Rami Rifi, a Staten Island teenager and founder of the Play Passion Project, is a young philanthropist providing new shoes to children in need through a youth-led nonprofit shoe drive. What began as a wardrobe clear-out has grown into a charitable footwear donation initiative serving schoolchildren, families and communities in New York and across the world. Built by a high school junior, the student-led giving movement collects new and lightly worn pairs, then places them directly with children who need them. It stands as a practical model of teenage community service and ethical charity, powered by dedicated volunteers and local vendors. The initiative shows how a simple personal decision can develop into a wider effort to improve children's access to essential everyday items.
Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!