Living on the streets of Mexico was a challenge. What made it worse for the barefoot brothers was that they were only 6 and 7 years old. But to Danny Macias and his brother Jose, it was home. They survived by their wits. Gathering hay in the fields and selling it to local farmers enabled them to make enough money to buy two simple meals. Fruit trees helped them through the real lean times. The indigenous people of the town provided simple clothing. Shoes were only a dream.
One day, Danny’s brother Jose became very ill. The kids of the street knew that when they faced a serious injury or illness, they could go to the Catholic nuns of the area and be looked after. Danny reluctantly brought his brother to them because he feared they may be separated. The nuns took the gravely ill Jose into their hospital. As Jose convalesced, the nuns began the search for a relative who would take the boys in. An aunt was soon located in America. Danny now had dreams that he and his brother would soon share warm food and a comfortable bed. Soon the aunt was in town and a new life was just ahead or so they thought. The aunt that was to be a savior announced to Danny that she did not want a sickly child. He was devastated. Jose would be left behind.
Before leaving town, she dressed Danny from head to toe in a fine suit and yes… finally shoes! As Danny sat in a hotel bed he pondered life without his brother. Overcome with grief, he jumped out of the window and ran to the hospital to say goodbye. As the brothers cried together, Danny was at loss as to how to show his brother just how much he cared. It was then that he removed his precious shoes and laid them at his brothers side… 65 years later, upon Danny’s death, friends and family spoke of a compassionate life of giving and generosity. In the year 2006, his son Andrew and grand-children Stephanie and Andy visualized a charity to honor his life. Danny’s Shoes Foundation soon became a reality.
Wonderful Footnote: 12 years later, Danny and his brother Jose were reunited in America.
One day, Danny’s brother Jose became very ill. The kids of the street knew that when they faced a serious injury or illness, they could go to the Catholic nuns of the area and be looked after. Danny reluctantly brought his brother to them because he feared they may be separated. The nuns took the gravely ill Jose into their hospital. As Jose convalesced, the nuns began the search for a relative who would take the boys in. An aunt was soon located in America. Danny now had dreams that he and his brother would soon share warm food and a comfortable bed. Soon the aunt was in town and a new life was just ahead or so they thought. The aunt that was to be a savior announced to Danny that she did not want a sickly child. He was devastated. Jose would be left behind.
Before leaving town, she dressed Danny from head to toe in a fine suit and yes… finally shoes! As Danny sat in a hotel bed he pondered life without his brother. Overcome with grief, he jumped out of the window and ran to the hospital to say goodbye. As the brothers cried together, Danny was at loss as to how to show his brother just how much he cared. It was then that he removed his precious shoes and laid them at his brothers side… 65 years later, upon Danny’s death, friends and family spoke of a compassionate life of giving and generosity. In the year 2006, his son Andrew and grand-children Stephanie and Andy visualized a charity to honor his life. Danny’s Shoes Foundation soon became a reality.
Wonderful Footnote: 12 years later, Danny and his brother Jose were reunited in America.