Charity and Goodwill

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Yoobi


Give back to teachers and classrooms this back-to-school season.

Yoobi, pronounced “you-be,” means “one for you, one for me.” This dynamic new school supply brand makes colorful, vibrant tools to spark learning and creativity, while also giving back.

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For each Yoobi item purchased, the company donates additional Yoobi merchandise to a classroom in need, right here in the U.S. –helping to solve a very big problem: With at least 92% of teachers spending their own money on classroom materials and parents struggling to cover the average $635.00 back to school shopping bill, Yoobi hopes to  reach 30,000 classrooms and 750,000 kids by 2015!

Watch their story below to see how:

The idea from Yoobi comes from co-founder and CEO Ido Leffler, who is inspired to give new inspiration, not only to the school supply isle, but to so many classrooms in need of school supplies -a fundamental issue for students and teachers nationwide. For the launch of Yoobi in June, the company contributed an item to a Classroom Pack, which contains essential school supplies, for every Yoobi item purchased. Together with the Kids In Need Foundation, a national nonprofit, Yoobi identified U.S. schools with students who have the greatest need for school supplies to receive the Classroom Packs. Yoobi initially focused on distributing Classroom Packs to the youngest students, K-3rd grade classrooms, because ensuring access to supplies at an early age has the most impact on academic potential.

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Adding a fresh pop of color and personality to an aisle that hasn’t been updated in years, Yoobi offers more than 80 different items, from pens to journals and highlighters, all available exclusively at Target, retailing for under $10.

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Eighth Annual Women In Industry Luncheon


K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers, Inc. honors Celeste Gudas, 24 Seven Inc.; Deidre Quinn, Lafayette 148 New York and Patti Buckner, Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers, Inc. is committed to being a change agent in our communities. Working closely with businesses and community organizations is essential to our goal of making a difference in the lives of people in need. We are proud to recognize our honorees who share that vision and congratulate them all on this well-deserved award.

– K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers co-chairman Gary Simmons

K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers, Inc., the newly merged non-profit organization that has provided more than $1 billion in new product donations to individuals and families affected by poverty and tragedy, recognized three top leaders from fashion, real estate and entertainment at the Eighth Annual Women In Industry Luncheon (WIIL) June 3 at The Pierre Hotel in New York.

New York television personality Jessica Abo again served as mistress of ceremonies at the fundraiser event to honor Celeste Gudas, CEO and founder of 24 Seven Inc., a prominent executive search firm; Deidre Quinn, president and co-founder of Lafayette 148 New York, a leading fashion design company; and Patti Buckner, a vice president in the Apparel & Accessories, Licensing Division at Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

As our first major event post-merger, we are very happy to share this historic moment with these three inspirational women who are undeniably leaders in their field,” said “Their stories prove that real success is founded on not only excellence in business or breaking glass ceilings, but also on the kindness and generosity of helping others.”

 -K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers co-chairman Allan Ellinger

 

Photo caption: Honorees Deirdre Quinn, Patti Buckner and Celeste Gudas

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Bombas Kids Indiegogo Campaign


Bombas are engineered and designed to look better and feel better, with a mission to help those in need.

052114_CRTPost_BombasSocks_LogoBombas men’s/women’s sock collection launched on crowdfunding site Indiegogo in August 2013 and remains the #1 most funded apparel brand in Indigogo history. After listening to feedback from supporters, Bombas once again turns to Indiegogo to bring these amazing socks to the feet of kids everywhere, helping to further their mission –and with just 10 days left, Bomba Socks’ new kid’s collection campaign* is definitely making a run at outperforming the original campaign!

052114_CRTPost_BombasSocks_01The Bombas line of bold athletic-leisure socks are great for kids, with bright color, a comfortable design and promise of a Bombas Growth Guarantee – if kids wear through the socks or they outgrow them within a year, Bombas will send another pair for free!

With the knowledge that socks are the #1 most requested item in homeless shelters, for every pair purchased, Bombas donates a pair to someone in need … that’s 70,000+ pairs to date!

