Two Ten Footwear Foundation’s Footwear Cares® Program Sets Benchmark for Industry Volunteerism
Waltham, MA (PRWEB) July 01, 2015 -- Footwear Cares®, the country’s first-ever industry-wide, month-long community service campaign, finished the way it began on April 1 – with a flourish. Through Footwear Cares, with support from title sponsor Amazon Fashion, Two Ten proudly partnered with 75 local, regional and national charitable nonprofits to provide volunteer opportunities to the footwear industry with one single objective: getting people back on their feet.
Launched three years ago, Footwear Cares served as the conduit for over 110 footwear companies to engage in annual community service projects. Volunteers from across the country joined forces to work on projects addressing many societal needs including hunger relief, conservation, environmental clean ups and clothing or shoe distributions for low-income families. Amazon Fashion has been the title sponsor of Footwear Cares for the past two years.
“Support for the Two Ten Footwear Foundation and National Footwear Cares Month is remarkable,” said Stan Friedlander, GMM of Footwear, Amazon Fashion, the title sponsor of Footwear Cares. “The willingness of shoe companies to come together and provide support for communities in need across the country is very gratifying. We are thrilled to be a part of this program and have the opportunity to work with a variety of notable brands to support the footwear industry and local communities.”
“The power of caring is incredible. Footwear Cares is an entire industry coming together and caring for our children,” said Two Ten Footwear Foundation president Neal Newman. “Our neighbors. Our communities. Our open spaces. Our schools. It’s truly inspiring that the footwear industry has united behind a simple, yet profound purpose – caring for those less fortunate.”
Footwear Cares 2015 highlights include:
• 540,000 meals were sorted, packed, prepared or served to food insecure children, families, seniors and the disabled.
• 12,570 pairs of new shoes were distributed to children.
• Over 25 environmental projects were completed to enhance our coastlines, nature trails, community parks and recreation facilities.
• 3,256 low-income children were provided with clothing.
• 1,303 volunteer hours contributed to conservation, restoration and home building projects.
“I have found it incredibly inspiring to see the momentum the Footwear Cares initiative has gathered the past several years,” remarked Jeanne Markel, Technical Advisor to the Zappos.com CEO and Footwear Cares Committee Tri-Chair. “It’s such a unique project as we see both retailers and vendors alike, many of whom are competitors, literally rolling up their sleeves and working side by side to make a difference in our communities. It truly shows the power of our industry – all coming together for a common cause of getting people back on their feet.”
About Two Ten Footwear Foundation
Two Ten brings shoepeople together to help each other during crisis and support each other as a community. We are committed to providing emergency financial assistance, scholarships, counseling, services and community building programs that upholds our 75 year legacy of changing lives. Visit http://www.twoten.org for more information.
Maureen Lederhos, Two Ten Footwear Foundation, http://www.twoten.org, 781-736-1525, [email protected]
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