While skateboarding with the right shoes doesn't seem to concern most kids, Joe Maloof noticed otherwise during a trip to South Africa.
Irvine-based Maloof Skateboarding, which produces the Maloof Money Cup, is partnering with Vans for "Skate & Donate," a shoe drive that gathers new and gently worn shoes for youth in the country.
"When I visited South Africa last year, I learned about an amazing 6-year-old named Msho who was skateboarding barefoot," Maloof said in a prepared statement.
"It really touched all of us," he said. "We started a global initiative in December to promote skateboarding across the world as a positive, healthy activity and to make a difference in the communities where we host our contests."
Maloof owns Maloof Skateboarding, the Sacramento Kings and the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
Vans has already donated 1,000 shoes to the cause and the public is welcome to donate.
The following retail locations are accepting donations in Southern California: Active Ride Shop, CCS, ET Surf, Identity Board Shop, Jack's Girls, Jack's Surfboards, Long Beach Skate, Nine Star, South Bay Skates, Surf Concepts, United Board Shop, Utility, Val Surf and ZI Boarding House.
For more information, visit maloofskateboarding.com or maloofmoneycup.com.
—Joanna Clay