Watch the kid’s campaign video and see how the company set out to rethink an everyday product in a totally advanced way, building them with purpose for athletic performance and designed for extreme leisure.

052114_CRTPost_BombasSocks_BeeBee Better. The word bombas is derived from the Latin word for bumblebee. “Bee Better” is the company’s mantra, stitched inside every pair as a reminder to push harder and be better at your athletic pursuits; that you helped someone in need with your purchase; that we’re all connected and little improvements can add up to make a big difference.

*campaign closes May 30, 2014

K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers, Inc.


Kids In Distressed Situations and Fashion Delivers merge to better serve people in need.

043014_CRTPost_KIDSFashionDelivers_LogoKids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) and Fashion Delivers Charitable Foundation, Inc., both U.S.-based nonprofits with a global reach, were founded to secure donations of excess new product from manufacturers and retailers to provide relief for people in need. Now, these two organizations have joined forces to create K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers, Inc., with a new website named as a call to action that emphasizes the mission, www.DonateProduct.com.

We are very pleased that the merger is completed, maximizing the benefits of our consolidation with strengthened resources and, most importantly, our ability to serve families, kids and adults in need.

-Co-Chairmen Allan Ellinger and Gary Simmons

K.I.D.S. was founded in 1985 by children’s industry executives, and in 2005 Fashion Delivers was created by adult apparel and home fashions professionals to serve similar purposes.

Moving donations of new apparel, home fashions, toys, books and other items is a huge effort. Cash donations and other financial support help pay for programs, logistics, coordination and transportation costs so that new product reaches the people who need it most. While the organizations’ work in natural disasters has attracted the most attention, fighting poverty is a daily mission. Together, they have delivered over $1 billion of new product and efficiently operate with less than 3% overhead.

Confronting poverty that robs an individual of their dignity. “Roughly 50 million people in the U.S. live in poverty, including seven million families,” Mr. Simmons says. “K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers brings together a diverse network of more than 1,000 community partners and 390 donors throughout the 50 states and the world to distribute donated product. Connecting these local, on-the-ground agencies with donated product given by some of the most recognizable brands in fashion, footwear, toys, home and juvenile product allows us to provide hope and dignity to families and individuals facing these challenges.”

K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers also introduce Joel Newman, former COO of Kenneth Cole and Tommy Hilfiger, as president for an interim period. “Joel has extensive senior management experience in the retail and wholesale industry as well as experience with non-profit organizations,” Mr. Ellinger says. “He will initially concentrate on fine tuning strategy and organizational development and will also participate in the search for a permanent president.”

With the merger of K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers complete, Denise Durham Williams, former Executive Director of K.I.D.S., has resigned to pursue other opportunities in direct-service nonprofit work. “We want to thank Denise for her efforts, particularly her work on the merger. We wish her every success in her future endeavors,” says Mr. Ellinger.

Robeez® Buy One Give One Sock Event


The Original Soft Sole brand partners with K.I.D.S. this month on a fabulous giving campaign.

Throughout April, Robeez, beloved maker of the industry-leading Original Soft-Sole pre-walker, is partnering with the equally beloved charitable organization K.I.D.S. (Kids in Distressed Situations) on a spring giving campaign. Right now, for every pair of Robeez socks purchased* at MyRobeez.com, a new pair of socks will be donated to Head Start –the federal government program that promotes school readiness in children ages birth to five from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social and emotional development.

Robeez and K.I.D.S. are committed to underserved children with a variety of needs, especially lack of shoes and clothing, and we are dedicated to helping the children of Head Start in any way possible, and hope to do so by starting with a simple pair of new socks.

–David McCubbin, President of McCubbin Hosiery, a Robeez licensee

041714_CRTPost_Robeez_webpage*The Buy One, Give One Sock Campaign runs until April 30 on MyRobeez.com and is expected to donate at least 1,000 new Robeez socks to Head Start through K.I.D.S.

