Now that the wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County are nearly suppressed (firefighters have increased containment percentages to the high 90s, according to USA today), the real work begins. Los Angeles–based footwear brands and retailers have rallied around their communities to help.

California-Based Brands Rally to Help
A Los Angeles–based brand with headquarters not far from the Palisades fires, the horror struck close to home for Seychelles. “It is not lost on us the depth of this tragedy and how very fortunate we are,” offers Seychelles President Diana Hagerman. “As of now, all of our immediate team members’ homes have been spared, however we all know and have friends who’ve been directly affected. It’s been incredibly inspiring to watch the city mobilize and distribute help to those in need.”
For its part, Seychelles has been delivering shoes to groups on the ground working directly with affected communities, an effort management plans to continue in the coming weeks. “We love this city and have always viewed it as our main source of inspiration, and I can only anticipate that sentiment getting stronger as our communities work to rebuild,” Hagerman adds.
Located just north of the city in Newbury Park, CA, Kanner Corporation has donated more than 300 pairs of footwear to Soles4Souls for their collection of relief supplies for those in need. The Nashville-based nonprofit has been delivering new shoes, clothing, and accessories to families who suffered devastating losses. It is still working to raise $25,000 to ensure those items reach affected communities.
Additionally, Skechers continues its commitment to donate $1 million in aid.
Soles4Souls Has Boots on the Ground
Soles4Souls serves as a second-wave responder, assisting individuals in crisis and freeing up financial resources for other needs. Its San Bernardino warehouse, located about 60 miles from LA, has already gotten clothing and shoes to those in need. “We were able to mobilize quickly thanks to our longstanding relationships with our school, community, and footwear partners across the U.S., in addition to the products we already had in our San Bernardino and surrounding-area warehouses,” offers Buddy Teaster, Soles4Souls chief executive officer and president. “With the additional money we raise, we can assist more families in desperate need. Every dollar counts.” (To donate, visit soles4souls.org.)
National Shoe Travelers, Two Ten Bolsters Shoepeople
The National Shoe Travelers is contributing to wildfire relief, as well, and wants to make shoepeople aware of its disaster relief fund, available to current members who have been displaced. “We are just reps trying to help reps,” offers John D’Hondt, an account executive at Spring Footwear. Benefits are managed through Two Ten, and it is a confidential process.