Changing the world through shoes one pair at a time.
That's one 17-year-old’s motto who’s trying to give back by incorporating what he loves.
Gabriel Bowen, is a senior at Leavenworth High School.
His passion? Shoes.
"I have probably designed over 50 shoes now," Gabriel Bowen said. "I kind of started doing splatters on the shoes and then I just filled it in from there and let my mind take me wherever."
Designing them, and giving them to those in need.
"Helping others is a big thing for me," Gabriel said. "I've always been doing it pretty much all my life and I just decided to expand it a little bit more now."
He's expanding it to the point where he started his own business and charity.
"I finally found something that I love and that I want to pursue and with my mom's help and my dad's help, I feel like I can accomplish anything," Gabriel said.
"Really when you think, 'man a senior about to go into the world', to know that he's already starting thoughts of how he can improve it? It means everything to me," Gabriel's mother, Shari Brown said.
"I'm proud, I'm honored to see that rubbed off on his life," Gabriel's father Pastor Randolph Bowen said. "So changing the world through shoes one pair at a time, I'm excited."
Now he needs your help. Leavenworth High School is holding a BAZAAR, an event to raise money for student activities. More than 80 vendors will be there with door prizes. Just by attending, you get a chance to win a door prize.
Bowen is one of those vendors and is asking for shoe donations for his charity. He says he's looking for any style and any size.
The BAZAAR is Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Leavenworth High School and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information on the BAZAAR and how to donate, click here.
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Rae Daniel can be reached at Rae.Daniel@KSHB.com.
