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In honour of World Shoe Day, we’re thrilled to share that Canadian artist Daniel Mazzone is generously donating 100 pairs of custom painted Nike Air Force 1s to Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada!
Ninety pairs will be donated directly to young people transitioning out of government care, and the remaining 10 will be auctioned off to raise critical funds for the Foundation.
You are invited to get involved and help make a difference by placing your bids! The auction is now live and will remain open until noon ET on March 31, 2023.
Daniel, who experienced homelessness for five years in his youth, says that helping young people leaving government care access new shoes is a cause close to his heart.
“As someone who was homeless at one time, I always had shoes with holes in them. Nike was a favourite brand of mine and any time I was able to get a pair, it made me feel a little bit better about what I was going through,” he says. “So I really wanted to do something for other young people facing challenging experiences, to help them get back on their feet.”
Daniel’s bright designs evoke the beauty of stained glass, which he took up as a hobby in his youth after watching his mother create stained glass art.
“I painted the shoes like stained glass to give [young people] something bright and hopeful to look forward to,” he says. “Each one is painted in its own unique way, which reflects the uniqueness and individuality of every young person who will receive a pair.”
Every year, thousands of young people raised in government care are required to leave their foster or group homes at the age of 18 or 19, depending on their province.
Without the support of a family, and often without a basic high school education or steady employment, far too many young people leaving care struggle to find the stability they need to create lives of their own making.
Funds raised through the auction will directly support the urgent needs of young people transitioning out of care as well as the Foundation’s two other priority populations: children living in government care and children and families at risk. Learn more about how we’re making a difference for the children, youth and families we serve with the support of our donor community.
“Through this collaboration, I hope to share the message that as bad as things may seem, you can only go up from here,” says Daniel. “Nothing is impossible. Great things can happen and dreams do come true.”
Thank you so much, Daniel, for your incredible generosity and partnership!
Learn more about Daniel Mazzone and make sure to follow him on Instagram. And don’t forget to place your bids to win a pair of Daniel’s custom painted Nike Air Force 1s!
