Support the Cause

Support the Cause
By Western Shooting Horse Contributor, Jennifer K. Hancock

WITH A GROWING NUMBER OF RETAILERS GIVING PORTIONS OF THEIR PROCEEDS TO NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, CONSUMERS CAN CONVENIENTLY GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES AND SHOW THEIR SUPPORT THROUGH RETAIL SHOPPING

Wrangler

People living the Western lifestyle are generally willing to lend a helping hand to their neighbors or those in need. That generosity also extends to organization and associations that help promote a way of life near and dear to the hearts of cow- boys and cowgirls. Many companies that serve this population also hold a similar mindset and support non-profit organizations with product and monetary donations. Some companies even partner with their customers to make donations through product purchases. These companies are sharing their profits with worth-while organizations and your purchase can do double duty—you get a great product and a special organization receives a donation.

In 2009, Wrangler set out to unify the Western community through the launch of the Wrangler National Patriot program. This unique pro- gram is designed to support wounded American military veterans and their families as well as the families of fallen American service men and women through donations from the proceeds of red, white and blue Wrangler National Patriot shirts and other fund-raising efforts.

The program was seeded with a check for $50,000 donated by Wrangler in the name of cowboy legend and long-time friend of the Wrangler family, Jim Shoulders. An American professional rodeo rider, cow- boy and rancher, Shoulders is a member of the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and at the time of his death, was the most successful contestant in the PRCA. Wrangler National Patriot program officially began on December 12, 2009, at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas with the check presentation.

Since the spring of 2010, Wrangler Western Wear has been offering consumers a stylish way to get involved with the Wrangler National Patriot program by introducing a line of men’s and women’s shirts embroidered with the Wrangler National Patriot logo. A portion of the proceeds from the line go to charities providing support to military veterans, much of which stay in local communities across the country. To date, the line of shirts have raised more than $750,000.

Wrangler is excited to announce that the Wrangler National Patriot logo will be embroidered on a line of shirts inspired and worn by the legendary country music star and team roper, George Strait. These limited edition shirts not only signify the Wrangler brand’s ongoing commitment to supporting America’s heroes, but also the King of Country Music’s, who is a veteran himself and very involved with giving back to the men and women who’ve served our country.
www.wranglernationalpatriot.com

Durango Boots

Rocky Brands has partnered with the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Association to raise funds for the youth agriculture organization though its Durango line of boots. The Rebel by Durango Western boot features a square toe and an attention-grabbing FFA emblem on the shaft of the boot. The full-grain leather foot of the boot is very smooth and particularly durable. The boots’ pull holes and pull straps make them easy to pull on.

The boots are 11” tall, and the design is driven by com- fort. They feature a soft but durable lining that shields legs from irritation. The footbed of the boot offers comfort- able cushioning and ventilation to cool the foot. An FFA graphic has been added to the transparent Rebel outsole.

Rocky Brands, Inc. will donate at least $5 for each pair sold to the FFA with a guaranteed minimum donation of $25,000. So buying a pair of Rebel by Durango FFA Western boots has the added bonus of supporting FFA pro- grams. The “Future Farmers of America” was founded by a group of young farmers in 1928. Their mission was to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population. The organizers’ goal was to teach others that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting – it’s a science, it’s a business, and it’s an art. Durango boots have been around for more than half a century. The brand has become well known for western and rock and roll in- spired footwear. The Nelsonville, Ohio, based company was founded in 1966 and is a division of Rocky Brands.

Additionally, Durango will donate $2 for each pair of Durango Women’s Pink Western Boots (RD3557) sold, up to $35,000 annually, to the Stefanie Spielman Patient Assistance Fund, which helps breast cancer patients and their families who are struggling to afford the costs associated with treatment.

The American Cancer Society reported that an estimated 40,030 breast cancer deaths (39,620 women, 410 men) are expected in 2014. By you wearing these Durango boots, you can show your support for those who have been affected and create awareness about this disease.

These women’s cowboy boots are dark brown and bright pink in full-grain leather. The pink shaft is adorned with embellishments and white stitching; the eye-catching hue reminds others that the color pink just might change the world. Each pull tab features a pink ribbon.
www.durangoboots.com

Justin Boots

Texas-based Justin Boot Company began a partnership with the Texas FFA Association in 1998 when they began sponsoring the John Justin “Standard of the West” Award. The award recognizes the rich heritage and tradition of the Justin Boot Company and its outstanding success as an agricultural-based company. The “Standard of the West” Award is designed to recognize those FFA members who exemplify the spirit of agriculture, along with its work ethic and family values. The selection criteria for the award are based upon the individual’s integrity, honesty, helpful- ness, perseverance, grades, and school attendance.

Justin Boot Company also offers the officially licensed Future Farmers of America boots. Justin Boots donates $5 to the Texas FFA for every pair sold. The boots are 11” tall and feature laser branded FFA logos on Ponteggio leather. The square-toed boots are proudly made in the United States.
www.justinboots.com

amazon.com

You can support non-profit equine and agricultural organizations through Amazon.com’s new AmazonSmile program. AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way to support a favorite charitable organization. When shopping at smile.amazon.com, customers will find the exact same prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to a charitable organization of your choice from a list of approved organizations. There are nearly 1 million organizations currently available to choose from, as well as millions of products that are eligible for donations. These products are marked with “Eligible for AmazonSmile do- nation” on their product detail pages. Customers can use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile.

On the first visit to AmazonSmile, customers select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before beginning to shop. Amazon customers can change their charity choice at any time. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5 percent of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases excluding shipping and handling, gift-wrapping fees, taxes or service charges. Donations are made by the AmazonSmile Foundation and are not tax deductible by the purchaser.
smile.amazon.com

Credit Cards

While making purchases of boots, western wear and other items, your purchase could also be helping an equine breed organization. Several credit card companies such as Bank of America, partner with different equine breed associations to offer members and breed fans affinity credit cards. The credit cards usually feature a photo of a horse representing the association’s breed and offers benefits to the cardholder such as cash back or reward points. In addition, the equine association receives a portion of every dollar that each cardholder charges as a donation to the association to use for their programs.

Most cards offer qualified cardholders exceptional benefits including no annual fee, a low APR and reward points for shopping at participating merchants. Contact your favorite breed or discipline organization to see if they have a partnership agreement with a credit card company. The cards are also great conversation starters about your equine pursuits when presented for payment.