Children identified through Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis, Children’s Bureau also tour Indianapolis Colts practice complex and meet “Blue”
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., 2014-7-28 — /EPR Retail News/ — Meijer and SKECHERS teamed up earlier this week to give away new pairs of BOBS from SKECHERS shoes to 1,000 Indianapolis children in need, during a day of fun at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center – the practice complex of the Indianapolis Colts.
“Meijer was built on a fundamental philosophy of supporting the communities where our customers and team members work and live,” said Lynn Hempe, group vice president of softlines for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer. “We’ve worked with SKECHERS for a decade, and are thrilled to bring that partnership to another level by providing children with a brand new pair of shoes that they can call their own. It was a fun day for everyone involved.”
Since the BOBS from SKECHERS program launched in 2011, SKECHERS has donated more than 8 million pairs of new shoes to children in need in more than 30 countries worldwide.
“Meijer is a strong retail partner for our BOBS footwear program, so we wanted to create a special event together and give back in a big way,” said Gerald Turetzky, national sales manager for BOBS from SKECHERS. “We’re proud that 1,000 children in the Indianapolis community received a new pair of BOBS shoes, plus a memorable day of fun at the Colts Practice Facility.”
After receiving their shoes, the children had fun decorating them with paint pens. The shoe donation event also included a mini football camp inside the Colts’ practice facility, a chance to view the Super Bowl trophy, and meet the team’s cheerleaders and mascot, Blue.
“Meijer has been a longstanding partner of ours in the community,” said Stephanie Pemberton, Colts Senior Director of Marketing. “We were honored to have another opportunity to serve alongside them and provide an incredibly special day for so many central Indiana children.”
K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers worked with Children’s Bureau and Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis to identify children to receive the shoes.
“Partnerships are key to community betterment,” said Tina Cloer, president and CEO of Children’s Bureau. “We are grateful to SKECHERS and Meijer for allowing Children’s Bureau families a day of fun and shoes.”
“We are grateful for community partners who are willing to give to our youth,” said Rick Whitten, executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis. “Many of our club kids come from homes in which this kind of giving makes a major impact. With the new school year approaching, we know many will be excited to receive this kind gift.”
Downloadable photos from the event are available at http://newsroom.meijer.com/skechers-shoe-donation. B-roll is available for interested media at http://newsroom.meijer.com/broll-footage.
About Meijer
Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 210 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. As a pioneer of the “one-stop shopping” concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive electronics departments, garden centers and apparel offerings. Additional information on Meijer can be found at www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.
About SKECHERS USA, Inc.
SKECHERS USA, Inc. (NYSE:SKX), based in Manhattan Beach, California, designs, develops and markets a diverse range of lifestyle footwear for men, women and children, as well as performance footwear for men and women. SKECHERS footwear is available in the United States via department and specialty stores, Company-owned SKECHERS retail stores and its e-commerce website, and in over 100 countries and territories through the Company’s international network of subsidiaries in Canada, Brazil, Chile, Japan, and across Europe, as well as through joint ventures in Asia and distributors around the world. For more information, please visit www.skechers.com, and follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SKECHERS) and Twitter (twitter.com/SKECHERSUSA).
About K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers
K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers unites retailers, manufacturers, foundations and individuals to provide people impacted by poverty and tragedy with new merchandise, effectively distributed through a network of agency partners to improve the well-being, self-esteem and dignity of at-risk families and individuals. To date, over $1 billion of donated products have been distributed through our network, serving the poor and disadvantaged worldwide. For more information, visit: donateproduct.com.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis
Since 1893, Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis have served the Indianapolis community. With 11 Club locations, the Clubs provide programs for over 7,300 youth in the areas of career exploration and educational enhancement, citizenship and leadership, the arts, and health and fitness. For additional information, please call 317-920-4700 or visit www.BGCIndy.org.
About Children’s Bureau, Inc.
Children’s Bureau is a well-established nonprofit working on behalf of abused and neglected children and families in Indiana. Through our more than 17 programs, we act as an advocate for all children and families focusing on those that are at-risk. We provide a full array of community based prevention and intervention services and work in partnership with the Department of Child Services and various other community organizations statewide. Currently, we provide child and family social services in over 40 counties throughout Indiana to nearly 43,000 annually. More information about Children’s Bureau is available at www.childrensbureau.org.
Contacts: Christina Fecher, christina.fecher@meijer.com, 616-735-7968; Lauren Dutko, laurend@skechers.com, 424-254-6084
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