According to said Doug Palladini, Vans Global Brand President, “A recent study by Complex showed that in the U.S. alone, half of today’s youth are more stressed and anxious now than before Covid-19 started”.
Following a period of isolation, experienced as a result of Covid-19, Vans will focus on the vital role creativity plays in helping individuals and communities address mental health and well-being through their 2nd Annual Checkerboard Day (19th of November). Vans Checkerboard Day is a global initiative established to champion the power of creative expression around the world.
“We’ve spent much of the year apart. And it’s been tough. But despite the isolation, both physically and psychologically, we are and always will be a Vans Family, forever connected by creativity,” said Palladini. This year’s Checkerboard Day will focus on the vital role creativity plays in helping individuals and communities address mental health and well-being, in light of the period of global isolation recently.
The footwear brand announced that this year they will be supporting 10 charities from around the world whose shared purpose is to use programmes focused on creativity as resources for coping with the stressors that impact mental health and well-being, by donating a collective $1m.
Each charity will receive $100,000 from The Vans Checkerboard Fund at Tides Foundation to use towards their organisation’s mission to improve the mental health and well-being of youth across the globe through creativity.
This year’s recipients are Campaign Against Living Miserably, The Wave Project, The Ben Raemers Foundation, Get Lit-Words Ignite, The Skatepark Project, Arte Por La Vida, Social Skate, Singapore Association for Mental Health, Buku Jalanan Chow Kit and World of Art Brut Culture.
Leading up to the 19th of November, Vans will rally global fans to participate in a variety of digital brand initiatives focused on uplifting and driving awareness for the power of creative self-expression as a resource for mental health and well-being.
In addition, lovers of the brand can support the 10 regional charities by helping to raise additional donations. They can do so by purchasing a limited-edition Vans Checkerboard Day t-shirt or pair of Authentics designed by renowned artist and Vans brand ambassador, Geoff McFetridge and 100% of proceeds for each product sold will be donated to The Vans Checkerboard Fund at Tides Foundation.
