High Sierra and The CITYPAK Project to distribute 1,750 specially designed backpacks to Boston area homeless
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Mansfield, MA, May 22, 2014– On Thursday, June 19, High Sierra (a division of Mansfield, MA-based Samsonite LLC) and The CITYPAK Project will distribute 1,750 specially designed CITYPAK backpacks to Boston area homeless.
Through a partnership with Boston Healthcare for the Homeless, High Sierra and The CITYPAK Project will host health fairs at six locations that day. The CITYPAKs will be offered as incentives to encourage attendees to take advantage of on-site health services.
“We are proud to add Boston to the list of cities we’ve reached with The CITYPAK Project,” said Dawn Sicco, Vice President and General Manager, High Sierra. “Our mission to provide the homeless with a dignified solution to carrying their belongings grows with each new city added to our distribution schedule.”
Health fairs will be held from 9-11 a.m., at New England Center for Homeless Veter ans, St. Francis House, Woods Mullen Shelter and Jean Yawkey Place and from 1 – 3 p.m., at the Pine Street Inn. The fairs will offer services including: general health screenings, vital sign readings, dental and eye exams, dermatological screenings, HIV testing, and nutritional counseling.
Founded by Chicago Philanthropist Ron Kaplan, The CITYPAK Project, the registered 501(c)(3), charitable initiative provides a safe, versatile backpack uniquely designed to meet the constantly changing needs of the homeless.
Boston marks the first east coast distribution site. Since 2012, High Sierra and The CITYPAK Project have distributed over 8,000 CITYPAKs to homeless people in cities across the United States.
High Sierra has enlisted a number of its partners to assist and promote the Boston distribution. Branded Environment Specialists Hill & Partners of Weymouth, MA, has donated trucking and warehousing support for the distribution. Additionally, from April until June 30, Hill & Partners is offering a dollar donation match up to $5,000 and $1 per each new follower on the Hill & Partners Company LinkedIn page. Hill & Partners is also encouraging their clients and vendors for participation and contributions to the packs including food, socks, water bottles, gift certificates and personal hygiene items.
High Sierra retail partner BJ’s Wholesale Club, based in Westborough, MA, has generously donated bottled water and non-perishable food items to be served as snacks during the health fairs, while High Sierra licensee, Planet Sox, has donated 3,600 pairs of socks for the Boston area homeless to be given out at the events.
About High Sierra:
A division of Samsonite LLC, High Sierra designs feature-rich, versatile outdoor lifestyle gear for adventurers everywhere. Since our founding in 1978, we’ve committed ourselves to creating durable, affordable product with distinctive details, delivering the freedom to go anywhere—near or far, on roads or trails, on mountain ridges or snowy slopes, no matter what form your adventure takes. In 2012, High Sierra formed a design partnership with the Chicago-based CITYPAK Project [501(c)(3)] to create purposeful, utilitarian backpacks for the homeless. High Sierra is also proud to be the Official Bags supplier to the U.S. Ski, U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing teams. High Sierra. Adventure This Way.
For more information or to shop online, visit www.highsierra.com, like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/highsierrainc) follow us on Twitter @HighSierrainc, on Instagram, @highSierra_USA. For media inquiries, images, and sample requests, contact: Kara Herlihy, kara@palemorning.com, (802) 583-6070.
About Samsonite:
Samsonite is proud to be an active leader in the community and supports various other local charities, including: The One Fund; Toys for Tots; St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital; American Red Cross; Hasbro’s Children’s Hospital; Senior Friends Fuel Assistance; Mansfield Soup Kitchen; Mansfield Food Pantry; Mansfield Women’s Auxiliary Post; Mansfield VFW; Keep Mansfield Beautiful; Plainville Police Association; Norton Firefighters; The Ellie Fund; Massachusetts Police Association; Massachusetts Municipal Police Coalition; and HMEA.
Samsonite is the worldwide leader in superior travel bags, luggage, and accessories combining notable style with the latest design technology and the utmost attention to quality and durability. For more than 100 years, Samsonite has leveraged its rich design heritage to create unparalleled products that fulfill the on-the-go lifestyle needs of the business professional. Samsonite markets products under the Samsonite, American Tourister, Samsonite Black Label, and Hartmann brands. For more information, visit www.samsonite.com.
