Timberland Puts Samples to Good Use
Timberland employees recently lined-up outside the doors of our largest conference room to purchase manufacturing samples of footwear, apparel, and accessories from the 2017 line—but this wasn’t your average sample sale. At this sample sale, employees not only score great product at a great price, but all proceeds benefit a local non-profit organization. This highly anticipated event is close to the heart of many employees, and is a creative way to put manufacturing samples to good use.
The sample sale typically raises at least $10,000, but this year we raised a remarkable $29,345 to benefit Lucy’s Love Bus—a Boston-based non-profit that provides funding for integrative therapies to children with cancer. Employees and their guests came out in record numbers with over 300 in attendance. The funds raised for Lucy’s Love Bus will allow the organization to add four new Healing Rooms at children’s hospitals across New England.
I will admit, the scene can be a bit chaotic—with our largest room filled with shoes, winter jackets, backpacks, and accessories. It’s often easy to spot the new employees standing wide-eyed on the side of the room with their shopping bag trying to take in the scene, while experienced veterans peruse the racks of shoes and clothes.
Having run the sample sales in this way for the last 4 years, I’ve watched them grow in popularity with the Timberland employees as they have become increasingly invested in selecting the non-profit partner. With the employees at the helm of determining who benefits from the sale’s proceeds, many generously open their wallets for more than just the ultra-affordable manufacturing samples.
It’s days like the sample sale that make me proud to be a part of an organization that continually finds innovative ways to benefit the community in which I live and work. Watching employees get excited about giving back is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job—and it happens more often than just at the sample sale. Each year, employees spend their time out in the Victory Garden, growing and selling produce to benefit a local food-bank. In addition, many employees use all 40 of their paid community service hours, through our Path to Service ™ program, to make a difference in their local community. Even further, nearly all our employees participate in our Earth Day and Serv-a-palooza service events to benefit local non-profits by giving both their time and effort. There’s no doubt about it—Timberland employees take their service seriously.
About the author: Jill Holt is the coordinator of community engagement for the global outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland, headquartered in Stratham, New Hampshire. Jill is a dedicated volunteer herself who enjoys helping others find new ways to serve that speak to their passions.
