ROCKFORD, Mich. (March 13, 2013) – Reinforcing its belief that outdoor adventure enriches lives, Chaco has come on board as a Thrive-level founding partner of the Outsiders Ball. The Outsiders Ball will rally the industry around a single cause: fighting the growing divide between young people and nature and inspiring a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts, champions, and customers. At this summer’s Outsiders Ball, Chaco will host a StoryCorps narrative-capturing booth that will invite industry leaders and newcomers to share, via video, their inspirational outdoor tales. These personal stories will be archived and will serve as motivational content to encourage the next generation of outdoor participants.
“The Outsiders Ball is truly a party with a purpose” said Chip Coe, General Manager of Chaco. “By coming together as retailers, manufacturers, and industry leaders, we can ensure a bright future for the outdoor industry. Chaco encourages a life of adventure. We believe that our efforts to document and share inspirational stories of adventure will create excitement and lead more children and young adults towards a life of experiencing and appreciating the outdoors.”
“We are thrilled to have Chaco join The Outdoor Foundation as a founding partner of the Outsiders Ball” said Chris Fanning, Executive Director of The Outdoor Foundation. “Chaco has been active in the outdoor industry for almost 25 years and brings with it a very engaged and committed community of adventure-seekers.”
The July 30th Salt Lake City Outsiders Ball will kick off a multi-year, multi-million dollar campaign to raise $300,000 for community projects that are youth-led and retailer-endorsed, all aimed at investing in the future of the industry.
Chaco’s support of the Outsiders Ball comes on the heels of the recently announced partnership between Chaco and the American Camp Association (ACA), pursuant to which Chaco will be making a significant annual donation to the ACA’s “Send a Child to Camp” scholarship fund, further setting thousands of deserving young people on a path toward a commitment to an outdoor lifestyle.
Born on the river in 1989, Chaco builds premium footwear for the outdoor-minded. What started as sandals for river guides has evolved into sandals, shoes, and boots that offer Chaco’s uncompromised support no matter where you roam. All Chaco footwear features the LUVSEAT™, a uniquely contoured platform that properly aligns and supports your foot and body to enable a lifetime of adventure. As a result, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) has awarded the Seal of Acceptance to many Chaco footwear styles. The APMA Seal is intended to raise awareness by identifying products of exceptional quality that are manufactured with comfort, health, and safety in mind. Simply put, Chaco is fit for adventure. Chaco is a part of Wolverine Worldwide’s Performance Group that also includes Merrell, Saucony, Patagonia Footwear, and Cushe. Chaco, 9341 Courtland Drive NE, Rockford, Mich. 49351. Phone: (888) 637-7001; Fax: (800) 862- 6230. www.chacos.com, Facebook: Chacousa, Twitter: @Chacousa.
About the Outdoor Foundation & Outdoor Nation
Charitable arm of Outdoor Industry Association, The Outdoor Foundation is taking the lead nationally to inspire and empower a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts through its signature program Outdoor Nation. Launched in 2010, Outdoor Nation is the only national initiative that is engaging, empowering and investing in next-gen outdoor champions and outdoor projects – ensuring the future of outdoor participation.