In October, Southern CA was hit by wildfires, losing more than 500,000 acres and 3,000 homes and businesses. Rather than shipping a donation to a third party, Nike employees in our western region, decided to make this donation personal. With a focus on serving youth, we worked with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and two of the hardest hit school districts in San Diego County to provide footwear and apparel to students and their families whose homes were either destroyed or severely damaged by the fires. In addition to the employees who made trips to support the community, several Nike athletes, including reigning NFL MVP, San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson, came out to help distribute shoes. Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman of the Chargers also met with student-athletes who lost their homes to offer words of encouragement.
So how was the effort received? Here’s a quote from a San Diego high school teacher: "I wish you could see the evidence of Nike's gift to our community. People are coming up to me all the time saying what a great event it was, and how generous it was of NIKE to do this for our families. Again, it was more than the product; it was about the nature of giving and doing the right thing. That is a life lesson we could never create in any classroom."
Nike donated $500,000 in footwear and apparel to support the victims.