- All right y'all it's time to share a story
I found on social media that'll brighten your day.
This is #What I'm Liking
(upbeat music)
An Arizona team with a huge heart
is making a difference in kids' lives
by providing them with an essential many take for granted,
new shoes.
Sam was shocked to learn just how many kids
at his local elementary school couldn't afford them,
so he took action and partnered with a non-profit
to raise over $15,000
enough to provide all the students with a new pair of shoes
and socks.
And he's already got his sights on another school in need.
Let's talk to this amazing kid, what's up Sam!
(clapping)
- Hello.
- Oh, I love you, you've such a great heart man.
Thank you so much for taking the time to be on our show,
right?
- Yeah, thank you so much for having me on here.
I am so excited
and I'm really, I'm just really looking forward to today.
- Awesome, well how did you come up with this idea?
- So two years ago, in my freshman year of high school,
my math class adopted a family during the holidays.
And one of the items on the wishlist,
was a brand new pair of shoes.
So I knew I had to help.
My siblings and I put together some money,
went to the mall, and after hours of searching,
we found the perfect pair of brand new Nike's
for the student.
The gift was given anonymously,
but shortly after the shoes were donated,
I saw a fellow student at the school wearing the shoes.
And every time I would see him wearing the shoes
he seemed so happy and proud,
and it made me feel really good knowing
that I was able to provide the shoes for the student.
So with this idea, I started to get the idea
that I wanted to help on a larger scale.
So I did some research.
I found an amazing non-profit organization
called Shoes That Fit.
And I also partnered
with the local elementary school called Galveston.
Galveston is a unique school
because they're a walking school,
meaning there's no bus transportation,
making good fitting, comfy shoes
an essential item for all of these students.
After these partnerships were developed,
I was able to raise over $15,000
which was used to provide 458 brand new pairs of shoes
and over 2,200 pairs of new socks.
- That's incredible.
So, I mean, I can't imagine how it felt,
going from helping that one person out
to now all these people out.
How has that, how does that feel?
- It felt incredible.
At the event, so many kids were just so happy and so excited
to get their brand new shoes.
I even had one student come up to me
and he was hugging his box of shoes and said,
"Sam, I love these so much, I'm going to keep them forever."
And it just really touched my heart.
Since the past event has happened
and since I realized how successful it was,
I decided to continue my efforts.
And I've now raised over $10,600
to help a second elementary school.
And that is about 53% of my gifting goal.
On a more personal note, for the past five years,
I have been dealing with a chronic illness called Pots,
P-O-T-S, and it causes extreme dizziness.
However the past eight months,
the symptoms have become much worse.
It's been very challenging
but this project has been a blessing for me.
And it has given me something to always look forward to
and it has enabled me to possibly channel my energy
into something.
This has shown me that focusing on helping others
can help us get through challenges
and difficulties of our own.
- Absolutely, I agree with you.
And I'm so sorry, this must have been a hard year for you
especially having to be on zooms all the time for school,
and doing that.
That must have been tremendously difficult, I'm so sorry.
- It's okay, I mean, it's definitely been a challenge
but like your song "Stronger",
what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
- Ey! - And it definitely
just makes-
- I love the tie in, thank you so much, Sam.
I'm liking your post right now, right?
- Well, lots of thank you.
- All right, well that's not all,
we've actually partnered this season with Pilot G2 pen,
the go-to pin of the Kelly Clarkson Show,
and they want to recognize great people doing great things
and that is definitely you sir.
So they're going to give you $1000, how's that sound?
- That is awesome, thank you so much.
- Absolutely!
We love what, we love the work you're doing,
continued success, all right?
- Yeah, thank you so much. - All right.