Robeez was founded in 1994 and offers fun, whimsical footwear and hosiery with functional support for tiny feet. New York, NY-based K.I.D.S. provides new clothes, shoes, toys and books to families in underserved communities, an ideal partner for Robeez on this event.

We are so grateful for this wonderful donation program of Robeez socks from McCubbin Hosiery. Socks are one of the most requested items for donation among the many community charities with which we work. The support for low-income children in Head Start programs is especially important given the challenges faced by the families of these kids.

–Donna Charles, K.I.D.S. CEO

Annual Gala Raises $1.4 Million


The event celebrated the fashion industry’s efforts to provide families and children in need with supplies and goods, in partnership with K.I.D.S. and Fashion Delivers.

Eight hundred fashion leaders joined Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) and Fashion Delivers for the annual fundraising gala, raising $1.4 million and several hundred thousand dollars in product donations.

This year’s gala celebrates the growing collaboration between K.I.D.S. and Fashion Delivers as we reach new levels of impact, helping families affected by these challenging times. This is especially important following recent natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy, the Oklahoma tornadoes, and the Colorado floods.

– Kevin Burke, K.I.D.S. Chairman of the Board

Recently held at Chelsea Piers in New York and hosted by celebrated film and television actress/producer Vivica A. Fox, this year’s honorees included Brendan Hoffman, President and CEO, The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.; Peter Comisar, Vice Chairman, Investment Banking, Guggenheim Partners; Robert Campbell, Chairman and CEO, BBC International LLC; and Daisy Fuentes, fashion entrepreneur and television personality.

112613_KIDS_01“I’ve often said that we don’t work within just an industry,” says Allan Ellinger, Chairman of the Board of Fashion Delivers. “Ours is a community that gives back to help people in need, people who are sick, students seeking professional support and many other worthy causes.”

K.I.D.S. and Fashion Delivers help fight the consequences of poverty by delivering hope and a brighter future through the gift of new product. The two charities solicit excess merchandise from companies that make and market home furnishings for children and adults. To date, over $1 billion of donated goods have been distributed through a network of more than 1,000 community charities serving the poor and disadvantaged worldwide.

Photo, left to right: Denise Durham Williams, K.I.D.S. President; Allan Ellinger, Fashion Delivers Board Chairman; honoree Robert Campbell, Chairman and CEO, BBC International LLC; Kevin Burke, K.I.D.S. Board Chairman; Honorees Daisy Fuentes; Brendan Hoffman, President & CEO, the Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.; Peter H. Comisar, Vice Chairman, Investment Banking, Guggenheim Partners; Vivica A. Fox, gala host

My Lanyard Maker


Helps kids create the easiest lanyards ever – weave it to believe it!

Recently, the Choose Friendship Company débuted the new My Lanyard Maker on popular shopping site HSN –with great applause!

112113_ChooseFriendship_04Whether you grew up calling them lanyards, scoubidou, boondoggle or plastic gimp, this all-American arts and crafts favorite makes making them easier than ever. My Lanyard Maker’s innovative loom is designed to create an endless variety of patterns, without tangling laces and confusing knots. Convenient storage keeps colorful supplies neat and clean, too.

112113_ChooseFriendship_01Fun Gift Idea. Popular with the boys as well as the girls, kids can design colorful plastic bracelets, tradable key rings and backpack charms with My Lanyard Maker –great holiday fun!

112113_ChooseFriendship_03The Choose Friendship Company is the brainchild of David Crorey, who’s philosophy is, “Give me an everyday problem and I’ll invent a solution.” He invented the My Friendship Bracelet Maker® for this granddaughters, so they could make friendship bracelets with ease – a patented innovation.

112113_ChooseFriendship_02Now, David has turned a family business into a global sensation, bringing even more innovation to simple crafting techniques with an expanding product line to engage kids in creative self expression, while promoting the message of friendship.

The Honest Company


111413_HonestCompany_logoWhat you may notice first about The Honest Company is that celebrity mom and actress Jessica Alba is the founder.

When I became a mom, I finally became the person I am, that I always should have been. It’s the most satisfying job in the world. But, it can also be overwhelming and confusing. I created The Honest Company to help moms and to give all children a better, safer start.

