The surprise giveaway, branded as Operation Do Good, was spearheaded by Round Room, LLC, in partnership with DREAM Alive and New Shoe Day. The effort provided every student and teacher at Arlington, Howe, Longfellow, Northwest, Paramount Englewood, and Penn middle schools with new shoes and socks. Beyond the physical goods, the event served as a platform for mentorship, as volunteers from the retail company spent the day leading icebreakers and small-group discussions to foster connections with the youth.

Courtney Kibble, Executive Director of Round Room Gives, noted that the initiative aims to provide more than just material support. By pairing the donation with genuine human engagement, the organizers hope to provide students with a confidence boost heading into the academic year. Eric Müller, CEO of DREAM Alive, added that the gift alleviates a significant financial burden for families during the stressful back-to-school season. This project aligns with a broader expansion of DREAM Alive’s reach, which recently doubled the number of schools it supports in the district to six.