Strategy April 29, 2022
Promo Firms’ Ukrainian Fundraisers
Here’s where you can donate to industry charity initiatives for Ukraine, including ASI’s fund drive in collaboration with the Red Cross.
As Russia continues to attack Ukraine, ASI and other promotional products companies have launched fundraising drives to help the suffering Ukrainians and refugees now fleeing to nearby countries. We’ll maintain a running list here as companies announce their respective programs, with details on how to contribute.
ASI has launched a fund drive, in collaboration with the American Red Cross, to raise money for Ukrainians and refugees. Donations will go directly to Red Cross workers on the ground there and will help with the purchase and distribution of food, water, clothing, bedding, hygiene sets, blankets, tents and SIM cards.
Facilisgroup has announced that its recent Facilis Cares fundraiser – in conjunction with suppliers Cap America (asi/43792), alphabroder (asi/34063) and Next Level Apparel (asi/73867) – exceeded an initial goal of $25,000, raising more than $30,000 through the sale of T-shirts and hats as well as direct contributions over two weeks. The drive closed on April 14. All donations will go to World Central Kitchen, which is providing warm meals on the ground to those in need, and the National Bank of Ukraine’s relief efforts. Facilisgroup organized the program and set up online ordering capabilities through Commercio, its ecommerce platform. Cap America and Top 40 supplier alphabroder donated the T-shirts and headwear, and Top 40 supplier Next Level Apparel imprinted the items.
Full Line Specialties (asi/199688) has collaborated with employee Iryna Chernii, a brand coordinator at the Surrey, BC-based company, to raise money for Ukrainian aid with the sale of T-shirts. In tandem with Chernii’s Ukrainian church, Holy Eucharist Cathedral in New Westminster, BC, Full Line worked with SanMar Canada (asi/84864), which donated 500 T-shirts for free, and a screen-printer that imprinted the garments at a reduced cost. To purchase a shirt, please contact Chernii at iryna.chernii@fullline.ca or visit the parish website to find out how to help the cause. Chernii came to Canada from Ukraine in 2007, and was recently able to help her sister and twin nieces flee the current conflict and come to Canada as well. Her brother-in-law was required to join Ukraine’s military to defend the country against Russia.
Hanesbrands (asi/59528) is donating nearly $2 million worth of essential clothing through its partner Delivering Good Inc. to help Ukrainians in need.
Facilisgroup has joined forces with suppliers Cap America (asi/43792), alphabroder (asi/34063) and Next Level Apparel (asi/73867) for a fundraiser to help Ukrainians affected by war. The companies are selling T-shirts and caps through an online Ukraine PopUp shop (as well as through a Canadian version of the site). All funds raised go to World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit that works to feed Ukrainians in need, and the National Bank of Ukraine, which is organizing assistance for a variety of relief efforts. So far, the companies have raised more than $10,000 toward a goal of $25,000. The pop-up shop will close April 14 at 11:59 p.m. PST.
California Tattoos (asi/43530) in Tucson, AZ, is selling a “Stand for Ukraine” three-pack of temporary tattoos. All proceeds will go to United Help Ukraine. Tattoos can be purchased here.
Liberty Graphics in Liberty, ME, has raised more than $6,000 for Doctors Without Borders working in Ukraine through sales of its “sunflower and bees” T-shirts. The company will also donate an additional $1,000. Shirts can be purchased here.
Maple Ridge Farms (asi/68680) in Mosinee, WI, will donate 10% of its sales through April 30 to CARE’s Ukraine Crisis Fund. Direct donations to CARE can be made here.
PromoCares, an all-volunteer organization that works to advance social and environmental responsibility in the promo market, has teamed up with leading industry suppliers to create the #Ukraine4Good campaign. Supporters can make a minimum $50 donation to Save the Children through #Ukraine4Good and will receive a PromoCares “Our Hearts are with Ukraine” commemorative T-shirt. Top 40 supplier S&S Activewear (asi/84358) is donating the shirts, decorated by Top 40 supplier Vantage Apparel (asi/93390) and distributed by Top 40 supplier alphabroder | prime line (asi/34063) in reusable compostable shipping bags donated by ChameleonLike | Packed (asi/44558). Top 40 supplier Gemline (asi/56070) is matching donations up to $25,000. More details can be found here.
