Event to take place on Monday, October 2, from 1:00-5:00 P.M., 6500 Metropolis Drive, Austin
Austin, Texas – In the throes of Hurricane Harvey, KEEN Utility reached out to TEXSAR with a generous donation of 2,500 pairs of footwear for TEXSAR members and first responders. “We like to take action when disaster strikes. Making meaningful donations of footwear is simply the right thing to do,” comments Chris Enlow, KEEN’s Corporate Responsibility Director. Volunteer members of TEXSAR and local first responders are invited to the Central Texas Food on Monday, October 2, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. to receive a free pair of the donated KEEN Utility footwear. “Safety is more important than ever in the aftermath of natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey, said Enlow. “Our hope is our safety boots and shoes will help to protect the members and first responders as they work diligently to support the many impacted by the devastation this storm brought to the community.”
“TEXSAR is comprised of approximately 250 professionally-trained member volunteers who use personal funds to prepare themselves with gear in order to be ready to serve our community and great state. The donation of a pair of KEEN Utilty boots goes a long way with our members, enabling them to continue their selfless service,” said TEXSAR Board Chair, Shawn Hohnstreiter.TEXSAR, also known as Texas Search and Rescue, had been requested by the Counties of Caldwell, Galveston, Harris, Hays, Montgomery, Nueces, and the City of Galveston Office of Emergency Management to stage personnel and rescue boats in coastal areas in preparation for and response to Hurricane Harvey.
The Central Texas Food Bank is the largest food relief organization in Central Texas, making them a natural fit as a distribution partner. “KEEN Utility’s donation of footwear for members of TEXSAR and local first responders is yet another demonstration of the phenomenal outpouring of support we’ve seen in the wake of Hurricane Harvey,” said Derrick Chubbs, president & CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. “The Food Bank team is honored to serve as a connecting point for this generous gift and those who will use it in the service of our Texas neighbors.”
KEEN, Inc.: Inspired by a love of the outdoors, KEEN Inc., manufacturer of hybrid outdoor and casual products, including footwear, clothing, and accessories, is dedicated to creating quality products that support the lifestyles and outdoor adventures of active people around the world. KEEN products can be found online and through more than 5,000 retail locations in more than 60 countries, as well as in KEEN
Garage retail stores in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. The company operations and culture reflect a stand-out commitment to building a strong community and a healthier planet so that all can create, play, and care. Learn more at www.keenfootwear.com
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KEEN Utility: KEEN Utility, a leading industrial and service footwear brand, successfully exceeds footwear safety standards while combining advanced durability and innovation with the same comfort and unparalleled classic fit offered by KEEN outdoor, lifestyle and kids footwear. KEEN Utility footwear is grounded in protection with the goal to make boots to fit you better. The whole you. Discover more about KEEN Utility at http://www.keenutility.com/, Facebook: fb.com/keenutility, Twitter: twitter.com/keenutility and Instagram: instagram.com/keenutility/
TEXSAR: Texas Search and Rescue is a volunteer first responder organization focused on Search and Rescue, incident response, and disaster response, with teams in Central Texas, the Gulf Coast, North Texas, West Texas, and the Coastal Bend. TEXSAR deploys throughout the state of Texas at the request of local, state and federal agencies, working in support of those agencies to offer a wide variety of highly specialized resources that may not be otherwise available. In addition to emergency response situations, TEXSAR serves as force multipliers for local public safety agencies, deploying flood and swiftwater rescue technicians, search and rescue technicians, medical personnel, wildland firefighters and support personnel. There is never a charge for services to requesting agencies or individuals. TEXSAR relies on donations to support our organization. Learn more at www.TEXSAR.org
CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANK: The mission of Central Texas Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in the fight against hunger. Founded in 1981, the Food Bank provides food and grocery products through a network of nearly 300 Partner Agencies and nutrition programs, serving nearly 46,000 people every week. Headquartered in Austin, the Food Bank serves 21 counties in Central Texas, an area about twice the size of Massachusetts. For more information on the Food Bank and its programs, visit www.centraltexasfoodbank.org
For media inquiries, please contact the following representatives:
TEXSAR: Paula DeLaCruz at 512-956-6727 (O), 979-574-3488 (M) or paula.delacruz@texsar.org
KEEN, Inc.: Chris Enlow at 503-805-9962 (O) or chris.enlow@keenfootwear.com.
KEEN Utility: Lauren Grimm at 414-892-8895 (O) or lauren@punch-pr.com.
CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANK: Paul Gaither at 512-684-2528 (O), 512-550-9030 (M) or pgaither@centraltexasfoodbank.org.
