I’m sure most of you are familiar with Mr. Roger’s lesson of “look for the helpers”. It is an eloquent way of searching for light in the darkness. Certainly, during this coronavirus outbreak, the world seems a little dark. When the world appears unlit, populated by shadows and negativity, looking for the light can help see you through. Mr. Rogers liked to look for the people who were helping. It’s a beautiful sentiment that has already helped me over the past few weeks.
The important thing now is to make sure those helpers are recognized and supported. Too often people or brands who sacrifice themselves for the greater good seem to suffer as a result of that decision. I think, instead, we should be praising them and ensuring their survival. Those who are working to help in this time of need are the ones who should come out of this with the ability to move forward.
Today I wanted to put together a collection of those brands who are helping. These are the brands I’m going to be buying from when I need something. Now, I am not suggesting that everyone log on and buy something they don’t need just to spend money. If you need to save your money during this incertain time, if you have lost your job, if you have increased medical expenses, then, by all means, save your money. This is a list for either people who are in a position to do a little shopping from home AND a list to be used as a resource after this passes. We should remember the brands who answered the call when needed. Additionally, this is not a complete list. Please let me know of anyone you think should be added, and I will get them on here!
Brands That Are Helping during the Coronavirus Outbreak
Brooks Brothers – Manufacturing 150,000 face masks per day. Offering up to 30% off almost everything online.
Ralph Lauren – Producing 250,000 masks, 25,000 gowns, and donating $10 million.
Pair of Thieves – For 2 weeks they made masks and bought lunches for ER staff.
J. Press – Donating 25% of online sales to Direct Relief through April 15th.
Beckett Simonon – 1% of all sales to Feeding America. Any shoes for $149 or any boots for $179 with the code TOGETHER.
Allen Edmonds – Making 5,000 masks per day.
Harvie & Hudson – 20% of domestic sales to Guys and St. Thomas Charity and 20% of international sales to Doctors without Borders.
Gitman Bros. – Making hospital gowns.
Boyd’s Philadelphia – 10% of all online sales to Jefferson Medical University’s COVID-19 Better Together Fund.
Di Bruno Bros. – 5% of in-store sales to Jefferson Medical University’s COVID-19 Better Together Fund.
Govberg Jewelers 10% of the profits of any online sale through April 20th to Jefferson Medical University’s COVID-19 Better Together Fund.
Hickey Freeman – 10,000 facemasks for Rochester General Hospital.
Caswell-Massey – Lowered prices through April 30.
Hertling – Making facemasks for the NYC medical community. Partnered with Facemask Aid.
Joseph Abboud / Jos. A. Bank – Making 50,000 masks.
LVMH – Clothing manufacturers making masks. Perfumers making hand sanitizer.
Birdwell Britches – Donating one face mask for every face mack bought.
Moda Matters – Sending 15% of sales to San Raffaele Hospital in Milan.
Auburn Jewelry – Selling a handmade “antibody” charm with 60% of the profits benefitting Mt. Sinai Hospital.