Last year, during the pandemic, Crestron’s Rosanne Lang and Jessica van Horn updated the giving partnership with charitable organization Bombas. Bombas, an apparel company, sells socks and other garments. The organization donates the equivalent of every purchased item to homeless shelters. Lang adds that Crestron joined the sock donation campaign during the holiday season in 2020.
While Bombas continued its outreach to the homeless, Crestron’s purchases went to frontline healthcare workers. “COVID made late 2020 especially tough for those in that particular field, as you’ll recall, and the donations were especially welcome around this time of year,” Lang remarks.
According to the company’s website, it has “donated more than 50 million items to more than 3,500 community organizations to date.”
Lang also reveals that socks for the homeless featured antimicrobial properties and reinforced seams for longer life. These features were critical for those who couldn’t afford a fresh pair for every day.
“Our sock donations to healthcare heroes and homeless shelters are the equivalent of giving hugs,” Lang continues. “This gesture of comfort is a wonderful way to support our local communities.”
Crestron discloses that it bore repeating in 2021, and once again, footwear is now going out to facilities across North America.
Company-wide Feedback
Van Horn notes that the sock donation campaign was a hit with the Crestron community.
“We are so incredibly grateful for all of the health workers and first responders on the frontlines working around the clock to safeguard our communities and ensure we get the best care possible,” Van Horn says.
Crestron also states that healthcare organizations receiving socks are selected by Crestron’s HQ and regional office staff. The community members also express their appreciation for the company’s initiative. Some of the messages are included below:
- “I’ve never been prouder to be a Crestron employee than this year when we donated socks to people that are saving lives every day.”
- “I am thankful that Crestron gave back to a group of frontline workers that save lives every day. The socks were a way to say we really appreciate all they do!”
- “It was so wonderful to be part of Crestron’s Bombas sock-giving team. I know that with our donation, we were able to help with the continued success of the Road Home Program for Veterans.”
- “The Harbor House of Central Florida was very happy to receive our donation and shared a very nice post on their Facebook page.”
Carina Prueckel, Crestron’s Toronto office manager, will spearhead this year’s campaign. “I’m very honored to be a part of this great holiday initiative, to help those in need and to say thank you to our front-line workers,” she says.
Prueckel adds, “I’d like to extend my gratitude to all Crestron employees who have reached out to hospitals and shelters in your area — a small gesture can really make a big difference.”
For previous coverage on the 2020 sock donation campaign, click here.
