06 Apr Two Ten Footwear Foundation Launches Fourth Annual Volunteer Program
Two Ten Footwear Foundation, the national charitable foundation serving the footwear industry, officially launched its annual Footwear Cares 2016 on March 28 at a kick off event held at Suite 36 in New York City. Footwear Cares is the Foundation’s national community service program that brings the footwear industry together through volunteerism, and will once again be supported by Amazon Fashion as the Title Sponsor.
Now in its fourth year, Footwear Cares partners with local, regional and national charitable nonprofits to develop unique volunteer opportunities for footwear industry employees across the country. This year the initiative will focus on helping disadvantaged children by distributing new shoes and hosting events, programs and activities that will benefit the most vulnerable in our communities. The 2016 campaign will include working with child-centric nonprofits like Children’s Trust and Shoes That Fit, in addition to food pantries, homeless shelters, after school programs and more.
For the launch event, Two Ten partnered with Win, a New York-based non-profit that provides shelter, programs and services for homeless women and their children. Attendees participated in filling brand new, child-sized backpacks generously donated by Under Armour with much-needed school supplies that were provided by an anonymous donor. The backpacks will be given to school-aged children living in Win shelters, to help them succeed in school.
Neal Newman, president of the Two Ten Footwear Foundation, said “Helping people in times of crisis has been a core tenet since our founding 75 years ago. The generous support of Amazon Fashion, as the title sponsor of Footwear Cares, enables us to engage thousands of employees from footwear companies across the country as volunteers, to reach more people and affect more communities.” He added, “This year is even more critical as we harness the strength of our industry to impact the lives of disadvantaged children. With 1 in 5 children living in poverty in the U.S., this crisis touches all of us.”
“Amazon Fashion is proud to continue our support of the Two Ten Footwear Foundation and its Footwear Cares initiative for a third consecutive year,” said Dana Luthy, GMM Shoes & Luggage, Amazon Fashion. “Last year, more than 100 footwear companies and 7,000 volunteers joined together, spending thousands of hours working to provide resources to non-profit organizations across the country. We are excited to be part of this impactful event and are especially pleased to help make a difference in the lives of children in need.”
Highlights from National Footwear Cares 2015
Over 7,000 individuals from 110 footwear companies came together in community service, engaging 75 local non-profits in 24 states. The highlights from the combined work included:
- 540,000 meals were sorted, packed, prepared or served to feed children, families, seniors, and the disabled.
- 12,570 pairs of new shoes were distributed to children in need.
- 25 environmental projects were completed to enhance our coastlines, nature trails, community parks, and recreation facilities.
- 3,256 disadvantaged children were outfitted.
- 1,303 volunteer hours contributed to conservation projects including Habitat for Humanity builds, restoration projects, and various beautification works.