In 2012, Bill Gaylord and Sam Hansen founded a small but mighty nonprofit called the Gaylord-Hansen Shoe Foundation. Their mission was to provide San Diego school children in low income areas with a brand new pair of shoes. This desire to make a difference in their community was prompted by a recent study revealing that some households couldn't afford to purchase a pair of shoes for every family member. This lack of an essential need meant some kids were at risk of being left behind in the day to day activities like attending school. Bill & Sam knew that a brand new pair of shoes would provide kids with the opportunity to confidently stride towards a brighter future! And so began the Gaylord-Hansen Shoe Foundation's Annual Shoe Event.

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After seven successful years, eight Southern California Elementary schools, over 5,000 new pairs of shoes, and

a whole lotta smiles, Bill & Sam were motivated to be even more connected to the community they lived in. Fueled by a passion to G.I.V.E. back, coupled with the strong belief in the power of people working together for the greater good, they expanded their ability to serve, now meeting the human, societal, educational, cultural, and environments needs of communities. Determined to create a society where everyone is provided the opportunity to reach their full potential, the 

Gaylord-Hansen Community Foundation was born.

 

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