About Us
We are a student-run nonprofit fighting homelessness one pair at a time.
Founded by UCLA students in 2021, Spare a Pair is a volunteer organization dedicated to providing Los Angeles' unhoused population with new socks and new or gently used sneakers. Through fundraising events and donations, we gather resources in order to put these much-needed items in the hands of people facing homelessness in Westwood and the greater Los Angeles community.
Meet the Board
Chairman
Brandon Valafar, J.D.
Brandon is a recent graduate of UCLA School of Law ('26). He plans on pursuing a profession in the legal field and is currently exploring different areas of practice. In his free time, Brandon enjoys playing basketball, traveling, spending time with friends, and exploring new restaurants.
Director
Arian Sadeghi
Arian is a recent UCLA graduate from Los Angeles. He is currently working on a tech startup in the sneaker sector. In his free time, Arian enjoys collecting rare sneakers, investing, being active, and spending time with friends. Arian plans to share the influence of Spare A Pair within the entire sneaker community.
Director
Kian Farahdel
Kian is a recent alumnus of UCLA (‘23) born and raised in Los Angeles. He currently resides in Newport Beach, where he works in the alternate credit and private strategies of an asset management firm. In his free time Kian enjoys traveling, camping, photography, and exploring new foods and cultures.
Director
Eden Farahmand
Eden is currently a second-year M.D. student at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine. He plans on pursuing a career in head and neck surgery or neurosurgery. Eden enjoys reading, playing volleyball, snowboarding, and hosting dinners with his friends.
President of Taft High School Chapter
Blake Valafar
Blake is a senior at Taft Charter High School. He plans to attend a four-year university next year to pursue business and economics. In his free time, Blake enjoys listening to music, spending time with friends, and going on hikes.
Our Story
Spare a Pair was founded by a group of childhood friends who, while attending UCLA together during the pandemic, witnessed the worsening homelessness crisis in Los Angeles firsthand. We noticed that one problem was not getting much attention: shoelessness among unhoused individuals. While there were plenty of food drives, opportunities to donate money, and more, no one seemed to be asking for shoes! After speaking with our peers, we also noticed that many people had a surplus of lightly-used shoes sitting in the back of their closets, just waiting to be thrown out.
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In founding Spare a Pair, we hope to raise awareness about what a pair of shoes could mean to someone else, provide opportunities to have these sneakers donated, and get them into the hands of people who will use them every day. Something as simple as a pair of shoes can have a significant impact on a person's overall well-being and quality of life. With your help, we can make a positive difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate.