Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Students Step Forward

By EDDIE RIVERA

Altadena children receive new shoes following Eaton Fire recovery efforts; community partners deliver comfort, confidence and support

More than a year after the devastating Eaton fire in January 2025 upended lives across Altadena, a simple but powerful gesture unfolded Friday morning at Odyssey Charter School: 505 students were fitted with brand-new athletic shoes, each pair a small step toward normalcy.

The March 20 event, held on campus, was made possible through a partnership between nonprofit Shoes That Fit and the Pasadena Community Foundation. For many families still navigating the financial and emotional aftermath of the wildfire, essentials like new shoes remain out of reach.

Organizers said the giveaway was designed not only to meet a practical need, but to restore confidence for children returning to classrooms shaped by disruption.

“One in seven children in the United States lives in a low-income family, and shoes are one of the most expensive items for families to provide,” said Amy Fass, CEO and executive director of Shoes That Fit. “When families have to choose between putting food on the table or buying new shoes for school, you can imagine that food wins every time.”

Fass added that the impact extends beyond footwear. “The simple gift of a pair of shoes can increase a child’s confidence, attendance, and performance at school.”

School leaders said the timing—more than a year after the Eaton Fire—made the effort especially meaningful.

“The Eaton wildfires have deeply affected the Odyssey Charter Schools community and students, many of whom have faced loss, disruption, and uncertainty in their daily lives,” Boonrassi Norman, of Odyssey Charter School, said. “This support goes far beyond shoes—it shows our students that their community cares and stands with them during challenging times.”

As students laced up their new sneakers, the morning offered a visible reminder that recovery, though uneven, continues—one step at a time.