A rare pair of gold Nike Air Jordan 3s anonymously dropped off in the donation chute of a Portland shelter and recently sold for an astounding $50,800 at a Sotheby’s auction.
The sneakers, originally custom-made for filmmaker Spike Lee, were discovered by James Free, a formerly homeless man residing at the shelter, who brought them to the attention of the staff.
Limited-Edition Sneakers Auctioned for Charity
Erin Holcomb, director of staff ministries at the Portland Rescue Mission, shared the exhilarating experience of watching the auction’s final minutes.
The sale price surpassed all expectations, with each increase met by tears and applause from the two dozen people gathered to witness the event on a large screen TV in the shelter’s conference room.
“We couldn’t believe it. The generosity of this moment has been a huge celebration for our whole organization,” Holcomb expressed.
The auctioned sneakers were part of a limited custom batch created for Spike Lee by Nike’s Tinker Hatfield in 2019. Lee had worn his pair to the Academy Awards, where he accepted an Oscar for his screenplay “BlacKkKlansman.”
The donated shoes, however, were not Lee’s personal pair but were among a few made for him to distribute within his inner circle.
The auction included a replacement box and additional Nike merchandise donated by Tinker Hatfield, who authenticated the shoes during a visit to the shelter.
Nike, headquartered in nearby Beaverton, Oregon, played a significant role in this act of philanthropy.bThe identity of the anonymous donor remains a mystery, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this heartwarming story.
James Free, the man who discovered the valuable sneakers while sorting through donations, expressed his happiness at being part of this unique moment.
“I’m just so happy to be a part of this,” Free said. “I love this place, and I’m so glad to see this story shared.”
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Nike Air Jordan Auction Nets $50,800
The $50,800 proceeds from the auction will benefit the Portland Rescue Mission, an organization that has been serving people struggling with homelessness, hunger, and addiction since 1949.
The funds will support the mission’s vital services, including food, access to bathrooms and showers, health care, housing, and employment resources for the approximately 6,000 people it serves annually.
Holcomb emphasized the significance of the donation, stating, “It’s a really beautiful, helpful gift, and it is a piece of a much larger story of generosity in our community.”
The unexpected windfall from the auction serves as a testament to the power of kindness and the positive impact it can have on those in need.
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