A global day of giving at American Eagle
Roughly 1,300 American Eagle Outfitters employees are participating this year in the retailer’s second annual AEO Better World Community Day.
The operator of more than 1,000 stores throughout the U.S. and several international markets developed the community involvement initiative last year as a means to unite employees for a common cause to make a difference at the local level. The company designated Tuesday, June 10 as Better World Day.
“As we embark upon our second annual AEO Better World Day, we are excited to unite so many of our associates across the country and abroad for a truly global day of giving,” said Helga Ying, vp of external engagement and social responsibility at American Eagle Outfitters. “We are committed to continuing our efforts to enrich the communities in which we work, perform and live.”
To date, through the AEO Foundation the company has contributed to charitable causes most relevant to AEO and its customers such as the environment, youth empowerment, education and young women’s health. For example, employees at the company’s offices and stores in Pittsburgh, New York City, and San Francisco, Canada, Mexico, China and Hong Kong will participate in 37 different community projects. Some of the projects include:
Pittsburgh – As part of the Beverly’s Birthdays project, volunteers will assemble and pack birthday cheer bins for homeless children. Beverly's Birthdays delivers birthday presents to children across 15 shelters in the Pittsburgh region.
New York – During the Beautify East River Park event, 150 volunteers with join forces with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and help get the East River Park ready for the summer season by mulching, weeding and planting in several areas around the park.
San Francisco – Employees will travel to the Slide Ranch in Marin, to volunteer at the non-profit farm and participate in various activities such as cooking, gardening, caring for animals, building fences and more. The mission of Slide Ranch is to connect the Bay Area with farm-based environmental education that focuses on the principles of sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship.
Canada – Associates will partner with the Covenant House Toronto, Canada’s largest homeless agency, to help paint, clean and organize its home, while gardening and planting the rooftop.
Mexico – Associates will work with the Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature to facilitate training and workshops that will enhance the organization’s ability to better educate the public on protecting the Royal Mexican Eagle.
China – Employees will visit and have lunch with 90 students at the Shanghai School for Deaf-Mute to help understand their living and studies. Each student will receive a t-shirt and pair of AEO jeans.
Hong Kong – Volunteers will create an outdoor mosaic wall at the Sam Shui Natives Association Lau Pun Cheung School. The Sam Shui Natives Association Lau Pun Cheung School is a special school that serves autistic and mildly mental disabled children and teenagers.