Etnies, the skateboard footwear and apparel brand, and Autism Speaks, North America”s largest autism science and advocacy organization, announced a new partnership. The organizations will team up and create co-branded kid's RVM and Fader shoes, which will be available in stores for spring 2011, in an effort to increase awareness and raise funds for autism research.
Etnies said it has always given back to the community, and friends recently opened the brand's eyes to the increase of people on the autism spectrum. Autism prevalence has risen 600% in the last two decades. Today, one in every 110 American children has an autism spectrum disorder.
“We are impressed by the great strides in funding autism research, developing resources and treatments Autism Speaks has made in its first five years,” said Don Brown, senior VP of marketing for Etnies. “Etnies is proud to support Autism Speaks, and looks forward to showing kids on the autism spectrum the action sports Etnies is all about. With these shoes, we're helping Autism Speaks take its next step towards finding the answers of autism.”
A portion of the proceeds of the Etnies x Autism Speaks Fader and RVM kid's shoes sold, with a minimum of $10,000 per year, will be donated to Autism Speaks.
“We are thrilled that Etnies has decided to support Autism Speaks to increase autism awareness,” said Suzanne Wright, Co-founder of Autism Speaks.”The support of Etnies will help Autism Speaks continue to fund research aimed at unraveling the mysteries of autism and helping those families who are affected by this complicated and often misunderstood disorder.”
