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firefridays

#FIREFRIDAYS

Every student deserves to feel proud, confident, and happy. #FIREFRIDAYS is all about uplifting students through sneaker cleanings, meaningful conversations, and through this campaign, providing shoes to those in need. It’s more than just footwear, it’s about connection, confidence, and community. Support our four-week initiative to provide shoes to elementary students in Orange County.

Ways to Contribute to #FIREFRIDAYS

Support #FIREFRIDAYS, a four-week initiative aimed to collect lightly worn or new shoes to provide Orange County elementary students in need with a new pair of shoes.

1

Donate Shoes

Drop off/send a pair of new or lightly worn shoes at Family Oasis, 131 West Midway Drive, Anaheim, CA 92805.

2

Share Our Message

Help us amplify our message by using one of the share icons below and sharing on your social media.

3

Organize Shoe Drive

Organize or host a shoe drive at your workplace, place of worship, neighborhood, or community group.

It's not the sneakers you wear, but the steps you take in them.

Our goal is to provide new/gently worn shoes to students in need. All donations will be used to provide shoes to students in need across Orange County elementary schools. 

Amplify Our Message by Sharing through Email or Social Media

Subject: Join [Me/Us] in Supporting #FireFridays!

Hello,

[I’m/We’re] supporting Western Youth Services’ #FireFridays campaign, a four-week initiative aimed to collect lightly worn or new shoes in order to supply Orange County elementary students in need with a brand new pair of shoes. #FIREFRIDAYS is all about uplifting students through sneaker cleanings, meaningful conversations, and through this campaign, providing shoes to those in need. It’s more than just footwear, it’s about connection, confidence, and community. 

The need is great– not every family has the means to ensure their children have basic footwear, and #FireFridays seeks to create a space where every student can feel proud, confident, and happy, regardless of what they have on their feet. #FireFridays also offers an opportunity for positive adult interactions; WYS BHS Coordinator, Jimmy Guidos, founded #FireFridays a couple years ago to clean students’ shoes while teaching them how to be respectful, responsible, safe, and cope with their emotions.

Western Youth Services is hoping to make #FireFridays even more impactful. Their goal is to donate 3,500 shoes to students in need across OC, and they need your help:

  1. Drop off a pair of new or lightly worn shoes at Family Oasis (131 West Midway Drive, Anaheim, CA 92805). Close toed shoes are preferred since this aligns with dress code, but all styles and sizes will be accepted. Donations of shoe laces, charms, and cleaner are also encouraged!
  2. Share this #FireFridays campaign within your social and professional networks to amplify impact

[I/We] hope that you will come alongside me to support this meaningful campaign! For additional information about Western Youth Services or #FireFridays, visit our website.

Thank you!

Download the #FireFridays flyer here.

Click on the image to download and copy and paste the caption to your favorite social media.

Suggested caption for the social media posts:

[I’m/We’re] supporting Western Youth Services’ #FireFridays campaign, a four-week initiative aimed at collecting lightly worn or new shoes to provide Orange County elementary students in need with a new pair of shoes. #FIREFRIDAYS is all about uplifting students through sneaker cleanings, meaningful conversations, and, through this campaign, providing shoes to those in need. It’s more than just footwear; it’s about connection, confidence, and community. 🔥👟

The need is great– not every family has the means to ensure their children have basic footwear, and #FireFridays seeks to create a space where every student can feel proud, confident, and happy, regardless of what they have on their feet.

Here’s how you can help: Drop off donations at Family Oasis, 131 West Midway Drive, Anaheim, CA 92805. All donations will be used to provide shoes to students in need across Orange County elementary schools.

[I/We] hope that you will come alongside me to support this meaningful campaign! #WesternYouthServices.

The Story Behind #FIREFRIDAYS

Jimmy Guidos started #FireFridays a couple years ago to help build positive connections among his students. Every week, teachers would highlight students who were "ON FIRE" in the classroom by showing academic or behavioral growth. During their lunch recess, those students would have the opportunity to get their sneakers cleaned by Jimmy. The goal of these interactions was to help students understand and identify their own strengths and passions, while teaching them how to be respectful, responsible, safe, and cope with their emotions. #FireFridays is an opportunity for students to benefit from a positive adult relationship while also helping them feel empowered and confident, regardless of what they have on their feet.