In memory of our son Tristan Gilbert Velez, Vans4Tristan conducts an annual fundraiser that allows friends, family and members of the community (are and beyond) to donate Vans shoes to those in need. Tristan was a vibrant and artistic teenager that like many kids his age also had a passion for shoes. Specifically, Vans, he loved the comfort and the varied designs that they offered. When Tristan passed away in 2014, it impacted not just his family but also his friends. As a way to remember him they started wearing Vans in his memory and naming it #Vans4Tristan.

We now for the fourth year in a row, with the help of close friends have set up a Vans shoe drive that will allow us to help kids that are in need of shoes. Vans had a way of allowing Tristan to express his artistic style, to see him not only wear and in some cases design his shoes was an uplifting experience. I think in doing this, we have the capability to impact kids and uplift their confidence especially during the Holiday Season and also due to the difficulties of that exist in our present time . A part of this also allows us to share and educate people on our story, we lost Tristan due to Suicide. This allows us to focus on Suicide Awareness and ensuring that something as simple as a new pair of shoes has the capability to impact a child in need and can boost their confidence. In sharing his story, we can share the impacts of this type of loss and steps to take if another person experiences the emotions that lead to this.

Last year we had over 500 pairs of Vans donated. These pairs with the help of social workers, principals, and school counselors were able to be donated to kids in our local community. We also had the capability to also make donations to Veterans in need and homeless Veterans.