HISTORY

Samuel Bistrian spent his formative years in the isolated village of Benesti, Romania, where he faced the challenges of living under communist rule. Growing up, he had limited access to resources and was only able to acquire his first pair of rain boots, handed down from his older siblings, when he was six years old. When the communist regime collapsed, Bistrian's family recognized the opportunity to seek a better life in the United States, and they migrated when he was eight years old.

In 2001, Bistrian returned to Romania for the first time since moving to America. As he witnessed impoverished children trudging through the rain and snow with inadequate shoes, Bistrian knew he had to help.

After completing his college education, Bistrian launched a career in the fashion industry at Neiman Marcus. While employed at Neiman Marcus in 2009, he crossed paths with TOMS founder, Blake Mycoskie, whose dedication to philanthropy served as a source of inspiration for Bistrian. Recognizing the potential to unite his passion for fashion with his commitment to making a positive social impact, Bistrian resolved to establish his own philanthropic enterprise after being inspired by TOMS founder, Blake Mycoskie, while working at Neiman Marcus in 2009.

In 2010, ROMA BOOTS was established with the support of Bistrian's friends and family. As Bistrian's philanthropic fervor intensified over the years, he decided to create two separate entities to pursue his passion for serving others. The first, ROMA BOOTS, operates as a for-profit enterprise, while the second serves as a conduit to carry out the mission of "Giving Poverty The Boot". Originally known as Roma For All, this organization was renamed ROMA FOUNDATION in June 2016 after obtaining its 501 (C)(3) status.

Who We Are

We are a team of dedicated philanthropists driven by compassion and a desire to give. With a strong commitment to education and appreciation for the arts, we strive to make a positive impact on the lives of children worldwide.

What We Do

ROMA FOUNDATION is dedicated to investing in the lives of children and families, striving to overcome poverty. Through close collaboration with our partners, we have distributed boots to 32 countries spanning 6 continents. Our ultimate aim is to empower individuals living in poverty by equipping them with the necessary skills to overcome the hurdles they face and to foster a culture of empowerment.

Donated 1,000 boots

Roma's 1st boot drop to Romania.