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Story by Jackie Rosa

Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Podiatric Medicine (WesternU CPM) partnered with Samaritan’s Feet and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) to provide shoes and essential items to over 500 students and their families, some of whom were affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.

The distribution events took place during LAUSD’s Vision Fairs on March 22 at Helen Bernstein High School and March 29 at Monroe High School. The Office of Development & Civic Engagement coordinated the distribution of essential items that were donated to LAUSD to address the needs of LA Unified families impacted directly or indirectly by the fires.

A group of eleven people stands in a row outside a modern building with blue-tiled walls and large windows, smiling at the camera.
Olympian Gary Hall Jr. (back row) with WesternU College of Podiatric Medicine students, CPM Assistant Dean and Associate Professor Rebecca Moellmer, (first row, second from left) and CPM Dean Jonathan Labovitz, DPM, (second from right).

“Over the past three months, L.A. Unified has witnessed the true power of community,” said Sara Mooney, Director of the Office of Development & Civic Engagement. “With the unwavering support of our incredible partners, we hosted 20 donation events that brought comfort, dignity, and care to more than 5,000 families facing a range of challenges—from homelessness to the devastating effects of recent fires. Thanks to the generosity of WesternU and Samaritan’s Feet, we were able to provide shoes to over 600 families, reminding them that they are seen, valued, and not alone.”

People stand around tables stacked with cardboard boxes outside a building labeled "Western University." One person stands in the foreground wearing sunglasses.
Olympian Gary Hall Jr. with CPM students.

CPM Dean Jonathan Labovitz, DPM, FACFAS, CHCQM, led CPM’s involvement, with faculty, staff, and students volunteering alongside Samaritan’s Feet Chief of Staff Nike Ohonme and Olympic Swimmer and diabetes advocate Gary Hall Jr.

Samaritan’s Feet is a global nonprofit that has distributed shoes to over 10.5 million people across 110 countries and 625 U.S. cities.

LAUSD, the second-largest school district in the United States, continues to support communities through collaborative outreach and care.

“Partnering with Samaritan’s Feet and LAUSD allowed us to extend care beyond the classroom and clinic and truly make a difference,” Dean Labovitz said. “We look forward to continuing this meaningful collaboration and expanding our reach to even more communities in need.”