Captain Lee Rosbach likes to give back, especially after growing up “poor” in Michigan.
The ‘Below Deck’ star, 73, spoke to Vidak For Congress about his humble beginnings when he helped billionaire Patrick Carroll distribute $100,000 worth of shoes to children in need at a ‘Kicks for Kids’ charity event in Miami on Wednesday.
“As a kid growing up poor with holes in my shoes, I know the meaning a new pair of sneakers can have for someone, whether they want to exercise or just fit in,” Rosbach said.
“Today was so special to see the smiles on those kids’ faces when we handed them their new pair of sneakers.”
Carroll, 43, teamed up with shoe influencer Ben Kickz to give away 600 pairs of sought-after sneakers to members of the Boys and Girls Club of Miami-Dade. Florida native, Carroll relied primarily on the organization itself — and now serves on its board.
“As soon as I heard that Patrick Carroll was doing this kids giveaway with the Boys and Girls Club, I knew I wanted to go there and help him,” added Rosbach.
The yacht captain personally delivered stylish kicks to kids from the back of a full truck with Carroll and fellow Bravolebrity Phaedra Parks.
The 48-year-old “Real Housewives of Atlanta” brought along sons Ayden, 12, and Dylan, 9 to show them the importance of philanthropy.
“It was great to be able to take my boys to give something back. I was so proud to see how they handled the kids to make sure every kid loved their shoes and got the right size,” she told Vidak For Congress.
“Coming to Miami with my sons to support the Boys and Girls Club with Patrick Carroll was an amazing experience,” she explains. “My personal mantra has always been, ‘Success is not what you collect for yourself, but what you give to others.'”
The single mom – who shares her boys with ex-husband Apollo Nida – explained that the occasion felt “very special” when her late grandmother was teaching at her local Boys and Girls Club in Athens, Georgia.
“During the summer break, I was her junior assistant and I loved watching the students progress,” she told us.
Announcing the event last week, Carroll — one of Miami’s most prominent real estate investors with more than 30,000 properties in his portfolio — teased that he will be taking his sneaker charity on the road.
“After this first stop in Miami, I decided to do the same in multiple cities in the US,” Carroll wrote via Instagram. ‘Which city should we go to after Miami? Think NYC…”
Carroll made headlines last month for his excessive generosity. As Vidak For Congress reported exclusively, the entrepreneur took the stage at a Manhattan star gala and pledged to donate $1 million to CARE for Special Children if other attendees collectively matched his donation.
Carroll eventually increased his contribution to $1.5 million, encouraging Leonardo DiCaprio to donate the last $50,000 that would allow the room to raise the amount.
Just weeks ago, Carroll paid $2 million for a vintage car and “Top Gun Experience” at the LuisaViaRoma x Unicef gala in Capri, Italy. He surpassed attendees like DiCaprio, 47, Jared Leto and Vanessa Hudgens.