Biz to Watch: BucketFeet's Shoes for a Cause

Kate Stahl — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 08:00:00 CDT

Call it the Windy City's very own version of TOMS. New Chicago shoe company BucketFeet operates on the motto "buy a shoe, build a community," raising money for children’s charities while introducing new artists through some awesome, one-of-a-kind shoes. A portion of each sale goes to one of BucketFeet's three nonprofit partners: Magic, a stringed instrument program for kids on the South Side, Love.Futbol, a group that helps build safe soccer fields around the world, and Children Mending Hearts, an organization that supports arts programs and workshops for homeless children.

The company was founded by locals Aaron Firestein and Raaja Nemani, avid travelers who met while volunteering with children in Buenos Aires. Firestein is also an artist who often showcased his work on his shoes. Nemani noticed his cool kicks, wanted his own pair, and the two eventually decided to merge their passion for creative footwear and children's charities with BucketFeet. Pick up your pair of shoes ($75 each) through BucketFeet's website. The current designs were all created by Firestein, but look for more designs created by artists based in Chicago and beyond (Bangkok, Buenos Aires) coming soon.

Source: BucketFeet

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Biz to Watch: BucketFeet's Shoes for a Cause