Public Information - Press Release: Freeholders applaud ‘Wrestle in my Shoes’ founder

For Immediate Release:

June 12, 2015

Freeholders applaud
‘Wrestle in my Shoes’ founder

Twelve year old from Freehold receives certificate of recognition

FREEHOLD, NJ – On June 11, the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders applauded Joseph “Joey” Butler of Freehold for founding the non-profit organization “Wrestle in my Shoes.” The Monmouth County Boarder of Chosen Freeholders applauded Joseph “Joey” Butler, 12, of Freehold for founding the non-profit organization “Wrestle in my Shoes” at their regular public meeting on June 11 in Freehold, NJ. Pictured left to right: Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone, Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, Jake Butler, Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso, Joey Butler and Freeholder John P. Curley.

The Monmouth County Boarder of Chosen Freeholders applauded Joseph “Joey” Butler, 12, of Freehold for founding the non-profit organization “Wrestle in my Shoes” at their regular public meeting on June 11 in Freehold, NJ. Pictured left to right: Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone, Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, Jake Butler, Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso, Joey Butler and Freeholder John P. Curley.

“At the age of 10, this young man decided to make a difference in the world,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso. “Joey wanted to make sure that no child was ever denied the ability to wrestle due to financial constraints or lack of adequate equipment.”

Joey, an elementary school wrestler, was at a national-level tournament in spring of 2013 when he noticed wrestlers sharing wrestling shoes. When he found out that they were sharing shoes because they could not afford their own, he wanted to help.

“I started my charity when I saw a bunch of children trading off shoes to each other at a tournament,” said Joey Butler during the spirited presentation. “I asked my father why are they sharing shoes and he said it was because they couldn’t afford them. That’s when I thought; why not find a way to give shoes to other children?”

With the help of his parents and generous donations, he formed Wrestle in my Shoes.

Wrestle in my Shoes collects gently-used wrestling equipment and ships it to disadvantaged youth all across the country, and the world.

“Joey is an inspiration to us all and a great example of how one person can make a big difference in the world,” said Freeholder Director Gary J. Rich, Sr. “To date, this outstanding organization has donated more than $100,000 worth of wrestling equipment, including more than 1,300 pairs of wrestling shoes, all over the globe, from New York to California to Spain.”

The Wrestle in my Shoes team consists of Joey Butler, 12, who serves as Chief Executive Officer, his brother Jake, 9, who serves as the Vice President of Social Media and his parents Joseph and Alyson, who serve as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Finance Officer, respectively.

For more information about Wrestle in my Shoes go to www.wrestleinmyshoes.com.

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