Owen Arnaudy is not just a student and an athlete, but also a philanthropist. The junior at St. Augustine High School and a cross country and track runner has been organizing a shoe drive called “Save Your Soles” for the past three years. His mission is to collect used shoes of all types and distribute them to various organizations and groups that help people in need.
Key Takeaways
- Owen Arnaudy, a high school junior and athlete, has run a shoe drive called “Save Your Soles” for the past three years.
- The mission is to collect used shoes of all types and distribute them to organizations helping those in need.
- The drive expanded to include various types of shoes and supports multiple organizations, from an orphanage to the homeless.
- The initiative is both charitable and environmentally conscious, giving shoes a second life and reducing waste.
- Owen aims to surpass his previous record of 700 shoes collected in 2022.
- The shoe drive runs until November 15th, and Owen welcomes new organizations that can benefit from the donations.
- Owen’s effort aligns with similar initiatives by nonprofits like Soles4Souls and Funds2Orgs.
- His work showcases how one person’s simple idea and passion can make a positive impact.
- “Save Your Soles” inspires others to get involved in similar charitable endeavors.
Owen started his shoe drive in 2021 when he realized that he had many pairs of shoes that he no longer wore or needed. He decided to donate them to One World Running, a nonprofit that collects and sends athletic shoes to runners in developing countries. He also encouraged his friends, family, and schoolmates to join him in his cause.
The following year, Owen expanded his shoe drive to include other types of shoes, such as children’s shoes, dress shoes, everyday shoes, and flip-flops. He researched and contacted different organizations and groups that could benefit from his donations. He found out that there was an orphanage in Tijuana that needed shoes for the children, a women’s shelter that needed dress shoes for the women who were looking for jobs, a return-to-work program that needed shoes for the participants who were re-entering the workforce, and the San Diego homeless who needed shoes for their basic needs.
Owen also reached out to the Coronado community for support. He set up collection boxes at various locations, such as schools, churches, libraries, and businesses. He also promoted his shoe drive through social media, flyers, and word-of-mouth. He was amazed by the response he received from the community. He collected 700 shoes in 2022, which he sorted and delivered to the respective organizations and groups.
Owen’s shoe drive is not only a charitable act, but also an environmental one. He aims to give the shoes a second life and reduce waste by repurposing them for people who cannot afford them or need them for their livelihood. He believes that every pair of shoes can make a difference in someone’s life.
This year, Owen is hoping to surpass his previous record of 700 shoes. He is once again collecting used shoes of all types until November 15th. He is also looking for new organizations and groups that could use his donations. He invites everyone to join him in his shoe drive by donating their used shoes or spreading the word about his initiative.
Owen’s shoe drive is similar to other shoe drives organized by Soles4Souls, a nonprofit that turns shoes and clothing into opportunities for education and employment in developing countries, and Funds2Orgs, a social enterprise that helps nonprofits raise funds through shoe drives.
Owen Arnaudy is an inspiring example of how one person can make a positive impact on the world with a simple idea and a lot of passion. His shoe drive “Save Your Soles” is a testament to his generosity, compassion, and leadership. He hopes that his initiative will inspire others to do the same.