Category: safety mats

The store is dead, long live the store

There are few in retail circles who would argue that the role of the store is the same as it was at the start of 2020, with the retail industry (like every other on the planet) undeniably changed as a result of the global pandemic.

Where once upon a time retail business models had the luxury of evolving over years and sometimes decades, retailers over the last two years have been forced to rapidly pivot their operations, change business models and switch (in many cases) to unfamiliar, new ways of working.

These changes have included the diversification of the physical store to support the increase in ecommerce; delivering entirely new offerings

such as curbside pickup; and the realignment of workflows and processes to support profitability across an entire network, not just one location.

While it’s almost inevitable that ecommerce growth will outpace growth through physical stores at some point in the future, it would be a huge mistake to lose sight of the critical role stores have to play beyond purely profitability, but also in terms of softer measures of brand health, not least loyalty and the overall customer experience journey.

The key to this lies in not being distracted by the minutiae of how an order is necessarily placed, but rather, concentrating on where it ultimately gets fulfilled.

For example, Target recently reported that as much as 75 percent of its online orders involved their stores in some capacity: be that buy online, pickup in store (BOPIS), curbside pickup, ship from store, local home delivery from store stock, or even buy online, return in store (BORIS).

As a result of (rather than in spite of), the rapid growth of digital channels in 2020 and 2021, 21st century retailers need to understand that the store will remain a significant channel for generating revenue, customer engagement and fulfilment opportunities.

This rapid evolution has led to an increased awareness and reliance on dynamic and resilient in-store systems, critical to modern retail ecosystems – systems like modern Point Of Sale (POS).

POS has certainly come a long way since the rather perfunctory function of previous generations: no longer is POS simply a tool to complete a transaction (sales or returns) and the associated reporting; modern POS today represents the key to unified commerce, enabling activities such as endless aisle, click and collect, store fulfilment of online orders, clienteling and loyalty.

While the store may no longer be the sun around which all retail offerings orbit, a compelling bricks and mortar presence that works in harmony with a unified, smarter digital offering, could well be the answer to the question on the lips of so many retail leaders right now: ‘how do we create a compelling competitive advantage against such a significantly changed industry landscape?’

The role of the store has changed and so too has the in-store technology that supports it. This however, should not come as a great surprise as the history of the retail industry has always been one of change, evolution and progress – today’s environment, accelerated by the pandemic, is no different.

With greater emphasis on the need to fulfil, execute and optimize against ecommerce and e-fulfilment, it’s clear that the physical store, supported by modern POS systems still has a significant (if not changed), role to play when it comes to being able to commerce confidently.

While the store of yesteryear is well and truly dead, the store of today is undergoing somewhat of a renaissance. The challenge now falls to retailers to realize the true potential of their marquis bricks and mortar assets by pairing them with the right future-ready, in-store systems like modern Point Of Sale.

For a list of the sources used in this article, please contact the editor

Manhattan Associates
www.manh.com
Alex MacPherson is Director of Solution Consulting and Account Management, at Manhattan Associates, a technology leader in supply chain and omnichannel commerce. It unites information across the enterprise, converging front-end sales with back-end supply chain execution. Its software, platform technology and unmatched experience help drive both top-line growth and bottom-line profitability for customers.

Manhattan Associates designs, builds and delivers leading-edge cloud solutions so that across the store, through your network or from your fulfillment center, you are ready to reap the rewards of the omnichannel marketplace.

The products reviewed are for anyone who takes their bathroom safety seriously and would like to prevent any accidents. Slips and falls may seem like unimportant occurrences, but they can have major consequences.

A person is more likely to sustain a head injury or a bone fracture with a simple slip. The elderly may become socially isolated and lonely as a result, as they may be afraid to go out and visit relatives and friends for fear of falling. So you can also buy this for an elderly person if you know of one.

Bath mat vs. bath rug
Knowing the distinctions between a bath mat and a bath rug will give you a good idea of which option is ideal for your bathroom when choosing décor. They are two distinct items, although people often refer to them as one.

Be on the lookout for rugs and mats made of water-absorbing materials, as this stops water from spilling over and creating post-bath splashes on your bathroom floor. Water damage to floors occurs over time.

