The Foot Locker Foundation joined together a diverse and star-studded set of athletic industry members for its 16th annual “On Our Feet” fundraising gala. The event, which took place on Tuesday, October 18 at New York City’s Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers, will benefit educational and other youth initiatives supported by the Foot Locker Foundation.
“As a company, we have a responsibility to give back, and that’s why we’ve made Community one of our core values,” said Dick Johnson, chairman and chief executive officer, Foot Locker Inc. “We believe that education is critical to being successful. This signature event fuels our ability to provide funding for programs such as The Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program and our long-standing scholarship with UNCF, and allows remarkable student athletes to develop great skills, expand their horizons and become future leaders across the globe.”
Executives from the sports industry, professional athletes and celebrities joined athletic footwear and apparel companies including Nike, Converse, Adidas, Puma and Under Armour, to name a few, to lend their support to this important cause. Celebrity guests, including Victor Cruz (NY Giants), Matt Forté (NY Jets), Chazz Palminteri (Actor), Aly Raisman (Olympic Gold Medalist), Walt “Clyde” Frazier (NBA Legend) and Brook Lopez (Brooklyn Nets) 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 Inc. is the charitable arm of Foot Locker Inc., a specialty athletic retailer that operates approximately 3,400 stores in 23 countries in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Over the years, the Foot Locker Foundation Inc. has developed partnerships and programs to improve and enrich the educational, health and sports opportunities for youth across the country, and has awarded more than 900 scholarships to outstanding students through all of its programs. On Our Feet has raised more than $17 million to support youth since its inception.
Launched in 2011, the Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program each year 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 will be awarded the Ken C. Hicks Scholarship in honor of the organization’s former chairman and CEO, who played an instrumental role in the development of the program. The scholarship recipient will receive additional funding for exemplifying elevated 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 16, 2016 at 5 p.m. EST.
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization.
Photo courtesy Foot Locker
