New Balance Donates Sneakers to BJC Home Care Employees
Monday, July 06, 2020
New Balance, one of the world’s major sports footwear and apparel manufacturers, recently donated 500 pairs of sneakers to frontline caregivers through The Foundation for BJC Home Care (a dba of The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital). BJC Home Care provides compassionate care for patients of all ages in more than 25 counties in Missouri and Illinois who need comprehensive services in their homes, including home health, infusion, home medical equipment, therapy, palliative home care and specialized hospice services.
“Staff members were excited to receive such a generous gift, says Teresa Holstein, BSN, RN, CHPN, director of BJC Hospice. “I’ve seen many, many New Balance shoes throughout the offices over the last month. We are so grateful that New Balance recognized our BJC Home Care heroes with this gift!”
The shoes were distributed in June to frontline workers throughout the BJC Home Care system, which includes Evelyn’s House, the hospice facility in Creve Coeur.
Due to the limited number of shoes per size, BJC Home Care decided to hold a raffle to determine the recipients. When the winners were announced, they were asked to take photos of their shoes to thank New Balance for the footwear. Many included notes with their pictures.
“Please thank New Balance as these are by far the MOST comfortable shoes I have ever worn,” a home health social worker writes. “I am buying New Balance from now on!!! Thank you so much!!!
“We both absolutely LOVE them!! They’re so comfortable!!!,” says a message from two hospice nurses. “Would definitely buy them but so appreciate this generous and loving gift.”
The donation from Boston-based New Balance is part of a larger distribution of more than 13,000 pairs that were given to hospitals in the New England area and St. Louis, the locations where the sportswear brand has corporate operations.
Chris Davis, vice president of Global Marketing for New Balance, says in a press release that the company is proud and humbled to show its immense appreciation to those sacrificing so much during the COVID-19 crisis. “We are thankful to provide footwear to medical institutions in our communities and to help keep those working on the front lines comfortable.”