By Jim Gehman, Player Engagement Insider
On what will surely be one of the biggest days of their lives, Coty Sensabaugh and Dominique Jordan will be helping people they’ve never met in the Dominican Republic.
Sensabaugh, a cornerback who was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Clemson, and recently signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Los Angeles Rams, and his fiancé are getting married on May 28, 2016.
In lieu of traditional wedding presents, they’ve asked their guests and others to donate shoes or money to Soles4Souls, a non-profit organization whose primary objective is to provide shoes to those in need. Over the past 10 years, the organization has collected 26 million pairs of shoes and distributed them in 127 countries around the world and all 50 states in the U.S.
“We wanted to do a little something different and we both are extremely giving and believe in blessing others,” Sensabaugh said. “Dom actually did a mission trip to the Dominican Republic when we were (at Clemson) and she thoroughly enjoyed it. She had been doing some research and found Soles4Souls. We decided to partner with them and they’ve been great.
“So far, through our church, Mt. Zion, in Nashville, we have raised over 11,000 shoes. Our goal is to raise 25,000. I absolutely think (we can reach the goal). Our community has been very giving. Just people hearing about it and spreading the word has helped a lot.”
Sensabaugh says that from day one, Soles4Souls has also helped a lot.
“I don’t know how many athletes or just people in general they have partnered with, but they were extremely excited,” Sensabaugh said. Hopefully, depending on how this one goes, we can continue doing this in the future. They’ve been great to work with.
“There’s no surprise that they’ve been going so strong for as long as they have. They’re a great organization to work with. Very professional. They’re just everything from top to bottom. They’re solid. “
In what is being called #SensabaughMissionMoon, Sensabaugh and his bride will make a five-day trip to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic on June 23 with 10 to 14 of their close family and friends. The group will distribute the shoes they’ve collected to adults, and children in orphanages in Puerto Plata and surrounding areas.
Having just experienced NFL free agency for the first time and with his wedding and the mission trip in the near future, Sensabaugh’s plate is full and he couldn’t be happier about it.
“I would say the best thing about life right now is having a great supporting cast – my fiancé, my parents, my family members, my loved ones,” Sensabaugh said. “God has blessed me and my family so much that we just feel it’s our natural duty to give back and bless others. We have very giving hearts and we just enjoy seeing other people smile. And if giving them shoes can bring that smile and difference to their day, we’re happy to be that.”
Anyone who wishes to donate new or used shoes or money to the mission can get information by visiting www.sensabaughmissionmoon.org.