Founded by Samuel Bistrian, 28, who immigrated to the United States from Romania when he was a small boy, Roma Boots takes its name from the children it hopes to benefit --- the Roma population of Central and Eastern Europe. "When I visited Romania during the winter months to visit family, I truly saw the urgency for someone to help," Bistrian says. "I watched children walk to school in knee-deep snow with terribly worn shoes. In one town I saw a young girl out in the freezing slush carrying a bundle of firewood and wearing only a pair of sandals. Having grown up in a small village in Romania, I lived through many of those treacherous days. I walked to school, played and did my chores outside until my feet were frozen. I also remembered one of my favorite winter gifts --- a pair of rubber boots passed down from my three older brothers." Bistrian felt compelled to help and saw rain boots as the most practical solution to this grave situation. He founded Roma Provisions with the generous help of friends, family and many volunteers.
Bistrian is the author of Goodbye Transylvania, an inspirational story of a young boy who dares to dream beyond the boundaries of his communist village in Romania to a world with limitless opportunities in the United States. He chronicles the struggles immigrants face in their transition to freedom and provides a vivid look at what makes America great. All of the proceeds from Goodbye Transylvania go to the Roma For All Foundation to help purchase school supplies for the Roma children. The book is available at Amazon.com, Borders.com, barnesandnoble.com, CFN Bookstore, Constantin’s in Addison and Black Forest in Dallas. Bistrian is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University. He and his wife live in Dallas with their daughters Ilona and Emma.
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