In Massachusetts, one man creates custom clown shoes, and in Rhode Island, a nonprofit provides new sneakers for kids without housing.
IN A PAIR OF HIS OWN. THE TOWN OF WENDELL IN NORTH CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS MAY BE SMALL IN SIZE, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO CUSTOM HANDMADE CLOWN SHOES, ITS REPUTATION LOOMS LARGE. THANKS TO GARY AMIRO, OWNER OF JOLLY WALKERS CLOWN SHOES. IS ANYBODY ELSE DOING THIS AROUND THE COUNTRY? ARE YOU? NOT THAT I KNOW OF. IT WAS HIS WIFE’S AUNT AND UNCLE, GRACE AND ANTHONY, WHO STARTED THE BUSINESS IN THE 1940S. BUT WHEN THEY PASSED IN THE 90S, AMIRO, A CARPENTER BY TRADE, FOUND HIMSELF WITH SOME BIG SHOES TO FILL. LADY CALLED FROM FLORIDA AND NEEDED A PAIR OF CLOWN SHOES, AND I SAID, I’M SORRY. I GOES, BUT THEY’RE NO LONGER ALIVE. YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET THEM SOMEWHERE ELSE. AND SHE GOES, …