Will Leather Goods’ Give Will Foundation backpack giveaway (Photo by Jonathan Moore)
FASHION + PHILANTHROPY
The Art of Giving Back…Packs
Last Friday, a group of elementary school kids in LA’s Venice neighborhood received Will Leather Goods backpacks as the first in a 100,000 backpack initiative launched by Will Leather Goods Founder and Creative Director Will Adler.
Adler’s Give Will Foundation has set a goal to give away 100,000 backpacks over the next five years to underfunded public schools nationwide.
Adler and Westminster Avenue Elementary School Principal Karen Brown were on hand on Nov. 1 to distribute the wax-coated cotton-canvas packs to more than 300 school children.
Adler addressed the crowd of students and their parents, asking the children to “take a moment to reflect on his or her own dream, make a promise to never forget it, and most importantly to use these backpacks to carry the dream in for years to come.”
There's even a spot on the back of the packs where students can write down their goals and dreams.
Adler and his team plan to follow up with the students to mentor them and help them realize their dreams by connecting them with local leaders or providing job shadowing opportunities.
“A lot of companies focus their charitable efforts elsewhere, but there are still great needs in America, especially in the public education system,” Adler said, in a company statement. “As someone who grew up attending public school in Detroit, I know first-hand the importance of a good education and a little bit of motivation. Our goal is to not only provide American children with a great bag to use, but to spark their creativity to aim high and dream big.”
To fund the Give Will initiative, 10 percent of the sale of every Will Leather Goods purchase in-store and online will support the program.
Next spring, Adler will head to Portland, Ore., to donate backpacks to students at Rosa Parks Elementary School.
You can find out more about Adler and the good work—and good works—he does, here and here.
