Teen Sets Guinness World Record by Donating Over 21,600 Pairs of Shoes to Families in Need

 

Augustus Holm, an 18-year-old from San Diego, recently achieved a remarkable feat by organizing a footwear drive that set a Guinness World Record for the largest donation of shoes in 24 hours. On December 7, 2024, Holm and his team of volunteers collected and distributed over 21,600 pairs of shoes, surpassing the previous record of 17,526 pairs. The event, held at the Spectrum Center in San Diego, aimed to provide new footwear to families in need, especially during the holiday season.

Holm’s passion for philanthropy began at just 13 years old when he helped organize a fundraising gala for his mother, Pat Salas, who was the chairperson of the event. The gala raised over $230,000, which inspired Holm and his friends to continue giving back to the community. This led to the creation of the Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC), a non-profit organization with Holm as president. Through YPC, Holm and his team have initiated various successful projects, including raising $40,000 for a school in Kenya and donating thousands of shoes to local organizations like San Ysidro Health and Father Joe’s Village.

For their latest challenge, the YPC partnered with Jellypop, a Los Angeles-based, female-founded footwear brand, and set an ambitious goal to donate 17,000 pairs of shoes. However, when they learned about the Guinness World Record for the most shoes donated in 24 hours, they set their sights even higher. After extensive planning, the team successfully collected 21,604 pairs of shoes, which were carefully packed into boxes and transported to the giveaway site in San Diego.

The two-day event involved intense physical labor as volunteers worked tirelessly to organize and distribute the shoes to individuals who could benefit from them. Many attendees shared their gratitude, including one woman who works as a house cleaner and was able to replace worn-out shoes, as well as provide gifts for her children in time for Christmas.

The verification process for the Guinness World Record was thorough, involving documentation such as photos, videos, and written statements. After fulfilling all the requirements, the YPC’s efforts were officially recognized by Guinness.

In addition to the record-breaking achievement, the event also resulted in extra donations, amounting to $3,000, which will support future initiatives by YPC. Holm, who recently graduated from high school, is also working on a project called CheckRx, an app designed to help people navigate Medicare. The app has already attracted significant investment, with a valuation of $8.8 million.

Holm’s success with both YPC and his entrepreneurial endeavors has positioned him as a young leader in philanthropy and innovation. He hopes that the recognition from Guinness will help propel his future projects, including those aimed at assisting seniors, supporting youth, and improving access to healthcare.

“Doing this makes me feel good,” Holm said. “But I love to help my community, and I’m not going to stop anytime soon.”