Braden Aboud Foundation gives shoes to Cooley students
(COOLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL -- March 14, 2019) — Nearly 500 students on Wednesday walked home from Cooley Elementary School wearing brand new Nike tennis shoes, all in memory of a 14-year-old El Paso teen who passed away in 2007.
The Braden Aboud Memorial Foundation delivered the pink and gray shoes to Cooley as part of their effort to improve the lives of children in El Paso.
“This is our favorite day of the year … the day we give shoes away,” said Amy Marcus, the foundation’s shoe giveaway chair. “We love to come out to EPISD schools and work with the District to provide does to deserving students.”
Cooley Principal Elizabeth Prangner said the school developed a merit system to help students earn their new shoes. All students at the school completed the required character-counts components that helped them win the shoes.
The students received one pair of shoes and five pairs of new socks to match.
Gary Aboud, Braden’s dad and one of the executive directors of the foundation, said the socks came from funds donated by the El Paso Rotary Club and an anonymous donor.
Teachers at Cooley said the shoes are a welcomed gift.
“Now these guys can go out and enjoy life and do great at physical education,” said teacher Lourdes Arenas.
Photos by Leonel Monroy