Not every child gets a new pair of shoes each school year. Thanks to Gunn Chevy, 2,800 of them will. Share the Shoes phone-a-thon: Helps Local Kids Step Forward

For many children in San Antonio, one pair of shoes is all they have. Often those shoes are worn thin, too small, or not suited for the activities that could open doors for them. A single pair might get them to school, but it did not prepare them for a band performance, an ROTC uniform inspection, or a first job interview. Younger children, whose feet grow quickly, might need as many as three pairs in a single year — a need many families simply cannot afford.

Zapatos, an all-volunteer organization run by senior citizens, works tirelessly to change that. Partnering with counselors, social workers, and teachers, they identified children in need and, for younger students, even hosted shoe fittings to ensure every pair fit comfortably. Their mission was simple but life-changing: to give children the shoes they need to learn, participate, and dream.

From August to October 2024, Zapatos provided more than 3,000 pairs of shoes to students of all ages throughout Bexar County. This work was powered by community generosity and strategic partnerships.

In late 2024, Zapatos joined forces with the San Antonio Police Department and KSAT-TV for the Share the Shoes event. SAPD substations became drop-off points for brand-new shoes, and the community rallied during a live KSAT phone-a-thon to raise funds, with Gunn Gives volunteers sitting alongside SAPD officers answering the phones.

Gunn Chevy made a $28,000 contribution to the effort, providing 2,800 pairs of shoes and socks to students in Bexar County. This gift meant thousands of children could walk into school, job interviews, or extracurricular programs with confidence — and with footwear that fit both their feet and their dreams.

The Share the Shoes event reminded everyone involved that something as simple as a well-fitting pair of shoes can change a child’s outlook, comfort, and sense of possibility.