eBay
Tony Allen’s infamous ‘Chris Paul’ shoe donated for charity auction
Shoe to bring Christmas to Youth Villages’ kids

During the Memphis Grizzlies’ highly successful November road trip to California, guard Tony Allen was suspended and fined after an incredible defensive move put his left shoe uncomfortably close to 2013 All-Star MVP Chris Paul’s face.  Allen’s infamous accidental-kick was ruled a Flagrant Foul 2, and he was ejected from the game. Allen quickly rebounded from the accident and issued his apologies to Paul.

To celebrate the holiday season, Allen – the NBA’s Season of Giving Ambassador for the Memphis Grizzlies – is donating the renowned shoe to Youth Villages, a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Memphis. Youth Villages will auction the shoe online as part of an effort to raise $15,000 to buy presents for children receiving help on Youth Villages’ Memphis residential campuses and group homes.  

“I’m glad that the shoe will be creating something special for kids in Memphis. Everyone deserves to have a Christmas to remember. I’m glad I can be a part of their memories,” Allen said.

  • “The Shoe” (left Adidas Rose 4) is autographed by Allen
  • Mounted in a custom Memphis Grizzlies display case

“It’s a one-of-a-kind piece of sports memorabilia that will be an amazing addition to any Grizzlies fan’s collection,” said Richard Shaw, chief development officer at Youth Villages. 

Starting bid price of $750 will provide holiday gifts for 10 children in Youth Villages' care. The auction ends Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013.

All proceeds generated from the sale of “The Shoe” will be matched 1:1 from an anonymous donor (up to $10,000) and will be used to ensure that all children away from their families this Christmas at Youth Villages experience the joy of the season. 

Youth Villages serves more than 1,000 of the most vulnerable children and families in Shelby County every day. While many are served through in-home and community-based efforts, more than 355 children are in Youth Villages’ residential programs.  

“About 60 percent of these children will not be able to go home for the holidays and will wake up Christmas morning in residential care,” Shaw said. “Understandably, this time of year is particularly difficult for these children. We go to great lengths to ensure that each of them can celebrate the holidays with the excitement, gifts and joy they deserve.”

Youth Villages is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to helping emotionally and behaviorally troubled children and their families live successfully. This year, the organization will help more than 22,000 children and families in 11 states and Washington, D.C., through its Evidentiary Family Restoration™ approach. The organization’s EFR-based programs center on five tenets: family, measurement, community, intensity and accountability, and include intensive in-home services, residential treatment, foster care and adoption, transitional living services, mentoring and crisis services. Youth Villages has been recognized by Harvard Business School, U.S. News & World Report and the White House as a model for data-driven social innovation. 

For more information about Youth Villages, visit [link removed by eBay] or call [phone removed by eBay].