Krakow-based Lynka, part of Top 40 supplier Vantage Apparel (asi/93390), announces that Founder John Lynch has joined a team of entrepreneurial collaborators to establish Corporate Aid for Ukraine (CAU), a Poland-based humanitarian charitable fund for Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees. “Our mission is to raise millions of dollars from businesspeople, corporations and SMEs, and to get it into the hands of the people and organizations in Poland and Ukraine – faster than imaginable, because we’re here on the front line and we know how to get things done,” says Lynch, an American who’s lived in Poland for about 30 years. Both corporations and individuals can go here to make tax-deductible donations to CAU.
World Emblem International (asi/98262) announces that its UK-based affiliate, J&A International (asi/ ), will be donating all profits made on the next three Fridays (March 25, April 1 and April 8) by J&A, Fastpens, Name Badges Intl., and Stickers Intl. to Disasters Relief Committee, a UK-based organization that benefits crisis victims around the world. Direct contributions can also be made. For more information, contact World Emblem at (800) 766-0448 or sales@worldemblem.com.
Employees at Top 40 distributor Geiger (asi/202900) have donated $25,000 to Doctors Without Borders, with a company dollar-for-dollar match. They’ve also sent $1,500 to the Red Cross. In addition, employees in the UK have raised funds for the UK Red Cross, an effort to which Geiger sent another $1,000, and also made an in-kind donation to Doctors Without Borders.
Nassau Candy, parent company of NC Custom (asi/44900), has pledged $25,000 for shelter, food, water and supplies. “As the crisis in Ukraine continues to unfold, we want to share and express our heartfelt concerns for the people impacted by this war,” says CEO Les Stier. “We hope our aid provides some relief to those in need.”
BELLA+CANVAS (asi/39590), along with sister company Alo, has launched the Ukrainian Aid Program. Working with the UN’s charitable arm, the company’s extensive European supply lines – normally used to transport blank garments – will be leveraged to deliver essential goods, such as apparel, drinkware, bags and power banks, to Ukrainian refugees within a matter of days. The California supplier is asking promo companies to ship donated items (all of which, including the cost of shipping, are 100% tax deductible) in pallet quantities to its Maryland distribution center. More details can be found here.
Barker Specialty (asi/132690) in Cheshire, CT, will be producing “STAND with Ukraine” T-shirts for retail clothing store Stackpole Moore Tryon in Hartford. The shirts, featuring artwork by designer Ellis Echevarria, will be sold for $25, and will be available starting March 23 at Stackpole Moore Tryon’s location, as well as Common Man restaurants in New Hampshire and at the Barker Animation Art Gallery in Cheshire and Foxwoods. They can also be ordered online at morneaults.com. All profits will go to the World Central Kitchen, which is providing warm meals on the ground to Ukrainian refugees.
Terry Town (asi/90913) will donate 3% of total proceeds from spring sales of its Kindly beach towel (BV1104) to World Central Kitchen (WCK), a nonprofit organization owned by chef José Andrés that prepares food onsite for those affected by war and natural disasters. WCK has set up food stations at the Ukrainian border with Poland, as well as in Romania, Moldova and Hungary, to provide warm meals for refugees.
InkSoft now offers free fundraising marketing kits for companies interested in setting up and marketing their own Ukrainian charity effort. The kit includes professional marketing messaging and copy, social media designs, store banners, vector graphic files and inspiration ideas.
Top 40 supplier PCNA (asi/78897) will donate 1% of total March product sales to refugee relief efforts. Donations will be distributed via PF Concept, the Netherlands-based European division of PCNA’s parent company Polyconcept, which has operations across Europe, including in Poznan, Poland. PF Concept is also distributing blankets, clothing and power banks to refugees. In addition to funds raised through purchases from PCNA, direct donations may be made to Red Cross Poland.
Mirror Image will donate $15 from each purchase from its line of T-shirts supporting Ukraine to Vostok SOS, an humanitarian crisis organization that provides medical aid, evacuation services and trauma support.