The Willow Glen Resident

Photograph by Skye Dunlap

Sole Man: Cisco Systems' CEO John Chambers auctioned shoes from Tori Spelling, Florence Henderson and Dusty Baker Dec. 11 as San Francisco 49ers cheerleaders looked on enthusiastically.

Celebrities sell shoes to stomp out hunger

Second Harvest Food Bank benefits from Hollywood's soles

By Cecily Barnes

At lunch time last Thursday, nearly 100 Cisco Systems employees circled the company's conference room eyeballing Tori Spelling's orange platforms, Florence Henderson's sparkly silver pumps and the sneakers once worn by San Francisco Giants manager Dusty Baker. The 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleaders held the famous footwear in glass boxes. Less popular togs belonging to Cisco executives were also displayed. Cisco successfully auctioned all of the shoes and donated the money to Willow Glen's Second Harvest Food Bank.

"It's part of Cisco's Holiday Food Drive," Second Harvest spokeswoman Julie Scopazzi said. "Last year they brought in 1.2 million pounds of food by auctioning artwork created by the company's vice presidents. This year they put shoes in mahogany boxes with glass covers, and an accompanying story of where the [shoe's owners] walked in the shoes."

Cisco's vice president Joe Pinto sold the shoes he wore when promoted to his position, and vice-president for global alliances Charlie Giancarlo parted with the ratty tennis shoes he wore when purchasing Stratacom for $4.5 billion. Other executives' shoes were accompanied by stories of significant events that occurred while the shoes were worn, including business acquisitions and winning or losing company sports games.

Before the auction began, two employees caught up in the spirit sold the shoes off their very own feet. One employee sold his tie for $100. Employees shouted bids for different shoes, escalating prices up to $5,000.

"It's a really fun way for us to participate in a charity," said Cisco employee Wendy Roberts. "We know the personalities of the people whose shoes are up there, so this means more to us. Our vice president is a pretty straight guy, so it's really adorable to see his [tiger] slippers up there."

John Morgridge, chairman of Cisco's board of directors, agreed to match the total amount of money raised, leaving Second Harvest Food Bank with at least $80,000 from the auction. The company held other fundraisers, including a holiday gift wrap and root beer float party where executives served employees.

"It's been an entire month of giving," Roberts said. "They have all types of events, and they try to make things fun."

Last year, Cisco raised $300,000 for the Second Harvest Food Bank, winning the corporate champion award for being the biggest donor. This year the corporate champion has not yet been crowned. Scopazzi said Cisco's contributions are a huge help.

"John Morgridge is the chairman of a very, very successful corporation, but he gives back to the community in so many ways." Scopazzi said. "He's very community-oriented."

Cisco CEO John Chambers defined Cisco's charitable ways at the auction.

"I think it's a national disgrace that anyone should go hungry," Chambers said. "Through our own success we should share with others who are less fortunate."

Throughout the entire year, the Second Harvest Food Bank collects 16.5 million pounds of food. Almost seven million of that is raised during the holiday season. Second Harvest acts as a warehouse for food-distribution organizations and soup kitchens.

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