Bison life: Making a difference in the world

Imagine running 26 miles with no shoes or socks to comfort you. It is a crazy idea right? Four members of Delta Tau Delta have decided to turn that idea into a reality.

In an effort to raise money and awareness for children around the world who do not have shoes, Jonathon Scislow, a senior majoring in electrical engineering proposed the idea of running the Fargo Marathon Relay barefoot the weekend of May 17 -19.

Scislow attended a presentation that asked him, “How can you change and make an impact on the world?” After pondering thoughts about that question for some time, he came up with the courageous idea.

Three other Delta Tau Delta members are uniting with Scislow to join him in running the Fargo Marathon Relay barefoot. Mike Zastoupil, a senior majoring in sociology; Zack Ficenec, a freshman majoring in communications and Robbie Lauf, a freshman majoring in political science, are all going to be a part of the cause.

Lots of preparation for the marathon has happened over the past couple of weeks. Each of the four barefoot runners have been walking around campus barefoot for the past week and a half, and going on runs barefoot.

None of them are opposed to running the marathon relay barefoot. In fact, they all see it as a way to make a difference.

“Our goal is to raise awareness to the issue that children around the world are going without shoes every day. We want to make a difference in other lives through this,” both Scislow and Zastoupil mentioned.

The four barefoot runners also want to inspire other people on campus through there efforts, and feel that it will definitely help their image as a fraternity on campus. The group also feels that 'Barefoot for Bare Feet' will positively reflect what Greek Life is about as a whole.

“We're all trying to improve the world around us together; that's what philanthropy is about,” Zastoupil said.

The members have already raised $600 for the Samaritan’s Feet Charity. All donations will go to the charity. For every $10 donation, Samaritan’s Feet can put a pair of shoes on a child’s feet anywhere in the world.

Scislow is grateful that so many people are donating for this cause. “It is inspiring on how quickly you can take action and organize people together,” he said. The group hopes to raise a lot more money, but is thankful that the money already raised can put 60 pairs of shoes on children in need.

The group would also like people to consider buying a pair of Tom’s shoes. If you buy a pair Tom’s shoes they’ll donate a pair to someone in need of shoes around the world.

Scislow, Zastoupil, Ficenec and Lauf are putting themselves into somebody else’s shoes by running the Fargo Marathon Relay barefoot. It’s an ironic statement when you think about it, because those people whose shoes they are stepping into do not have shoes at all. Through their efforts they will help erase that phenomenon by raising enough money to put shoes on a great number of children.

It is now your time to join their cause by donating to help them achieve their goals. Stop by their booth in the Memorial Union to donate, or log onto http://www.tinyurl.com/barefootndsu.