Veterans receive one-of-a-kind Christmas gift

A Borderland entrepreneur donated more than 50 hours and $3,500 to help give veterans gifts on Christmas morning.

The men at the Veterans Transitional Living Center in Downtown El Paso gathered around the dining room table, excited to claim one of the 18 boxes of customized athletic shoes.

Lee Robins was among the men. He’s from Houston and new to the center.

“I was going through some difficult times and ended up becoming homeless,” said Robins. “So this is where I spent my Christmas, which was a great place.”

Robins said the gift couldn’t have come at a better time. The shoes he was wearing were becoming tattered, and part of his sock showed through a hole.

Charles Moore, owner of C Moore Kickz, spent three hours customizing each pair of Nike or Adidas shoes with the men’s name and branch of military, in which he had served.

The guys wasted no time admiring their new kicks and then testing them out on the basketball court.

“These guys don’t get treated the best,” said Moore. “They deserve to have a good Christmas. They deserve to have a smile on their face and enjoy the day.”

Moore said customized shoes normally would cost around $200, but he doesn’t mind donating to the veterans because of how appreciative they are.

“I was a great feeling to get something new, and people that appreciate something that you’ve done in the past for your country,” said Robins. “It’s really great.”