Annual Dinner and Auction Raises $2.3 Million
“It was a tremendous night, filled with energy and fun for our entire footwear community,” saidNeal Newman, president of Two Ten Footwear Foundation. The 74th annual dinner and auction chaired by Tim Belk, Belk, Inc., held December 4th at the Marriott Marquis Times Square in New York, brought together over 1400 footwear executives and raised a record-breaking $2.3 million for Two Ten’s relief efforts.
This year, Joe Ouaknine, CEO of Titan Industries was presented with the A.A. Bloom Award for his unwavering commitment to furthering the “shoepeople helping shoepeople” mission of Two Ten; and Mandy Cabot, co-founder, president and CEO of Dansko who received the T. Kenyon Holly Award for outstanding humanitarian achievements.
In her acceptance speech, Mandy Cabot remarked, “To me, Two Ten is a place where we can connect as colleagues, not competitors; to strengthen and celebrate our footwear community. No other industry supports its members the way Two Ten does-as a springboard in good times, and as a safety net in bad times.”
Over the past year, Two Ten:
- Distributed $1.8 million to 2000 footwear families in crisis, a 31% increase in emergency relief dollars over the previous year.
- Awarded $750,000 in higher education and professional development scholarships to members of the footwear community.
- United 68 footwear companies and over 3,000 footwear volunteers across the country in a first-ever, industry-wide community service program, Footwear Cares®.
- Launched the Footwear Warriors Scholarship Fund, an endowed scholarship fund earmarked for U.S. Veterans returning to the workforce after serving the country.
- Hosted dozens of networking and development events, including career affinity groups, conferences, mentoring programs and special events.
- Provided counseling and referrals to local community resources for footwear families requiring assistance.To see video and photos from the dinner and auction or for additional information about Two Ten Footwear Foundation initiatives, please visit www.twoten.org.
Meet the Two Ten Team – John Meisenbach – Intake Specialist
John Meisenbach is one of the newer members of the Two Ten social services team but his experience, talent and compassion for the people we help, make him vital to our mission. “John is a wonderful addition to the Two Ten team. He’s 110% committed to helping every shoe person when they call us. The footwear community is lucky to have John at Two Ten.” says Neal Newman, Two Ten President.
Growing up, John volunteered at his father’s church in Tampa Florida and developed a strong understanding of how important it is to give back to his community. “Volunteerism was always a huge part of my life so a career in social services came naturally,” said John. After 11 years managing an established Meals-on-Wheels program in Florida, he decided it was time for a change and headed north to accept a position with Two Ten this past Spring and we could not be more excited to have him.
He brings with him a lifetime committed to the betterment of the human condition and an appreciation for the impact he can have on the lives of so many through his work at Two Ten. “John has a gift of making people feel at ease during a difficult time by bringing both kindness and professionalism to the conversation,” says Kate Alley, Program Director, Social Services & Scholarships at Two Ten. “I have always loved listening to people, giving them emotional comfort in times of crisis; but at Two Ten I know I can also help with a check and provide a little breathing room when they need it most,” says John. “It’s what we do; give people that bridge to help them move on with their lives.”
Amazon Fashion, National Sponsor of Footwear Cares Month, April 2014
“No one can deny the footwear industry has a caring and generous heart,” says Blake Krueger, Two Ten Chairman. In 2013, over 3000 volunteers from 68 footwear companies joined together for a first-ever, industry-wide volunteer blitz across 15 states during the third week of April – the only one of its kind in the Unites States. In that one week, footwear volunteers:
- Sorted 123,000 meals at foodbanks.
- Dedicated 384 man-hours to the continuing Super Storm Sandy clean up
- Provided 100 man-hours of natural park land clearing to improve forest health and wildlife
- Cleaned up 120 acres of community parks
This year, with the support of our title sponsor Amazon Fashion, Two Ten will expand Footwear Cares to the entire month of April, involving over 100 footwear companies and over 5,000 footwear volunteers, who will come together and donate time and talents at local food banks, schools, community centers and environmental groups.
Footwear Cares 2014 is co-chaired by Scott Briggs (Wolverine/Keds) and Jeanne Markel(Zappos/Downtown Project).
Please join us for what will undoubtedly be a month to remember.
To find out more, contact Maureen Lederhos at Two Ten.
Colorado Flooding
“Just knowing that someone outside the chaos cares, made all the difference in the world,” said Dan Laska, a Crocs employee, who’s home was damaged in the recent flooding that left many Colorado residents homeless. Months after the storm, national attention has faded but the devastation remains, as the footwear industry rallies to provide crisis relief for shoepeople in need.
The small town of Lyons, CO. was just one of many towns devastated by the storm that dropped ten inches of rain on the region in 24 hours. “The river has moved 200 yards south, we have no power, gas, sewage treatment or water,” said Dan, who along with many of his co-workers were able to receive help from Two Ten, enabling them to find safe, dry accommodations while planning the next step. “I can’t tell you how much [Two Ten’s} quick response meant to me. Your offer was HUGE at a time when uncertainly was the norm.”
A good portion of the funds used to support the many shoepeople effected by the flood, came from the footwear community. Shoe Carnival and The Jay Group raised over $10,000 through generous employee giving campaigns organized by each company. These donations continue to help families put their lives back together in the wake of this disaster. Please donate to the cause and help shoepeople in need.
Two Ten Professional Development – Boardroom Rockstars
“Our enrollees leave with a jam packed tool belt and a solid understanding of how to drive their business forward” says Boardroom Rockstars creator and lead instructor, Shawn Ward. The next one-week boot camp for driven entrepreneurs in footwear and fashion kicks off on January 20th.You save yourself 25% on the cost of the course if you sign up using code “TwoTen” and Shawn will donate another $250 to Two Ten. A generous gift that will help shoepeople in need this winter.
Shawn Ward knows how to build a successful business that caters to a niche consumer and is anxious to share his knowledge and vast support network with passionate entrepreneurs. “You can only get so far without a guide, before you risk getting lost,” says Shawn. “The One Week Boot Camp is the perfect place to learn everything you need to launch and sustain a successful business.”
The course is designed around a working lifestyle. Classes run from 7pm-9pm during the week and 10am – 2pm on the weekend so you don’t have to leave your day job to make the jump.; Shawn is joined by eight instructors who have all started successful brands and bring different perspectives from real life experiences.
This amazing opportunity can change your life and the future of your business. Take advantage of the knowledge and the discount by signing up today.
WIFI Mentoring
Based on the results of a recent survey taken by WIFI mentors and mentees, it’s clear that the need for mentoring has never been stronger. When asked about the strength of the WIFI Mentoring Program, a strong majority of the survey participants remarked that the program has far exceeded their expectations. To learn more information about the mentoring program, or to submit an application to participate, click here. Applications are due by January 31st.
If you are unable to participate in the WIFI Mentoring Program, but would still like to support it,please consider a donation “in honor of” WIFI Mentoring.WIFI is a national network of footwear women who share a passion for our industry, their careers in footwear and our entire community. WIFI has chapters across the United States and is Chaired by Carol Baiocchi, SVP-DMM Kohl’s, and Diane Sullivan, President and CEO Brown Shoe Co. and Vice-Chair of the Two Ten Footwear Foundation.
