shoe drive for children in Nigeria. In collaboration with BYU’s Global Supply Chain Association, the BYU Black Student Union, and Timeout4Africa, a charitable shoe drive event will take place at the next two BYU basketball home games.
#BYU basketball forward Gideon George is holding a shoe drive before the Western Oregon and Utah games.
The goal is to get 10,000 donated sneakers to give back to the children of Nigeria.#BYUHoops @kslsports https://t.co/bkHee0gzgI pic.twitter.com/cmkZTy4oSi
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 15, 2022
Last year, George held a shoe drive before the San Diego State game and during a football game. BYU fans ended up providing over 6,000 shoes in the drive. Those shoes were then donated and packed for children in Nigeria.
George has been giving back to his home country since he moved to America to pursue his basketball career. He donated shoes to those in need when he was a player at New Mexico Junior College.
With George being a senior, this is the last shoe drive that will be held during his BYU basketball career.
Gideon George shoe drive before Western Oregon & Utah games
The next shoe drive will take place during tonight’s home game against Western Oregon (7 p.m. tip) and will continue on Saturday before the rivalry matchup with Utah (4 p.m.).
Fans are encouraged to donate lightly used sneaks in all shoes. All donated shoes will be accepted. George and his foundation are specifically seeking sports shoes.
Where to donate
There will be volunteers at the four corner entrances of the Marriott Center for 1.5 hours before the games until 30 minutes after tip-off for fans to donate shoes.
This became an important cause for George because many African children do not have sneakers. Without shoes, those kids are not able to play sports.
Bare feet are one of the leading causes of disease in Africa. So receiving a pair of shoes is a massive cause for celebration for many African children.
10,000 pairs of shoes
This year’s shoe drive goal is to reach 10,000 pairs of shoes.
“That’s the goal, I hope so. If we get to 10,000, we will change 10,000 lives in Nigeria. So that’s a good thing,” said Gideon George. “Last year, Cougar Nation showed out really big. So this year, why not go massive? … I want to thank everyone that donated last year and is going to donate this year. I’m really grateful for that.”
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch and his BYU basketball coverage on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
