A Day to Remember
Nearly 3,000 students. Five middle schools. One unforgettable surprise.
DREAM Alive helped kick off the 2026 school year in a way our scholars and teachers won’t soon forget.
On Wednesday, Aug. 12, DREAM Alive, TCC, a Round Room subsidiary, and fellow nonprofit New Shoe Day staged “Operation Do Good,” a surprise event giving every single middle schooler at Arlington, Howe, Longfellow, Northwest, and William Penn a brand-new pair of New Balance shoes and socks to help students get off to a running start.
It was the biggest event in DREAM Alive’s history and a powerful way to begin the new school year.
More Than a Pep Rally
It all began like any great pep rally: music, energy and a gym full of students ready to celebrate all the possibilities of the new school year. What made it different was the presence and support of TCC associates who traveled to the Circle City as part of a company-wide conference to spend the day connecting with our scholars.
Before anyone even mentioned shoes, TCC volunteers connected with scholars through small-group conversations, icebreakers and activities to explore careers and build confidence and encouragement.
Then came the surprise.
Scholars were fitted for a brand-new pair of shoes on the spot, as Operation Do Good put more than $375,000 of footwear into the hands and on the feet of students who needed them most. None of it would have been possible without our partner New Shoe Day, who sourced every single pair heading home with our scholars that day.
More than Just New Shoes
Back-to-school season is expensive, and shoes are often one of the first things that get pushed down the list when families are stretching a budget. Eric Müller, DREAM Alive’s President and CEO, put it simply: “For many families, back-to-school season is stressful, and there are many items that need to be budgeted for, including shoes. The teachers and students of these five schools received an incredible surprise today, and it’s a great reminder of what a community is capable of when we all come together and support one another.”
“Operation Do Good is about much more than providing new shoes,” added Courtney Kibble, executive director of Round Room Gives. “It’s about showing students that an entire community believes in them. We believe the most meaningful impact happens when we combine giving with genuine human connection.”
And TCC’s generosity didn’t stop at shoes. They also presented both DREAM Alive and New She Day with $70,000 donations each to continue fueling the work we do together.
Stepping Into Something Bigger
Beyond the shoe giveaway itself, Operation Do Good also marked another milestone for DREAM Alive. Thanks to a recent Mega Grant, we’ve expanded our presence from three IPS middle schools to five, offering even more students access to the one-to-one mentorship, leadership development and life-enrichment programming DREAM Alive provides year-round. The expansion added an extra element to the celebration among the students it was designed to serve.
The Celebration Continues
We’re not done yet. On Friday, Aug. 21, we’re doing it all again at Paramount Middle School, the sixth school in DREAM Alive’s family. It’s one more chance to surprise another group of scholars and a reminder that their community is showing up for them too.
And in the weeks to come, teachers from all six schools will also be gifted with a brand-new pair of shoes of their own, a small thank you for everything they do for our students every day.
A Community Cheering Them On
Moments like this are exactly why DREAM Alive exists: to remind students, again and again, that people in their community are paying attention, showing up and cheering them on.
A huge thank you to TCC and New Shoe Day for making Operation Do Good possible, and to every volunteer who spent the day connecting with our scholars.
A new pair of shoes will help a student walk into the school year with confidence. Knowing an entire community believes in them will carry them much further.