(CNN) 鈥� A mystery donation of rare Air Jordans left at an Oregon homeless shelter earlier this year led to more than $50,000 in auction proceeds returning to the organization.
It all started in April, when a pair of gold shoes were anonymously dropped down a donation chute at the Burnside shelter of the , Erin Holcomb, the organization鈥檚 director of staff ministry, told CNN.
James Free, a formerly homeless man who is part of the organization鈥檚 long-term shelter program, found the shoes. The unique-looking kicks were set aside since they appeared to be in perfect condition, Holcomb said.
A quick Google search revealed the shoes looked just like a pair of gold Air Jordans worn by director Spike Lee during the 2019 Academy Awards when he won his first Oscar, according to Holcomb.
鈥淪o we thought, 鈥榃ow, what amazing replicas,鈥欌�� Holcomb said. 鈥淚n my head, I thought, 鈥楳aybe we can sell them on eBay for $100 as replicas.鈥欌��
Holcomb decided to take them to a local sneaker shop, where she discovered the shoes were part of just a handful of pairs made in collaboration with Lee for the director and his inner circle. They were never released to the public, Sotheby鈥檚 confirmed to CNN.
鈥淚 was absolutely shocked because I wouldn鈥檛 have ever in a million years imagined that those would have ended up in our donations bin. But obviously I was thrilled and amazed,鈥� Holcomb said.
The shop owner offered to buy the sneakers right then, but Holcomb said she鈥檇 think it over.
She soon realized at least one pair of the other specially made shoes was previously auctioned by Sotheby鈥檚. She then reached out to the global auction house, who told her they thought the shoes were perfect for a sneaker auction at the end of the year.
鈥淭hey offered to waive their seller鈥檚 fee,鈥� Holcomb said, allowing all profits to benefit the organization.
She reached out to the designer, Tinker Hatfield, who agreed to donate an unpublished design concept board used in his collaboration with Lee, as well as a replacement box for the shoes. Hatfield, a Portland local, even went to the Mission to autograph the memorabilia one day before Holcomb flew out to Manhattan to turn in the shoes in person.
An auction date was set, and Sotheby鈥檚 estimated the shoesand $20,000.
In a statement to CNN, Sotheby鈥檚 explained what made the pair of shoes so special despite not having been worn by Lee.
鈥淲ith its limited production and unique design, coupled with Tinker鈥檚 signature on the box and the design proof, these sneakers are a true collector鈥檚 item,鈥� Eric LiBassi, a specialist in Sotheby鈥檚 Streetwear and Modern Collectibles Department in New York, said in the statement.
鈥淭his pair is one of very few pairs made. They were reportedly reserved for Spike and a few others on his team,鈥� LiBassi said. 鈥淪pike and Tinker worked to produce a colorway to commemorate his Oscar nomination for the film, BlacKkKlansman.鈥� A colorway is a designer鈥檚 term for a color combination.
On December 18, more than a month after Holcomb turned in the shoes, the auction went live and the Rescue Mission held a watch party.
The shoes sold for $50,800.
鈥淭here was tons of clapping 鈥� cheering, hugging. People were just really thrilled and it was high fives, just a fun moment of seeing this amazing story come to a really beautiful conclusion,鈥� Holcomb said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 remarkable how this whole thing came about, I am just fortunate to be a part of this,鈥� Free on the Mission鈥檚 Facebook page after the auction closed. 鈥淭his is going to take care of so many people in so many different ways, so thank you so much for this opportunity.鈥�
Where the shoes came from and who bought them remain a mystery 鈥� one for which the Portland Rescue Mission鈥檚 staff said they are truly grateful.
鈥淲hoever it was that purchased them, I think really created a beautiful ending to an amazing story and we鈥檙e so thankful, thankful to the person who gave them, whoever they were. They were willing to take the risk of entrusting us with these shoes,鈥� Holcomb said.
The proceeds from the auction will go back to the Burnside shelter where the shoes were found, Holcomb said.
鈥淚t expands our ability to do meals, and overnight shelter and the critical services we provide there. We can get a lot of meals out of this donation, which is huge,鈥� Holcomb said. 鈥淭his is our busiest time of year, and we have a lot of demand (for) our services right now.鈥�
The organization gets more than 130,000 pounds of clothing donated every year, which all goes out to people in need 鈥� the gold Air Jordan shoes being a rare exception 鈥� Holcomb said.
鈥淲e could not keep our doors open without so many people who give in smaller but critical ways to allow us to continue to serve people here,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hese shoes contribute to that, but the bigger story, in my mind, is truly the generosity of our community.鈥�
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