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Portledge Helps Support Red Sneaker Day

Communications
On Friday, December 2, 2016, students, teachers and parents at Portledge School in Locust Valley wore red sneakers (and other red apparel) in support of the Red Sneakers Foundation – a newly formed organization that was created by the parents of Oakley Debbs, an 11-year-old boy and friend of a Portledge family, who passed away just after Thanksgiving due to complications from a nut allergy.

Red sneakers were the only shoes Oakley liked to wear, and the Red Sneakers Foundation was created shortly after his death in an effort to help raise awareness of the danger of nut allergies through the creation of educational programs, research and public policy initiatives. The hope of the foundation is that one day red sneakers will serve to represent the dangers of nut allergies nationwide.

The support of the Portledge community on Friday was unparalleled, and 6th grade student Jack Fentress, who was a friend of Oakley’s, was overwhelmed by the support, “I'm really glad so many kids at school are supporting him, who didn't even know him. I'm really sad that he had to pass away and I'll miss him a lot."

While it is still in its beginning stages, The Red Sneakers Foundation hit home for many parents at Portledge. Lindsay Dubofsky, whose daughter suffers from nut allergies, stated, “It is amazing to see people come together to honor Oakley's memory and spread awareness of the dangers of food allergies by wearing red sneakers. I think that the most important thing to do as a parent of a food allergic child is to have complete knowledge of how severe an allergic reaction can be and to always be prepared with your medical action plan in case an incident occurs.” This sentiment was shared by other Portledge parents including Jami Friedman. “Our oldest son has life-threatening allergies to milk, eggs, tree nuts and sesame, as well as asthma, so this is a fear we live with on a daily basis. The Red Sneaker Foundation is a beautiful way to honor this young boy and bring awareness to the allergy epidemic.”

For more information about the Red Sneakers foundation visit redsneaker.org.
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