The History of the Red Shoe

September 27th, 2024 | News

It’s hard to miss Ronald McDonald’s Big Red Shoe. At events or featured at businesses across the community, this iconic feature brings smiles as it raises awareness and funds for our mission.   

Yet did you know it’s a one-of-a-kind, even in an organization with 280 Ronald McDonald House chapters worldwide?  

The Shoe’s history dates back decades when a local artisan designed and built the larger-than-life clown shoe replica for a tradeshow. Wes Miller owned Foot-So-Port Shoe Corporation, which had a clown costume division where Joe Hauser, now 92, was employed. After a fire shuttered the company, Miller led the marketing division at Wisconsin Aviation but kept the memorable shoe and friendship with Hauser. 

During a conversation with his aviation colleague Trevor Janz, Miller pondered what to do with the four-foot clown shoe?! Janz knew exactly where it could be of good use.  

Janz and his family spent ten months at RMHC-Madison while his daughter, Abbey, was a patient at American Family Children’s Hospital. As a marketer, Janz understood this iconic Shoe could inspire others to give back to a mission that made such a difference to families. So, they dusted off the Shoe and made the trip from Oconomowoc to Madison to donate it during the expansion.   

Yet until recently, the Big Red Shoe’s origins remained largely undiscovered.  

As the Shoe was carted from events to businesses during the Red Shoe Roadshow, staff were keenly aware of the gem in their midst and what the loss or damage of the Shoe would mean. The quest to figure out where its origins began came to an almost immediate stop upon learning of Wes Miller’s passing. Then, by a stroke of pure luck, a photo of the Shoe was posted on LinkedIn.  Janz, who continues to follow RMHC-Madison, saw the photo and commented, “I donated that shoe!! Glad to see it!”  Janz helped assemble the puzzle and connected RMHC-Madison staff with Joe Hauser. 

Hauser, now 92, lives in Jefferson with an active carpentry shop in his basement. These days, he focuses on intricate woodworking pieces rather than leather.  Pouring through photo albums of his clown shoe days, it was clear the RMHC-Madison’s Big Red Shoe holds a special place in his heart, even amidst the immense catalog of clown shoes he’s produced over the years. 

Hauser and Janz continue to connect us with artisans in the community to create a 3-D model and possible replica if the shoe is damaged. The story of the Big Red Shoe is yet another reminder of how many incredible connections touch this mission. 

Wonder how you can use the Big Red Shoe to support our families at your business?  Contact our Development Team.