PlanetShoes and New Balance Donated More Than $19,000 Worth of Shoes to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay

Waltham, MA, July 30, 2013 /3BL Media/ - Volunteers from PlanetShoes and New Balance distributed shoes to the “Littles” at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay’s summer outing on Saturday, July 27th at Jamaica Plain’s Southwest Corridor Park. More than 300 children benefited from the shoe donation.

“PlanetShoes is honored to partner with New Balance to make a donation of this scale to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay,” said Phil Meynard, President of PlanetShoes. “Their service to the Boston community is invaluable and we’re incredibly happy to support another local organization.”

“New Balance is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles for children and adults in our local communities,” says Megan Bloch, charitable programs manager for New Balance. “In addition to fitting the Littles with new sneakers, New Balance associates played games and participated in other fun activities with kids at Saturday’s event. Through our New Balance Community Connection volunteer program, these associates embody one of our core values of giving back by volunteering with important organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay.”

“On behalf of our organization and all our Littles who received this generous gift, we thank PlanetShoes and New Balance,” said Deborah Krause, VP External Relations and Community Engagement and Community Management, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay. “We hope others will be inspired by these organizations’ contributions to the community, and will consider what they can do to help—including becoming a mentor.”

About PlanetShoes.com: 
PlanetShoes is an innovative online lifestyle retailer committed to helping people live healthier, more eco-friendly lives. The first in the industry to offer a CarbonFree® shipping alternative, PlanetShoes specializes in products that blend function, style, comfort and value with eco-ethics. The company proudly offers a wide selection of shoes, bags, and other accessories from more than 190 brands.

About New Balance: 
New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA has the following mission: Demonstrating responsible leadership, we build global brands that athletes are proud to wear, associates are proud to create and communities are proud to host. New Balance is currently the only athletic shoe company that manufactures footwear in the U.S. with 25% of our U.S. footwear shipments produced at five New England facilities. The company also operates a manufacturing facility in Flimby, U.K. New Balance employs more than 4,000 associates around the globe, and in 2012 reported worldwide sales of $2.39 billion. To learn more about how New Balance Makes Excellent Happen, please visit http://www.newbalance.com

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay: 
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay is a fresh, innovative, energetic organization that is making a real difference in the lives of more than 1,800 youth by providing them with an invested, caring adult mentor. With research and proven outcomes at its core, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay is working to ensure every child has the support from caring adults that they need for healthy development and success in life. The organization’s vision is to inspire, engage and transform communities in Massachusetts Bay by helping youth achieve their full potential, contributing to healthier families, better schools, brighter futures and stronger communities. For more information about this worthwhile cause and its important mission, visit http://www.bbbsmb.org.