Please send tips on footwear brands and retailers that are participating in charitable events to ccarballo@footwearnews.com.
May 31: Reebok has teamed with the Navy SEAL Foundation as its official human performance partner through 2020. The collaboration includes supporting the Naval Special Warfare community and families by raising awareness on health and providing access to fitness education and activities. Starting June 2, Reebok kicks off the partnership as a sponsor of the inaugural Boston Frogman Swim, a 5K open-water swim across Boston Harbor. Additionally, the Boston-based brand will offer a 20% discount to military personnel and their families on Reebok.com and at Reebok stores nationwide with a valid military ID. “Fitness grounds people — it’s an enabler to what matters most. We’re eager to tap into this underlying force to help beneficiaries of the NSF, who have sacrificed so much, be their best selves,” said Chris Froio, SVP and GM, Reebok North America.
May 31: Bogs is doing its part to lend a hand to those in need. Known for its offering of weatherproof product, it has launched an initiative that gives new life to gently used boots. The “Reuse a Boot Program” provides consumers an easy way to pay it forward with their Bogs boots that need a new home with one of the company’s outdoor education partners. Consumers can print a prepaid shipping label, package the boots, write “donation” on the box and drop it in the mail. The boots will be forwarded to one of the company’s outdoor education partners. Adult and children’s product is accepted
May 30: Amazon announced a $1 million donation to the American Red Cross, which will come in the form of Amazon gift cards offered to those who donate blood at crucial times throughout the year. The e-tailer will also host 17 blood drives for its employees in Seattle and offices across the country in June. Donors of all blood types who give blood by June 10 through the Red Cross can receive a $5 gift card via email. “Amazon is proud to once again work with the Red Cross in support of their disaster relief efforts around the world,” said Dave Clark, Amazon senior VP of worldwide operations. “We hope these gift cards provide further incentive for everyone to get up, get out, and give blood.”
May 15: Bearpaw continues to take strides in its community. The Citrus Heights, Calif.-based label will participate as a sponsor for the Weave foundation’s Walk a Mile fundraiser, which sees men running in heels for the cause, in nearby Sacramento on May 19 at 11:30 a.m. The organization is dedicated to raising awareness on violence against women as well as providing support services for victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse. John Pierce, president of Bearpaw, said he’s “excited” to join the effort for the third year in a row. “In addition to providing quality footwear to our consumers, it is Bearpaw’s mission to continue to grow our community outreach and charitable initiatives,” he said. For additional information regarding the event, please visit Weaveinc.org/node/1899.
May 15: Adidas Skateboarding is kicking off its annual event series in collaboration with The Harold Hunter Foundation, which honors the late athlete with programs open to the public that include games, contests, speaking panels and skateboarding activities. The 13th annual program runs from May 30 through June 2 in New York. “New York is an extremely important city for skateboarding, and Adidas is committed to helping serve the community,” said Cullen Poythress, senior communications manager. Hunter was a skateboarding star who died in 2006, and the foundation is an organization that provides support for New York City skateboarders as well as other services. A full schedule of events will be available on Adidas.com.
May 15: Footwear brand Ccilu celebrated its second year in donating shoes to 100 teachers in the Los Angeles area. The ceremony took place May 14 at Hancock Park Elementary School. “We have expanded to two schools this year, and hope to make it more of a national event in the future. We want to honor what teachers do each day by helping them do it in comfort and style,” Ccilu founder and CEO Wilson Hsu said in a statement.
