The Foot Locker Foundation joined together members of the athletic industry for the foundation’s 18th annual “On Our Feet” fundraising gala. The event, which took place on Tuesday, October 23 at New York City’s Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers, benefits educational and other youth initiatives supported by the Foot Locker Foundation.
“High tuition and student debt should not stop anyone from pursuing their dreams of higher education,” said Dick Johnson, chairman and chief executive officer, Foot Locker Inc. “This signature event enables us to provide funding for programs such as the Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program and our long-standing partnership with UNCF and reinforces our commitment to inspire and empower today’s youth to become leaders of tomorrow.”
Executives from the sports industry, professional athletes and celebrities joined athletic footwear and apparel companies including Nike, Converse, adidas, Fila, Puma and Under Armour, to name a few, to lend their support to this important cause. Celebrity guests including Bernie Williams (NY Yankees legend) who performed with his band, Aaron Boone (NY Yankees manager), Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury, point guard), Landon Collins (NY Giants, safety), Brandon Nimmo (NY Mets, outfielder), Mike Richter (NY Rangers legend) and LaLa Anthony (actress, producer), were among those who attended the evening’s festivities. All guests wore traditional black-tie attire while sporting their favorite pair of sneakers.
The Foot Locker Foundation is the charitable arm of Foot Locker Inc., a specialty athletic retailer that operates approximately 3,270 stores in 25 countries in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Over the years, the Foot Locker Foundation has developed significant partnerships and programs to improve and enrich the educational, health and sports opportunities for young people across the country and has awarded over 1,000 scholarships to outstanding students through all of its programs. In total, On Our Feet has raised more than $19 million since its inception.
Launched in 2011, the Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program annually awards $20,000 college scholarships to 20 exceptional students who demonstrate academic excellence and exemplify strong leadership skills both in sports and within their communities. In addition, one of the 20 students selected will be awarded the Ken C. Hicks Scholarship in honor of the organization’s former chairman and CEO and will receive an additional $5,000 for exemplifying superior academic achievement, personal passion and a true love of the game. Students can apply online or be nominated by teachers, coaches, mentors, family or friends by visiting footlockerscholarathletes.com. Applications close December 14, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. (EST).
Top image (l-r, Brandon Nimmo, Bernie Williams, Diana Taurasi, Mike Richter) courtesy Foot Locker
