Making a Difference…
The Magic Shoe Foundation is a Newport Beach, CA non-profit organization that exists to provide shoes for various underprivileged high schools, elementary schools, Boys & Girls Clubs and other local organizations.
Where it started
Bill Sumner, otherwise known as “Coach”, started the Magic Shoe Foundation in 1981. As the Coach of Corona Del Mar High School Track & Cross Country teams, Coach has always had a passion for assisting underprivileged youth, and running. These two passions combined into the Magic Shoe Foundation. The Magic Shoe Foundation collects lightly worn running shoes and cleans, refurbishes and distributes them to needy kids and adults in the local area so they can start or continue their running careers.
Cynthia Holcomb, began helping with the Magic Shoe Foundation in 1993. Originally the foundation distributed 300 - 500 pairs of shoes per year. Cynthia thought this figure could be improved to do 1,000/year. Since that day, the Magic Shoe Foundation has been going strong, providing a total of over 20,000 shoes to the community.
In memory of Cynthia Holcomb
On October 13, 2003 Cynthia Holcomb passed away suddenly from a heart attack at the age of 48. She cherished helping children, especially in their pursuit of excellence in the activity of their choice.
Since running was such a large part of Cynthia’s life, Coach decided to dedicate the then-Bastille Day 5K Run in her honor. It would please her to no end to have thousands of runners celebrating her special life with a run. The event has since changed names to the Magic Shoe 5K Run/Walk, but the mission stays the same. . . to distribute shoes to the underprivileged!
Shoe Donations of all sizes are always accepted at the below listed address. Monetary donations are always accepted via mail, or internet.
Donations to the Cynthia Holcomb Magic Shoe Foundation should be mailed to:
Cynthia Holcomb Magic Shoe Foundation
c/o Cal Coast Track Club
PO Box 712
Newport Beach, CA 92658
Thank you for your support!
