SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Every year, a local shoe repair shop owner in Syracuse makes a significant impact in the community.
Ralph Rotella, the passionate owner of Discount Shoe Repair has taken the initiative to give back by supplying shoes to people in need. Rotella launched Ralph’s Christmas Shoe Drive in 2011 to collect gently used shoes from the community.
“Many years ago, in the winter time, we saw this guy walking in front of the store with no shoes, and I felt so bad, so I asked him to come in and we’d give him a pair of shoes.” Rotella said.
“Soon, he left, and I said, ‘You know what, we should have a shoe drive.’ We get a lot of people with old shoes, which we fix and give away,” Rotella added.
Last year, he collected about 37,000 shoes to donate to the Rescue Mission, and he hopes to gather more this year.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Syracuse shoe repair shop owner gives back in more ways than one
Della Piana: Wooden shoes, new shoes and lobster shoes? Any shoe you bring into Discount Shoe Repair in downtown Syracuse can be fixed by Ralph Rotella. A man whose passion for shoes can’t be denied.
Rotella: Well, I’ve been here for almost 50 years. I got to like it, if not, then I wouldn’t be here.
Della Piana: Ralph came from Italy in 1970 when he was 16 years old. Over 50 years later, he’s still living his dream while doing it all. He will repair your favorite loafers or just polish away a few scuffs.
Della Piana: Now, it’s no secret that Ralph cares for his shoes, but more importantly though, is what he does after the fact. Over the last 13 years, Ralph has donated over thousand of pairs to the homeless community here in Syracuse through his Christmas shoe drive.
Rotella: Many years ago, in the winter time, we saw this guy walking in front of the store with no shoes, and I felt so bad, so I asked him to come in and we’d give him a pair of shoes. Soon, he left, and I said, “You know what, we should have a shoe drive.” We get a lot of people with old shoes, which we fix and give away.
Della Piana: 35 shoes in 2011 turned into over 16,000 in 2017. Then to north of 37,000 last December. Ralph has earned the nickname Shoe Guy or the Sole of Syracuse and he lives by 11 words.
Rotella: When you do something good, you feel good in your heart.
Della Piana: Enough good that could earn your own day in Onondaga County. Reporting in Syracuse, Andrew Della Piana, NCC News.