Grassroots Outdoor Alliance and Keen Fundraise for Disaster Relief

KEEN will donate $5 to the American Red Cross for every pair
of its shoes sold from June 17 to July 3 at 35 retailers


Asheville, NC, and Portland, OR – June 1, 2011 – In response to the devastating spring storms in the South and Midwest, the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance and KEEN have joined forces to raise money for the American Red Cross to support Spring Storms disaster relief efforts. KEEN will donate $5 for every pair of its shoes sold from June 17 to July 3 at 31 retailers in 77 locations that are members of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, a group of independent outdoor retailers throughout North America.

Across the Midwest and South, residents are dealing with a trail of disasters caused by tornadoes, flooding and other severe weather that has left thousands of homes destroyed, and have wreaked havoc in communities large and small. The money raised and donated through the partnership between KEEN and outdoor industry retailers will help the Red Cross assist with relief and recovery efforts, including: serving meals and snacks, operating shelters, providing health and mental health assistance, providing mobile feeding via Emergency Response Vehicles, and distributing bulk items like clean up kits and comfort kits.* The companies have pledged to donate a minimum of $5,000 for the cause.

“So often we witness the aftermath of these natural disasters and we feel helpless and small,” said Roanne Miller, President of GOA based in Park City, UT. “But just like the communities that have banded together during these times of crises, our alliance wanted come together to do the same. We hope this program helps to those affected as they rebuild their lives and communities.”

Since 2004, KEEN has distributed more than $5.5 million to non-profit organizations and dedicated hundreds of hours to community service through its corporate giving program, Hybrid.Care.

“KEEN strives to be a company with a conscience, a company that makes a difference by giving back to the greater community,” said Chris Enlow, community relations manager of KEEN. “We hope this effort with the 35 members of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance to raise money for the Red Cross’ life-saving relief operations brings much needed support and hope to the tornado and flood survivors.”

Participating Grassroots Outdoor Alliance members include:

Alpine Shop, Ltd.:St. Louis, MO
Appalachian Outdoors: State College, PA
Appalachian Outfitters: Peninsula, OH
Backcountry North:Traverse City, MI
Base Camp:Billing, MT
The Benchmark: Cincinnati, OH
Black Creek Outfitters: Jacksonville, FL
Buffalo Peak Outfitters: Jackson, MS
Casual Adventure:Arlington, VA
Champaign Surplus:Champaign, IL
Diamond Brand: Arden, NC
Great Outdoor Provision Co.:Raleigh, NC
Half Moon Outfitters:North Charleston, SC
Idaho Mountain Touring: Boise, ID
Massey’s Professional OF’s:New Orleans, LA
Midwest Mountaineering: Minneapolis, MN
Mountain Chalet:Colorado Springs, CO
Mountain High Outfitters:Birmingham, AL
Nat’s Outdoor Sports:Bowling Green, KY
Outside Hilton Head:Hilton Head, SC
The Outside World:Dawsonville, GA
Pack Rat Outdoor Center:Fayetteville, AR
Peak Sports:Corvallis, OR
River Sports Outfitters:Knoxville, TN
Rock Creek Outfitters:Chattanooga, TN
Skinny Skis:Jackson, WY
Summit Canyon Mountaineering: Glenwood Springs, CO
Summit Hut:Tuscon, AZ
Trailblazer:Guilford, CT
Travel Country: Altamonte Springs, FL
Ute Mountaineer: Aspen, CO
Wilderness Sports:Dillon, CO
Wild Iris Mountain Sports:Lander, WY
Wild River Outfitters:Virginia Beach, VA
Wilson’s Eastside Sports:Bishop, CA

For more information and/or to make a donation, visit www.redcross.org.


About Grassroots Outdoor Alliance
The Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a group of independent outdoor retailers organized to serve the needs of its member operating more then 70 independent specialty outdoor stores throughout North America. Grassroots is dedicated to creating benefits to its members through sharing information, fostering communication, promoting best business practices and protecting our natural environment, locally and globally.


About KEEN
KEEN Inc., manufacturer of hybrid footwear, socks and bags, is an outdoor brand that delivers innovative hybrid products, enabling outdoor enthusiasts to live an active lifestyle. Founded in 2003, KEEN was first recognized for its Newport sandal, which featured patented toe protection technology. Since then the company has been recognized for outstanding trail and casual products, and in 2010 was named one of “America’s Best Places to Work” by Outside Magazine.

The company strives to demonstrate integrity and leadership, especially on social and environmental commitments, while promoting a vibrant, inclusive community that attracts all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts. Through its giving program Hybrid.Care, KEEN supports a variety of social and environmental organizations around the globe.

Based in Portland, Oregon, KEEN products are available in more than 5,000 retail locations in more than 50 countries – including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Central America, South America and Europe. To learn more, visit www.keenfootwear.com.

Keep up with the ways KEEN is creating possibilities, reimagining the outdoors and caring for the world around us through the KEEN HybridLife Community by following us on Twitter (@Keen) and Facebook (facebook.com/keeninc).


*On those rare occasions when donations exceed American Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. The American Red Cross name and emblem are used with its permission, which in no way constitutes an endorsement, express or implied, of any product, service, company, opinion or political position. For more information about the American Red Cross, please visit www.redcross.org.