Stephanie Hoffman bought her boots at a garage sale in Gordonville, Texas. She says she needed something to “protect” her at the time. She had just started an internship in state Adult Protective Services, working in areas unfamiliar to her.
“I just needed something to hold my own, you know? And make sure I could get in and out of there safely,” Hoffman says.
Hoffman’s boots have been her armor, giving her a feeling of protection during difficult situations she experienced all across the country, for the last 28 years. In one instance, she and her partner put a deposit on a place to live in New York City two weeks prior to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. After 9/11, she put on her boots and volunteered at ground zero, helping to open a family assistance center there. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, Hoffman put on her boots and helped to bring cell service to those affected.
“When I need comfort, I put my boots on, and I’ve highly suggested that others get some boots,” she says.
Used boots are especially valuable, Hoffman says.
“There are used boots all over the place that still have a lot of walking to do, and a lot of times, you might be able to transfer that good luck to somebody else, because I do feel like I’ve had very good luck in my boots,” she says.
Written by Savana Dunning.