Compassionate Collaboration. What you may not realize is Jessica’s co-founder and chief product officer is Christopher Gavigan, father of three and former CEO of Healthy Child Healthy World (a national nonprofit empowering parents to protect their children from toxic risks), author of a best-selling book and instrumental in educating people through a collaboration with WebMD.

The two make diapers, wipes and baby products, bath and body essentials, cleaning products and vitamins for babies and homes that are effective, safe, eco-friendly, beautiful, convenient and affordable. Not to mention good for babies and families alike. HONEST!

111413_HonestCompany_productsBundled for Brilliance. The growing product line is also available in groupings or bundles, where the merchandise can be customized, personalized and shipped anywhere. The company also makes things such as free trials, shopping incentives –oh yes and bundle savings- available to its growing list of customers, too.

Healthy, Happy Homes. The Honest Company strives to offer its customers the safest products, the best service and the most useful tools that help create healthier, happier homes. It’s a one-stop-shop for parents to give a better future, not only to their own children, but to kids all over the globe. How? The Honest Company gives back by donating product, money and time to finding solutions for health and social issues affecting children and families.

Little Passports


111213_LittlePassports_packageRaising global citizens right in their own backyards.

Amy Norman says she practically grew up on a 747, traveling back and forth from America to England every three years for her father’s work. So it makes a lot of sense that she would create an educational experience for kids that inspires wanderlust.

Amy is co-founder of Little Passports, a fun way for kids to learn about and enjoy other places and cultures. She and her co-founder Stella Ma dreamed up two engaging characters, Sam and Sofia, who take young aspiring travelers along on their adventures through the United States and to other countries by sharing their experiences with them.

Our products combine the surprise of postal mail with the online games kids love today.

111213_LittlePassports_SamandSophiaWith the subscription-based service, Sam and Sofia send your kids a personalized package in the mail each month that includes an adventure letter, fun souvenirs, stickers, wall-size maps and more. They even get their own passport and a boarding pass to travel the world, with a secret code to access online games and activities at Little Passports’ online Boarding Zone. Everything is designed to encourage kids to take an active interest in their world and other cultures as early as possible – ages five to 12.

111213_LittlePassports_USThis San Francisco-based company is passionate about “helping to raise a generation of citizens who are compassionate about the cultures and people around the world,” donating one percent of sales to non-profits focused on children and issues that affect them.

Amy and Stella are also committed to giving other moms and budding entrepreneurs opportunities to grow businesses with Little Passports. Check them out on the Affiliates and Become an Agent pages.

IMPWEAR


091713_IMPWEAR_03Made by a Mom in Seattle, IMPWEAR introduces an oil cloth collection that’s just right for kids of any age!

Back in 1992, creative Mom Tracy Krauter stared making a line of reversible wear for her three active boys. She called it IMPWEAR and sold what she calls the “quality hand-me-downs” at local street fairs.

Made in the USA. Now, Tracy and her IMPWEAR crew are making aprons, tablecloths, reversible bags and more, made from a versatile oil cloth.

It’s the fabric that excites.

091713_IMPWEAR_01The lightweight fabric has a polyurethane coating that’s BPA-free, PVC-free, phthalate-free and toxin-free, which means it’s not only safe for food, but safe for kids, too. “This ‘oil cloth’ comes in the same zesty prints with irresistible draping and washability,” Tracy says.

091713_IMPWEAR_04Perfect for any kitchen, garden shed or kids playtime, IMWEAR’s oil cloth collection is available online at www.impwear.com, at local shops and market events and wholesale –great for gift shops, catalogs or garden nurseries (I especially like Tracy’s yoga mat bag!).

Giving Back. Tracy was a park ranger in a former life, and believes in the value of untouched wilderness for our kids. In support of her cause, IMPWEAR donates 10% of each sale to non-profit organization Forterra, the largest conservation and community building organization in Washington State, dedicated to protect, enhance and steward the region’s communities and landscapes.