Oakley Forever

On Monday evening, Palm Beach gathered at Club Colette for the sold-out 8th Annual Food Allergy Awareness Benefit, an event that has become one of the most meaningful fixtures of the season. Guests filled the candlelit room not simply to support a worthy cause, but to honor the life that inspired it: Oakley Debbs, the beloved young boy whose tragic passing sparked a movement that now reaches millions. What began as a family’s unimaginable loss has grown into a global mission to ensure that no other parent, sibling or friend experiences the same heartbreak.

Red Sneakers for Oakley was created by Robert and Merrill Debbs after their son Oakley died from an anaphylactic reaction to walnut extract hidden in a dessert. He was allergic to tree nuts. His beloved bright red sneakers, worn on the day he passed and buried with him, became the organization’s symbol and rallying message. Today, they represent urgency, awareness and the power of education. In the words of Executive Director Lindsey Spangler, “When people write to say they didn’t know they needed to carry an EpiPen, and that this information saved their child’s life, that is the reason we do this work.”

This year’s benefit reflected just how far the organization has come. Spangler highlighted the extraordinary progress: more than 40,000 people in the community have received critical allergy information, over 50 educational events have been organized, and the organization now connects with more than 40,000 followers across its social platforms. Their ambassador program has grown to 470 individuals worldwide, a network of children and adults who live with food allergies and share the message of preparedness and protection.

The growth has been matched by recognition. May 20 is now officially International Red Sneakers for Oakley Day, a global call to awareness that continues to expand each year. Looking ahead, 2026 will mark a new chapter, including a celebratory World Cup kick-off event in Newport with Mia Hamm.

Monday night also reflected the heart of their work: a community that keeps widening. New supporters filled the room alongside the familiar faces who have stood with the organization since the beginning. Their shared mission remains clear. Red Sneakers for Oakley aims to provide families with the tools, knowledge and confidence they need to navigate life with a severe food allergy. As Spangler noted, “When you put on your red sneakers, you feel more empowered to live a normal life, but a safe one.”