Emma Goldean, field hockey player for The Ohio State University, is using her platform for good. By using her name, image, and likeness (NIL), she’s raised funds and support to serve and better the community in which she plays.
College Athlete Uses NIL for Good on MLK Holiday
Samaritan’s Feet Senior Program Manager Deborah Cox-Roush summed up the day pretty perfectly.
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, 1,000 individuals received new shoes at a special shoe distribution in Columbus, OH hosted and funded by Emma Goldean, a field hockey player for The Ohio State University.
Goldean has partnered with Samaritan’s Feet to use her “name, image, and likeness” as an NCAA athlete to raise funds to serve the community which has supported her during her athletic endeavors.
The event was lively—there was a DJ creating a fun atmosphere, an opportunity for people to write down and share their dreams, and lots of smiles and cheers for everyone who walked through the doors.
“You can see when [the recipients] come in and we’re cheering them on, that they’re so happy and they’ve got the smiles on their faces. They’re just happy to be here and happy to receive a pair of shoes,” said Goldean.
AmeriCorps, another partner of Samaritan’s Feet, has designated the MLK holiday as a National Day of Service to “encourage all Americans to volunteer and improve their community.” At this event, over 150 volunteers came to serve the pre-schoolers, children, adults, and seniors.
Volunteers spent time with each recipient, sizing the best-fitting pair of shoes and also encouraging them. Volunteers could be heard saying things like “the way the shoes are presented truly gives hope” and “this has been a humbling and great experience.”
Samaritan’s Feet thanks Emma Goldean, her teammates, the community of Columbus, and AmeriCorps for inspiring others to do good on a great day.
See the Action
Check out this video to hear from Emma and other volunteers about this exciting MLK Day event.
