Feetures, a performance sock brand, continued its mission to inspire healthy lifestyles by partnering with Charlotte-based non-profit Let Me Run.
The seven-week running program, led by trained coaches from the community, is designed to help pre-teen and teenage boys learn teamwork, build relationship skills and self-esteem and empower themselves and others to live active lives.
In addition to Let Me Run, Feetures is a sponsor of Kids Run the Nation, which enabled the organization to increase their grant capabilities in 2016 by 50 percent, allowing for grants to be awarded to an additional 10-15 deserving youth running programs.
Feetures is a family-run business based in Charlotte, NC. Founder Hugh Gaither and his two sons, John and Joe, are all active runners and Charlotte locals. “We felt that Let Me Run was just in line with our company’s values of supporting kids programs and getting them active,” says Joe Gaither, Feetures director of marketing. “As a product of the Charlotte community, it was a natural fit to give back to a group that is doing so much for the youth of Charlotte.”
Ashley Armistead, founder of Let Me Run, echoed the sentiments: “Feetures and Let Me Run share common threads in our missions. We both want to see people achieving healthy, active lifestyles and living their personal best. To have the support of a company that has such a stellar reputation for quality and teamwork allows us to further spread our mission and ultimately partner in creating a more peaceful and productive world.”
Let Me Run was founded in 2008 by Armistead, after the births of her two sons. “As a mother, I learned that boys are told to ‘man up’ and hide their emotions.” Eager for her boys to have a safe space where they could be themselves, be active and belong, Armistead created Let Me Run. “I knew that exponential growth was possible for Let Me Run if we could bring to light that boys are empathetic and caring, with a strong desire for fairness and justice, because of the value that adds to society.”
Since the program’s inception in 2008, Let Me Run has coached more than 13,000 boys in 23 different states. As part of the sponsorship, Feetures will provide product for all Let Me Run regions. To learn more about Let Me Run and how you can get involved in your local community, visit letmerun.org.
Photo courtesy Feetures
