New Balance announced that it is teaming up with its athletes, including Milos Raonic, Sydney McLaughlin, Dejounte Murray, Rose Lavelle, Rob Pannell, Trayvon Bromell, Joey Gallo and Zdeno Chara, to collectively donate more than $1 million worth of footwear to front line medical workers.
In addition to wanting front line workers to have comfortable and supportive footwear, new guidelines recommend that those working in medical institutions change shoes and clothing before leaving their place of work.
“As humanity and community, we are being tested, but our heroes are the medical workers on the front lines,” said Milos Raonic, Team New Balance tennis athlete. “I am grateful for the ability to partner with my family at New Balance to show my gratitude to these heroes.”
The joint donation will deliver more than 13,000 pairs to thank the healthcare community.
“New Balance and our athletes are proud and humbled to be able to show our immense appreciation to those sacrificing so much right now during the COVID-19 crisis,” says Chris Davis, vice president of global marketing for New Balance. “We are thankful to provide footwear to medical institutions in our communities and to help keep those working on the front lines comfortable.”
New Balance is working directly with hospitals in the New England and St. Louis – communities in which NB associates live and work – including Lawrence General Hospital, Mass General Hospital, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, East Boston Community Health Center, Stephens Memorial Hospital, Franklin Memorial Hospital, Missouri Baptist and Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
“We’re incredibly grateful to have New Balance standing with us as we battle coronavirus,” says Deborah J. Wilson, president and CEO, Lawrence General Hospital. “New Balance and Lawrence General serve different roles, yet both organizations are facing this pandemic head-on. We share a common thread of independence, a spirit of community and dedication. There’s a real sense of community pride and respect that comes with wearing these sneakers and knowing that they were proudly donated with love and appreciation by some of the same people our Lawrence General team serves day in and day out.”
New Balance has also developed and is currently scaling production and distribution of general-use face masks as demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) has intensified across the country. The brand is currently producing more than 100,000 units per week utilizing two of its factories in Lawrence, MA and Norridgewock, ME.
Photo courtesy New Balance
