For Malcolm Passama, choosing where to give back was an easy decision.
The 2023 Chapel Hill ISD graduate returned to his former district Wednesday, Oct. 21, through a partnership with Tradehome Shoes at Broadway Square Mall to provide 100 pairs of shoes to students at Jackson and Wise elementary schools. The donation benefited 50 students at each campus.
“There was no question that I was going to pick Chapel Hill,” Passama said.
The donation was made possible through Tradehome’s Shoes for Kids program, which uses proceeds from select product sales to provide shoes for children. Passama credited the store’s customers for helping make the gift possible.
“A lot of people don’t know, but this is all from our customers,” he said. “We take proceeds from some of our product sales to put into our Shoes for Kids program.”
For Passama, the opportunity to support Chapel Hill students carried personal meaning. He reflected on the role the district played in helping him grow and the joy of returning to serve a new generation of Bulldogs.
“Chapel Hill did a lot for my personal development and I grew a lot,” Passama said.
Kristyl Hester, Chapel Hill ISD’s parent and family engagement coordinator, said the partnership demonstrates the impact community support can have on students and families.
“This donation helps meet a practical need for our students and shows them that their community cares,” Hester said. “We are grateful to Malcolm and Tradehome Shoes for supporting our families. It is especially meaningful to see a Chapel Hill graduate return to make a difference for today’s students.”
Chapel Hill ISD thanks Passama, Tradehome Shoes and the customers whose purchases helped provide this gift to students.