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Family receiving donations at the Soles4Souls x Elliot Tebele Shoe Event in Richmond, NY

The Riverfund Shoe Event and Partnering with Elliot Tebele

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On March 16, 2023, entrepreneur and digital media expert Elliot Tebele partnered with Soles4Souls to sponsor a shoe event at the River Fund Food Distribution Center in Richmond Hill, NY. Elliot’s donation of over $10,000 meant that 250 children were able to receive at least one pair of shoes, one pair of socks, and a family-friendly game from his company What Do You Meme?. Over 75 children attended the event and an additional 175 children will be able to pick up items as needed.

Having grown up in New York City, Elliot knows firsthand how much need there is in the area and how much even one act of kindness can impact an entire community.

For families who are operating under the poverty line, meeting basic needs can be a challenge. Providing supplies like new apparel and shoes helps alleviate some of the pressure weighing on these families and frees up some of their financial resources, which can then be used towards other needs. Here’s what a few of our recipients had to share on the day of the event.

 

Family at the Soles4Souls x Elliot Tebele Shoe Event in Richmond, NYShoes for distribution at the Soles4Souls x Elliot Tebele Shoe Event in Richmond, NY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Thank you so much. I have five kids and it has been hard to get them the things they need. They are all so happy to receive their new shoes;”

–Mother of 5, Queens, New York

“I love these sneakers; they have all my favorite colors. Blue and pink are my favorite. Thank you so much, I can’t wait to show my teacher.”

–3rd Grader, Queens, New York

“Wow, I love vans. I needed a new pair of shoes. My old ones were beginning to fit me tight. I am so happy. This is like my early birthday gift. My birthday is in two days.”

– 6th Grader, Queens, New York”

Soles4Souls and Our Partnership With Elliot Tebele

As a massive Air Jordan and game memorabilia collector, Elliot wanted to find a way to connect his passion for sneakers with his enthusiasm for philanthropy. In 2022, Elliot and his team reached out to Soles4Souls to organize a donation towards our annual Ten2Give Campaign; the River Fund Shoe Event was a direct result of this donation. Knowing that having family-friendly, accessible activities in the home can help bring families closer together, Elliot also worked with his team at What Do You Meme? to provide a total of 100 different games to share with those who attended the River Fund Shoe Event. These games included:

  • What do you Meme Family
  • Fill in the Blanks
  • Let’s Get Talking
  • Shotgun Jr.
  • Toe Cheese Chase
  • Crack the Code
  • Pop Under Pressure
  • New Phone, Who Dis
  • I Wish I Didn’t Know
  • Shotgun
  • Grounded for Life
  • Who Knows Better

Children at the Soles4Souls x Elliot Tebele Shoe Event in Richmond, NY

 

Our Mission

Shoes and apparel are transformed into educational and career opportunities through Soles4Souls’ programs. 4Opportunity, 4Relief, and 4EveryKid are Programs we’ve designed that improve the economic, educational, physical, and emotional well-being of people all around the world. Since 2006, people in 137 countries and all 50 U.S. states have received more than 83 million pairs of shoes and apparel through these life-changing programs.

When you support Soles4Souls, you help create change. Learn more about how to support Soles4Souls here.