11 Feb Citation from Governor As Two Ten Footwear Foundation Celebrates 75 Years
Two Ten Footwear Foundation today proudly celebrated its 75th anniversary on the steps of the Massachusetts State House with the presentation of a citation issued by Governor Deval Patrick. The citation recognizes the Foundation’s 75 years of outstanding service to America’s footwear community of 250,000 members, many of whom are from Massachusetts. February 10, or Two Ten Day, marks the official beginning of the Foundation’s anniversary year.
“While the footwear industry has changed dramatically since 1939, when 210 Lincoln Street housed some 300 shoe companies, one facet of our industry has been a constant – footwear cares for its own and the communities we serve”
Since its humble beginnings at Boston’s 210 Lincoln Street where working shoe people passed a hat to collect money for those without jobs, Two Ten continues to serve as the safety net for the footwear community. Now a national charitable organization, Two Ten has awarded millions of dollars in emergency financial assistance and college scholarships to American footwear employees and their families.
“While the footwear industry has changed dramatically since 1939, when 210 Lincoln Street housed some 300 shoe companies, one facet of our industry has been a constant – footwear cares for its own and the communities we serve,” said Neal Newman, president of Two Ten Footwear Foundation.
Blake Krueger, chairman, president and CEO, Wolverine Worldwide and chairman of the Two Ten Board of Directors, said, “Through Two Ten, our industry demonstrates – doing so now for 75 years – that companies and individuals band together to support others in the footwear community in times of pressing need.”
Two Ten’s Impact on the Community in 2013
Last year alone, Two Ten Footwear Foundation had the following impact on those working in the American footwear industry:
- Delivered $2.5 million in financial support and scholarships
- Supported 2,000 families in need
- Prevented 800 evictions
- Awarded 200 grants for emergency can loan assistance and repairs
- Provided 500 families with emergency utility payments
The centerpiece of the Foundation’s 75th anniversary celebration is the second annual Footwear Cares®, an industry-wide community service program led by the Foundation and the event’s title sponsor, Amazon Fashion. During the month of April, Footwear Cares will unite approximately 100 footwear companies and 5,000 footwear volunteers to provide support to local charities to drive positive change in neighborhoods and communities across the country.
About Two Ten Footwear Foundation
During 2014, Two Ten is proudly celebrating its 75th anniversary as the footwear industry’s national charitable foundation – the only foundation of its kind in the United States. Two Ten is committed to strengthening America’s footwear community by providing emergency financial assistance at times of crisis; college scholarships for footwear employees and their families; community building opportunities; career affinity group networking; and other social and career services. For more information about Footwear Cares and Two Ten Footwear Foundation, please visit www.twoten.org.