OKC Thunder Shoe Sale Benefiting Local Charity

You can feel the excitement all over the city, as the Oklahoma City Thunder are back in the playoffs.

While getting ready for their next opponent, the team was also getting ready for a shoe sale.

“I’ve been doing it for at least eight years, eight or nine years, and I get at least two pairs every year,” said Thunder fan, Lisa Watford.

They call it the home court support shoe sale and raffle. “This is our big annual shoe sale, and we sell the player's shoes, some of which are signed,” said Heather Katzenmeier, with The Thunder Home Court Support.

It’s a blind purchase, meaning fans don’t know which player’s shoes they are buying, or if they are signed, but the fans are allowed to dream about hitting the jackpot. “Something colorful and something signed,” said Watford.

Shoes are donated by the players and sold for one hundred dollars all for a good cause. “All money goes to a charitable organization here in Oklahoma City, to support women and children,” said Katzenmeier.

Fans lined up early just to get shoes from their favorite Thunder player. “The shoes will go fast,” said Katzenmeier.

“Oh, we were like sweating the whole way, counting how many people, I think they said there were thirty left, and then by the time we got there maybe twelve,” said Alex and Thunder fan.

The wait and stress are all worth it for the lucky. “I mean I love Chet, it’s super cool that I got these and it’s super lucky I got these you know,” said Alex.

The shoes sold out in about 14 minutes, but fans could also purchase five-dollar tickets for raffle baskets. “It’s a basket full of goodies of video games and gift cards and a signed ball and the player’s favorite snacks,” said Katzenmeier. 

The team does the shoe sale and raffle every year; however, this year was their most successful raising $19,000 to give to a local charity.