DownEast Home & Clothing
Gives Back
Utah-Headquartered Retailer Renews Annual Philanthropic Plans to
Continue Contributions, Stay Involved with Global and Local Communities
SALT LAKE
CITY (January 25, 2011) –
For high-style, low-price retailer DownEast Home & Clothing,
giving back to the community, both locally and globally, is as much a part of
business as passing along everyday savings and value to its customers. In 2010,
the retailer made significant donations to organizations like Needs Beyond
Medicine and CHOICE Humanitarian, in addition to organizing fundraisers and
contributing staff time and merchandise to such philanthropic initiatives as an
orphanage construction project in Haiti, the PINK Half Marathon to support
breast cancer awareness and research, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Utah Museum
of Fine Arts, a scholarship for the visually impaired at Brigham Young
University, and various other university and K-12 school programs. In 2011, the
retailer plans to continue to proactively contribute to the community with
creative programs that will allow customers to also get involved.
“We feel that business and the community are inseparably intertwined,
and the two not only can, but should work together,” said Rich Israelsen, chief
operating officer for DownEast, who was interviewed about the company’s
philanthropic efforts on Good Things Utah. “We
wholeheartedly believe that our efforts to give back to the community make us a
better company. Our staff, as well as our customers who proactively partake in
many of our donation drives, feel as though they’re part of something bigger.
DownEast bases its decisions on what the right thing is to do in a fiscal,
strategic, philosophical and social responsibility sense. And, given our
commitment over the years and our plans to continue serving the community as
part of our corporate mission, we believe that the only right thing to do is to
give back.”
DownEast’s “Live for Pink” promotional event, in support of breast
cancer awareness month in October 2010, allowed customers to support the cause
by purchasing their favorite pink colored DownEast Basics tees and camis at a
special sale price. DownEast contributed 50 percent of the proceeds –
$29,000 – to Needs Beyond Medicine (formerly UCREW), a Utah-based
organization striving to decrease the burden of cancer by increasing awareness,
education, access to screening and support for cancer patients. In the same
month, several members of DownEast’s management and customer service team also
put on their sneakers and ran 13.1 miles as part of the first annual PINK Half Marathon, held in Park City, Utah. A key event
sponsor, DownEast helped launch the event and exceeded the goal of having over
350 women race together in support of breast cancer awareness.
The corporate environment at DownEast is one that fosters employee
support of community causes, evident not only in employees partaking in local
events like the Park City marathon, but also in their willingness to travel
globally to support initiatives like CHOICE Humanitarian, to which
DownEast donated $35,000 in 2010. In operation for 28 years, CHOICE Humanitarian is a non-profit
organization that currently works in five countries throughout the world,
helping to end poverty by focusing on sustainable rural village development. As
a CHOICE Humanitarian corporate partner, DownEast currently works with the
Chirixquitzac village in the mountainous Polochic region of Guatemala, helping
to build a water system that will bring water directly into villagers’
households for the very first time.
As Chelsi Smith, a regional manager for
DownEast wrote in a July 2010 blog posting about the company’s involvement: “Employees are
supporting this work through a voluntary donation program that is matched by
DownEast. In the past year, $20,000 has been raised to build the water system
and to fund other smaller projects. But our support doesn’t end there. In June,
five DownEast employees – myself included – and one family member
made the trek to the Chirixquitzac village itself, where we had hands-on
involvement in breaking ground on the water system’s construction. For a week,
we rolled up our sleeves and worked alongside the villagers and local CHOICE
leaders to dig trenches that will carry precious water. Once completed, the
duct system will eliminate the need for villagers to transport water to their
homes, often a distance of a half-mile or more.”
In addition to corporate flagship philanthropic partners like Needs
Beyond Medicine and CHOICE Humanitarian, DownEast is a proactive responder to
the global community’s needs following natural disasters. Bill Freedman, VP at
DownEast, blogged about the opportunity the
company had to contribute $11,000 – through employee and corporate
donations – to support the Utah Flash Family Foundation’s initiative to
rebuild a rural orphanage on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, following
the earthquake in early 2010.
DownEast’s contributions to the
community are a staple not only in its corporate history, but also as the
company continues to expand and open new retail locations.
“We look forward to continuing to give
back to a community that has so generously embraced our business,” said
Israelsen. “Our plans in 2011 are to continue to dedicate ourselves to the
spirit of giving back, and to make this the most notable year to date in
meeting the high goals our team has set to help make a difference in the world.”
About DownEast Home & Clothing
DownEast Home & Clothing (www.downeasthome.com), a leader
in stylish and affordable apparel, home furnishings and accessories, believes
that shopping should be a fun, guilt-free experience. Founded in 1991 and still
family-owned and operated, DownEast continues its goal of bringing customers
the very best merchandise including modest clothing – from
national brands to its own DownEast Basics apparel – at the very best prices.
The DownEast Basics clothing line features smart layering pieces and
wardrobe enhancing garments so you can embrace the American classic look with
your own sense of style.
Shop for cute tops, modest dresses and accessories for women and girls at
DowneastBasics.com.
The fast-growing retailer operates nationally with its Basics line via
its online store in addition to 41 locations throughout the West including
Utah, California, Idaho, Arizona, Washington, Nevada and Wyoming.
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DownEast Media Contact:
Kathy Cabrera
770-569-8221
