Former intern delivers sneakers to entire Montreal-area high school for back-to-school
After working as an intern at James Lyng High School, Julian Grau-Brown wanted to do something special for the students there.
As someone who wants to become an educator, he said everyone deserves to start the school year off on the right foot.
So, he bought 155 pairs of new shoes.
It took a rental van to deliver all the boxes to the school in South-West Montreal, and a whole team of volunteers helped unload so many colourful new kicks.
Now studying at McGill University, Grau-Brown remembers his time at this high school.
"I was here as a behaviour technician so I came here and helped the kids out and guided them with classes and helped them whenever they needed my help," he said.
He enjoyed the experience and wanted to offer the students a gift for the back-to-school season.
"Every year I wanted to start school off with a brand new pair of kicks, of fresh shoes and I know that’s not available to everyone so I said, 'if I can check that box for a family or a whole school, why not do it?'" he said.
Grau-Brown started a gofundme page and raised more than $3,200.
Not as much as the $5,000 he wanted, but still enough to buy shoes for every student in the school – without any corporate sponsorship help.
He then got everyone’s shoe size, bought some great new shoes and delivered them to James Lyng High School.
Principal Lino Buttino couldn't believe it.
“He got the shoes! I said 'holy mackeral, wow ok,'" said Buttino.
Buttino added that "Julian is exceptional in being a man of his word and he came through!"
The local Desjardins Bank also kicked in homework supplies for a big giveaway.
Grade 11 student Nyzaya McLean-Gordon said, “We're all really grateful and appreciate it a lot.”
“Not a lot of people have the opportunity to get these shoes, this is great,” said student Guandique Richards, holding his new Nikes aloft.
Vice-Principal Andrea Dillon added that the school wants to set the students up for success.
"All the students need to start the year on the same level," she said. "We're giving them equal opportunity to have what they need for their lessons."
The lesson today was that one person can make a big impact.
Laughing, Julian said he feels like a kid too.
"I’m giving them out to the youth but I'm still a youth so I have a connection with these kids," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.