Call it super Tuesday. On Mar. 12, more than 500 Journeys store managers from across the U.S. and Canada will come together to fit approximately 900 Nashville, TN, youth with new shoes at three area community centers. The citywide event is part of the company’s community outreach at its annual global sales conference held in the Music City.
Journeys, a division of Genesco, will fit new Adidas shoes to kindergarten to grade 12 students who are part of the McGruder Family Resource Center, Rocketship Nashville Northeast Elementary and Boys and Girls Club. In addition to the shoe fitting, Journeys employees will take part in United Way’s “Stuff the Bus” initiative, packing 1,200 backpacks for high school students. Others will sort and pack non-perishable foods at the Second Harvest Food Bank, which will be distributed to more than 400 agencies across Middle Tennessee. Those looking to flex their creativity will be at Rocketship Nashville Northeast Elementary painting a 9×20 foot mural.
“It is simply in Journeys’ DNA to service the community that has supported us throughout the years,” states Mario Gallione, president. “We value not only taking the time to connect with the youth of our community, but also giving back through a meaningful donation of our time and resources.”
Journeys prioritizes community outreach as a company, reflected in the various charitable events and volunteer programs it organizes each year, but also encourages employees to get involved on their own by offering eight hours of paid-time-off each year to volunteer for any recognized 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.
Our kids were overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude as they received their sneakers at past Journeys community events. We are thrilled to participate again this year,” says Alisha Haddock, director at C.E. McGruder Family Resource Center. “It is inspiring to see Nashville-based companies like Journeys give back to the community.”
