Play Passion Project
What Started as a shoe drive, now has turned into a Global Initiative
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Our Journey
What began as a small shoe drive in January 2025 quickly transformed into a global initiative. Within our very first month, we collected over 1,500 pairs of shoes thanks to the overwhelming support from our community, local events, and the reach of our growing social media presence. It became clear that this was more than just a one-time effort; it was the beginning of something much bigger. Month after month, our collections nearly doubled, and what started as a simple idea began gaining real momentum.
Helping others has always been at the heart of who we are; philanthropy isn’t just something we do; it’s part of our identity. In just our first year of operating, we surpassed 50,000 donated pairs and traveled with Soles4Souls to personally deliver shoes to communities in need in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. While our impact has reached global communities, we remain deeply committed to giving back at home; continuing to support domestic violence shelters and schools across New York and hold regular distribution events to serve those in our local community.
Media & Recognition
ABC7NY
We are honored to have been featured on ABC7NY for our distribution at PS 74, shining a spotlight on the impact of our work within the community.
From serving families locally to leading life-changing distributions abroad, our organization is driven by one mission: to show up where help is needed most. The ABC7NY feature recognized not just a single event, but the growing movement behind our work that is powered by dedicated volunteers, strong partnerships, and a belief that service can change lives.
Click the button to see the article and special video of the event by ABC7!
New York 1 New Yorker of the Week
We are deeply honored to be recognized by NY1 as New Yorker of the Week, an accolade that celebrates individuals and organizations making a meaningful difference across the city.
This recognition reflects the heart of our mission: serving communities with purpose, compassion, and action. To be named New Yorker of the Week is not just an honor, but a reminder that community-driven service has the power to inspire change far beyond a single moment or place.
We are grateful for this recognition and energized to continue expanding our impact, uplifting lives in New York and beyond.
Click the button to see the article and special video of the event by NY1!
Staten Island Advance
The Staten Island Advance first captured our journey in March 2025, documenting our very first event and the beginning of our mission to serve the community. Since then, our impact has grown, and they returned to showcase just how far we’ve come during our recent distribution at PS 74.
From our first steps to serving hundreds locally and expanding our work abroad, this feature reflects the progress, perseverance, and passion behind our organization. It’s a powerful reminder that meaningful change starts small and grows through commitment, service, and heart.
South Shore Rotary
We’re incredibly grateful to be featured on the South Shore Rotary TV Show and to work alongside such an inspiring group of community leaders. We’re especially thankful to the South Shore Rotary for hosting a shoe drive in support of Play Passion Project and helping us get quality footwear to those who need it most. Seeing our mission embraced by the Rotary and the local community motivates us even more to keep growing our impact. We’re excited to continue this partnership and build even more opportunities to serve together.
Around the Island
We’re grateful to be featured on Around the Island and to share the mission of Play Passion Project with the community. Thank you for helping us spread awareness about the importance of access to proper footwear and the impact it can make. We appreciate the support and look forward to continuing to grow our reach together.
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