With more than 15 million pairs of new shoes donated to kids in need since 2011, the BOBS from Skechers movement continues to aid disaster-impacted families through its charitable shoe program. Beginning this month, the company plans to distribute thousands of pairs of new shoes to Hurricane Dorian victims in the Bahamas and Storm Imelda-affected families in Houston.
Together with its donation partner Soles4Souls, the Company will ship more than 2,000 pairs of BOBS donation shoes to Nassau; charity organizations Women Supporting Women and Urban Renewal will initially distribute 1,080 shoes to displaced victims of Hurricane Dorian this month, with more distributions anticipated in early 2020. Skechers and Soles4Souls also plan to send more than 2,000 pairs of BOBS donation shoes to the organization Communities in Schools of Houston to support the region’s families during the holiday season, as well as in the new year based on need.
“Through our relief efforts for previous disasters like Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, we understand how challenging it can be to connect with victims when a community’s infrastructure is so deeply impacted—and how crucial it is that we continue to offer support to these affected areas months after the media spotlight dims,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “Healing a community is not a sprint, it’s a marathon—and we are doing what we can to help thousands of these families in the months to come. Although we can’t provide shoes for every disaster, we aim to do so for as many as possible, exploring ways to support other communities as they are impacted.”
Skechers has donated new shoes to children affected by poverty, homelessness and natural disasters in more than 60 countries—from the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 and Haiti’s 2010 earthquake; to Superstorm Sandy; Hurricanes Katrina, Harvey, Irma and Maria; and the 2018 fires in California. The Company most recently donated thousands of shoes to children in need at back-to-school events in Miami and Milwaukee.
Along with its philanthropic efforts for children, the Company also partners with Petco Foundation to help animals nationwide through sales of BOBS from Skechers shoes, apparel and accessories. Since 2015, Skechers has donated more than $4.23 million to animal welfare organizations—funds that have helped more than 750,000 pets in the United States, including more than 396,000 dogs and cats saved through adoptions.
