COSTA MESA, Calif.,
Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/
-- Vans, the original action sports brand and advocate for
creative expression, is bringing the Vans Family together to
rebuild and revitalize communities across the world in honor of
Vans Checkerboard Day on November 18,
2021. This year, Vans will partner with DoSomething.org,
global non-profit whose core competency is driving young people to
take action at scale, to invite fans to participate in local and
digital activations that help build vibrant, inclusive and
rejuvenated public spaces through arts and
culture.
"Research shows that art and creative expression are not only
proven to benefit an individual's academic, physical and mental
well-being, but uplift and improve entire communities, especially
when shared in public spaces," says Doug
Palladini, Vans Global Brand President. "Many of our local
community and public spaces have been somewhat neglected since
March 2020. As a champion for the
power of creativity, we're encouraging Vans fans to join us this
Vans Checkerboard Day in being a part of activities and initiatives
that showcase how creativity truly revitalizes our
communities."
As the brand's single largest philanthropic initiative, Vans
will support 16 charities from around the world who share a
mission of revitalizing public spaces through arts, sports, culture
and social impact programming by donating a
collective $1 million
USD. Each regional organization will receive
$50,000 USD from The Vans
Checkerboard Fund at Tides Foundation or via a direct donation
from Vans to use towards their organization's mission to continue
their work around the world to build vibrant, inclusive, and
welcoming spaces to support their local communities. Additionally,
as the 2021 global partner, DoSomething.org will receive
$250,000 USD as they continue to encourage young
people to act in their communities, with $25,000 USD of this directly benefiting youth
scholarships. This year's recipients are: GoodPush, Groundswell,
Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, Colectivo Tomate, Nations Skate
Youth, Dignity for Children, Another Way of Seeing, ArtDream,
Skateboard Academy, Hackney Bumps, Juju Surf Club, Indigo Youth
Movement, Girls in Film, Jukebox Collective and The Hub.
"Uplifting communities through the power of creativity is a
value shared by Vans and DoSomething's 5 million members," said
DeNora Getachew, Chief Executive
Officer of DoSomething.org. "We're excited to partner with Vans to
activate DoSomething members to join with communities across the
world for Vans Checkerboard Day. Their generous donation will
provide young people with scholarships towards their college,
university, or vocational program's costs. It'll also fuel
DoSomething's civic volunteerism hub through which young people
take action on social issues important to themselves and their
community."
Leading up to November 18,
Vans will rally global fans to participate in a variety of
initiatives focused on getting involved in community action.
Activations include:
- Vans.com/checkerboardday will serve as a directory of
action in partnership with DoSomething.org so fans can join
community events in their local city or participate in a variety of
digital activations.
- The #VansCheckerboardDay TikTok Challenge will share inspiring
community projects, ways to sport your checkerboard pattern and
tips for joining in on the celebration featuring Vans ambassadors
on what community revitalization and creativity means to them.
- On top of the $1 million of
support by Vans, fans across the world will also have the ability
to support the 15 regional charities by helping to raise additional
donations. They can do so through the Vans Family app by
donating loyalty points in support for a monetary donation. 100
percent of proceeds will be donated to The Vans Checkerboard
Fund at Tides Foundation.
Since the inception in 2019, Vans Checkerboard Day has helped
raise more than $2 million for
nonprofits across the world, supporting creativity, mental
wellness, and community engagement. Vans Checkerboard Day is
celebrated annually to bring the Vans ethos of celebrating creative
expression to life globally, rallying internal stakeholders, the
extended Vans family and global consumers to come together around
the world to experience why creativity matters and fund
charities focused on uplifting creativity.
Visit Vans.com/checkerboardday to discover local meetups in
your area, ways to participate in virtual events and activations or
learn more about the participating charities and donate. Fans
can also follow Vans on social media to participate and follow
#VansCheckerboardDay on TikTok to join in.
About Vans
Vans®, a VF
Corporation (NYSE: VFC) brand, is the original action sports
footwear, apparel and accessories
brand. Vans® authentic collections are
sold in 97 countries through a network of subsidiaries,
distributors and international
offices. Vans® has over 2,000 retail
locations globally including owned, concession and partnership
doors. The Vans® brand promotes
creative self-expression in youth culture across action sports,
art, music and street culture, and delivers progressive platforms
such as the Vans Checkerboard Day, Vans Park
Series, Vans Triple Crown of
Surfing®, Vans Custom Culture,
and Vans' cultural hub and international music
venue, House of Vans.
Vans, "Off The Wall" Since '66
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