In their latest effort to contribute to something positive the human experience at the same time as doing what they love, Charles River Apparel is donating a significant percentage of their sales in April to a couple of good causes, the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).
They do this for no other reason than they’re a good company. Charles River Apparel is a good company for more than their philanthropic efforts, they also make durable and fashionable products, especially the New Englander Rain Jacket.
We’ll come back to that…
At All Seasons Uniforms, we’re fans of Charles River not because we’re distributors, we’re distributors because we’re big fans.
We’re such big fans, we wanted to know more about the company, like what makes them tick, so we asked to speak someone about the promotion.
They sent us Tracy Lehnen, Charles River’s vice president of marketing. Lehnen as we believe you’ll agree only further endeared us to their brand.
What she told us confirmed what we already knew: engaging with the Charles River brand is a feel-good experience.
We’re going to share a little of our exchange with you, then talk about how you can be a hero this week, but first, Tracy…
Tracy Lehnen came to Charles River with a marketing background in the footwear industry but found a place where she fit in.
“When the position opened up a Charles River Apparel I knew it was the right opportunity for me because they had similar values and a great product I knew I could help market.”
We were talking to the right person, but what we really wanted to know was more about what matters to an apparel brand like Charles River. Is it only a matter of staying ahead of fashion and textiles? Do they really care about causes or is it all a marketing stunt?
What matters, really? Lehnen wasted no time outlining the answer to that question.
“Our brand is built on the rich heritage and traditions of New England,” she said. “We value hard work and strong relationships.”
Of the organization’s past, Lehnen said:
“What started as a rainwear company in 1983.has evolved into a well-known apparel company…”
According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the need to protect ourselves, to seek shelter, is on par with oxygen and nourishment. Without these key aspects of life, staying alive is impossible.
There’s a certain poetry about a company that started with our most basic of needs: shelter. The New Englander rainjacket, while not as sturdy as your home, is to clothing what your roof is to that house.
Charles River Apparel could have started with designing the best underwear known to humanity, but they chose to start with the clothes that protect.
If we measure them by their latest promotion, they’re still in the business of protecting. Now it’s our rivers and oceans…
Of this initiative, Lehnen makes it clear this is something for which they’ve always been about:
“The Lipsett family has always been philanthropic, starting with the Be Pink Proud campaign which honored beloved family members. As the years progressed we saw an opportunity to build on the tradition of giving back and were motivated to expand our reach and engage more of our customers in our mission so we launch a new cause-related program, Colors for Cause.”
The Colors for a Cause campaign continues Charles River Apparel’s tradition of protection, by “…[leveraging] our number one selling style, the New Englander,” said Lehnen. “[It helps] raise awareness and funds for national and local charities.”
This isn’t the first rodeo for Charles River with this promotion. Earlier this year, focused on their red New Englander, they focused on families, giving to two other organizations: Family Promise and Habitat for humanity.
Both are organizations geared towards putting families in homes. Again, Charles River focuses their efforts on the same valuable need they first served, the need for shelter.
It all hits you right in the feels, but don’t think there’s not something in it for the folks at Charles River.
Lehnen speaks for their brand but by proxy for All Season’s Uniforms when she said, “There’s a sense of pride that comes from seeing your garments worn…”
We couldn’t agree more.
With Colors for a Cause, it is our hope, that our you, our customers can share in that pride. You’ve only one week left to take advantage of this promotion, giving back to our oceans and rivers.
Purchase any size of the women’s Wave New Englander Rain Jacket by Charles River, and we’ll see that 10% of your purchase goes right back to saving the planet’s aquatic systems.
You or someone you love can stay fashionable while protected from the elements. Put them on your whole employment team to demonstrate your values while letting them know those team members are part of that list.
You’ll be in good company, matched by the values of Charles River Apparel.
Or, as Lehnen puts it:
“As a family owned business and a brand we put a high emphasis on compassion and caring which his one of our 6 core values and very important to our brand.”
Yes, that much is clear. We couldn’t agree more.
Be selfish, but be a hero at the same time. Follow this link to contribute to Colors for a Cause through All Season’s Uniforms today.
About the Author
Nick Warrick
Nick Warrick is the Sales Manager at All Seasons Uniforms. With over 15 years of experience in the work uniform business, he has worked with hundreds of clients across 20 different industries. Holding bachelor’s degrees in both Business Administration and Information Technology, Nick revamped the company’s online presence, offering its customers a new uniform shopping experience.