If you let puddles linger for a short while, the sealant on the tile floor will disintegrate and linoleum can turn discolored. Both bath rugs and mats have a distinct role.

It’s crucial to understand the specifics of each so you can make the best decision for your family between a bath mat and a bath rug because they both have different appearances.

What is a bath mat?
A bathroom mat is designed primarily to prevent you from slipping on damp bathroom surfaces. To dry off after taking a bath, place a bath mat in front of the bathtub or shower. They often have anti-slip properties and are especially absorbent for safety reasons.

What is a bath rug?
Luxury bath rugs are primarily designed to be an aesthetic element in your bathroom, even if they may help absorb moisture after a bath. To complete the effect, bath rugs can be matched to your bathroom’s motif and drapes, towels, and shower curtains.

They’re not just for the front of the bathtub or shower, you can use them anywhere in your bathroom.

While both are quite attractive, the main difference is that bath rugs are soft and give the room a more opulent sense than bath mats do. While both make excellent selections for your bathroom at home, the decision between a bath mat and a bath rug comes down to personal preference.

Bath mats rarely have skid-proof backing and are typically more fashionable than practical. After stepping off the shower or bathtub, bath mats’ latex backing helps you avoid slipping.

Unlike a bath mat, a bathroom rug is often usually composed of a fluffier, more opulent material. A bath mat, which is frequently composed of a flat piece of silicone or cotton cloth, is more functional than a bathroom rug and can add a touch of decor to the space.

Both words are frequently used interchangeably. What matters is if it is clean, regardless of what you label it. Not just for aesthetic purposes, but also health.

Is having a bathroom rug safe?
As long as you follow the cleaning and maintenance guidelines, a bath rug is safe. Since mold and mildew thrive in moist, warm settings, bath mats that dry more rapidly are more hygienic. Every two weeks, wash the bathroom rugs or mats in hot water to keep them clean.

Alternatives that do not absorb water while also preserving the cleanliness of the bathroom are wood bath mats. You can locate a non-skid rug that has always been washable and constructed of non-toxic components if you are worried about keeping it clean.

Although BPA and phthalates are frequently found in these mats, it is recommended to use non-skid rugs or mats composed of non-toxic materials or chemicals.

Should I have a bath mat?
For some people, going to the bathroom can be calming, but it’s also dangerous. For those with mobility issues, especially the elderly, this could be a concern. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 30% of the adult population in America suffers from hip and head injuries due to fall accidents in the bathroom.

A person is more likely to sustain a head injury or a bone fracture with a simple trip. Even if they are not made of glass tiles, someone can still slip if the floors are wet and filled with soap scum, which is why you need a bath mat.

Fortunately, you can easily prevent falls and improve bathroom safety by using a non-slip bath mat. While you stay there for a while and dry off, it ensures that any water from the floor is absorbed and provides stability.

Some also put rubber ones in the bath with small suction cups on them to keep you from flipping over inside the tub and breaking your ribs or even your leg or arm as it can happen fast.

Do bath mats actually help with preventing slipping?
If you’re concerned about your safety, non-slip bath mats or shower rugs may come in handy in your house’s bathroom. Each year, bathroom-related accidents cause around 234,000 visits to the emergency unit, which are mostly caused by slips in the shower.

Non-slip bath mats should frequently be useful in preventing falls when you’re taking a shower. Get a non-slip bath mat to be safe, especially if you suffer from a disability or a chronic pain condition.

Furthermore, a non-slip bath mat is not only advised but also necessary if you live with children or elderly people. Non-slip bath mats don’t just keep people from falling; they also keep them from hurting — and not just the agony that follows a fall.

Since the cushioning of the mats can relieve aches and pains, they are good for your feet and joints. Purchasing a non-slip mat or rug made out of rubber or foam as opposed to plastic can provide you with even more relaxation.

Restaurants are an active place, with employees hustling about to make sure everything gets done and customers leave happy. Of course, all that activity can make restaurants a dangerous place if people aren’t careful. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were more than 50,000 reported injuries in the restaurant industry. Many of these incidents involve something that’s in every restaurant: the floor. Between slippery surfaces, long shifts, and tight workspaces, restaurant floors can create big problems that put workers at risk for both harmful accidents and ongoing ailments related to their job. To prevent these problems, we must first identify what they are and then come up with appropriate solutions.  

