Two Ten Footwear Foundation Announces Plans For 77th Vip Dinner and Gala

Two Ten Footwear Foundation Announces Plans For 77th Vip Dinner and Gala

Two Ten Footwear Foundation, the national charitable foundation of the U.S. footwear industry, announced plans today for its 77th annual VIP Dinner and Gala, “One Team.”  Scheduled for Wednesday, November 30, 2016, the industry’s premier, dual-event evening of philanthropy and entertainment will be held at the legendary Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City’s Manhattan Center.

Mark King, President of adidas Group North America, is serving as Gala Chair and host, with his team actively supporting development and production of the festivities.

“There’s something really special about this industry,” said King. “It reminds me a lot of sports: We come together for common goals, work hard to achieve success, we respect our opponents and we celebrate and support our teammates. This event recognizes the unifying power of coming together as one team to support one another.”

The evening will begin with a VIP Dinner in the Grand Ballroom, with 500 of the footwear industry’s most influential Two Ten leaders and supporters in attendance.  Cocktails will be followed by an exciting program including a live auction of showcase prizes, special tributes to Two Ten clients and industry icons, and presentation of prestigious awards to three outstanding industry leaders.  Jay Schottenstein, Chairman of DSW, Inc., AEO Inc., American Signature Inc./Value City Furniture, Schottenstein Property Group, SB Capital Group and Schottenstein Stores Corp., will be honored with the T. Kenyon Holly Award for his outstanding humanitarian achievement; Blake Krueger, President, Chairman and CEO of Wolverine Worldwide will receive the AA Bloom Award for his years of commitment to Two Ten Footwear Foundation; and Nordstrom’s Tacey Powers, VP/Rack Corporate Merchandise Manager – Shoes will accept the Two Ten Social Impact award for her commitment to giving back to the footwear community.

Downstairs in the Ballroom, nearly two thousand shoepeople will gather to enjoy cocktails, lite fare and dancing in an environment designed exclusively for the event, with Fergie taking the stage at 9:00 PM.  Specially arranged by Two Ten board chair and Caleres CEO, President and Chairman Diane Sullivan, the eight-time Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum solo artist and vocalist for The Black Eyed Peas will electrify the crowd with a live concert.

“We have partnered with Fergie on her eponymous footwear line for over a decade, and during that time she has truly become part of our Caleres family as well a proud and supportive member of our footwear industry,” said Sullivan.  “She has attended the gala in the past and generously donated to Two Ten.  This year she wanted to support our industry’s foundation with her time and talent.  We are both honored and appreciative, and look forward to a memorable evening.”

In addition to adidas and Caleres, other key supporters who will help reach the $3.5 million fundraising goal for the evening include BBC International, Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY), Wolverine Worldwide, New Balance Foundation, Nine West Holdings, and Nordstrom, along with numerous other, generous donors.  (For a complete list of event supporters, please visit http://www.twoten.org/news-events/two-ten-annual-gala.)

“This year’s theme, ‘One Team,’ truly defines the industry and our 77 years of working together to help change the lives of thousands of shoepeople,” said Neal Newman, President of Two Ten Footwear Foundation.  “We are indeed one team, dedicated to helping our colleagues recover from a natural disaster, a health crisis or to pick up the pieces following a death in the family or loss of a job.  The Two Ten Gala is our industry’s unifying statement and, together with our friends at adidas, we celebrate our unity and our commitment to changing lives.”

About the Two Ten Footwear Foundation

Founded in 1939, the Two Ten Footwear Foundation is the national charitable foundation of the footwear industry, providing emergency financial assistance, scholarships, counseling services and community building programs that change the lives of thousands of shoepeople in the United States every year.  The only industry-centric foundation in the country, Two Ten brings shoepeople together to support each other during times of crisis and to build a sense of community that ensures a bright future for our industry’s workforce. For more information, please visit www.twoten.org.

About adidas

adidas is a global designer and developer of athletic and lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories with the mission to be the best sports brand in the world. As an innovation and design leader, adidas engineers the best in high-performance products to make athletes better, faster and stronger and creates a range of classic and fresh lifestyle and high-fashion lines.