Slippery Floors 

A wet floor can be one of the biggest hazards in a kitchen. A single slip can lead to serious injuries, especially if someone is coming around a corner carrying something sharp, hot, or heavy. According to BLS data, there were nearly 15,000 reported nonfatal slip, trip, and fall injuries in the restaurant industry in 2016. The impacts of these injuries varied, with a median of six days away from work. It doesn’t take much for a kitchen floor to get slippery. Anything from natural condensation from heat to accidental spills can turn a regular surface into a slippery mess. Even attempts to clean the floor can leave a sleek solution of water and film, and that’s when someone gets time to even try and clean up a mess in a busy kitchen.

Slip prevention is also beneficial for more than just the back of the house. Customers can track rain and snow throughout a restaurant and create slippery hazards for workers and patrons alike. While you can’t help what your customers bring in, you can lay down entrance mats that absorb rain and snow when people walk through the door to keep floors clean and dry and protect both customers and service staff.

Drainage mats are also a great solution for the kitchen as well. Drainage mats are made with a special tread on a slip-resistant material like rubber or vinyl that provides workers with more traction than the typical kitchen floor. If there’s a spill, wet area floor mats are designed to allow water and other slippery foods drain through to the floor instead of pooling up on the surface. When it comes time to clean a mess, all you do is pick up a mat, wipe it down, and wash away what’s left.

In addition to safety mats, good footwear can help workers navigate tight spaces without worrying if the tread on their shoes will fail them. Another key safety tip is to make sure people in the kitchen always communicate. By using key callouts like “behind” and “corner,” employees can limit accidental collisions that can lead to slippery floors and serious injuries.  

Long Periods of Standing on Hard Surfaces 

Slips and falls aren’t the only health issues that can be caused by restaurant floors. Whether they’re working in the back of the house or serving customers, restaurant employees can spend hours standing or hustling around an establishment. The risks of rushing around corners or through tight work areas can seem obvious enough, but people don’t always consider how standing in one place can slowly take its toll on their body. While walking allows your legs to alternate supporting your body, standing forces each leg to hold up half your body weight at all times. Instead, your feet and calves are constantly adjusting to hold you upright, leading to excess stress on those parts of the body that can extend to issues elsewhere. OSHA cites standing for long periods of time on a hard surface as one of its ergonomic hazards for restaurant workers, noting that it “can lead to muscle fatigue, back pain, and soreness in legs and feet.” Without proper support or breaks, the constant pressure of a hard surface on a person’s body can lead to fatigue and chronic health issues. The first option is to keep everyone moving and to allow for regular breaks where people can get off their feet.

Unfortunately, the rigors of restaurant life can create situations where long periods of standing are necessary. To combat the impacts of standing on a hard surface, it makes sense to add some additional support. Once again, proper footwear that isn’t worn down can give your feet a lift, while anti-fatigue floor mats can provide people with enough cushion to take some of the stress of their bodies while they work. A layer of spongy material can make a huge difference for reducing fatigue and keeping workers refreshed as they stand at their stations.

Tripping Hazards

Items that are on the floor can be as much of a problem as the floor itself. As with slips, trips contribute to roughly 15,000 injuries in the restaurant business. Tripping hazards can come in all sort of forms in both the front and back of the house, so prevention is all about identifying and removing those threats from floors. The first threat is anything being stored on the floor or falling to the floor from a counter or busing container. Keep these areas clear at all times to prevent people from tripping over them. Another hazard is any flooring that is loose or sticks out enough to cause someone to catch their feet on them. Make sure that mats have beveled edges so that they lay flat to the ground and that carpeting isn’t sticking up to where customers can trip over it. 

When it comes to improving workplace safety, sometimes the best place to start is from the ground up. Making a restaurant a safer place requires ongoing effort, but with the right training and tools, you can limit the risks of injury and chronic health issues. 

One of my favorite things about 6-month-old babies is how much they become aware of the world and begin to play. They start to develop personalities, and they show preferences for certain toys. To find the best toys for 6-month-olds, you need to know what your baby’s interests are and where they are developmentally. Try musical toys, like the LeapFrog Learn And Groove Play Drum and toys that promote motor skills, like a set of soft baby blocks.

The best toys for 6-month-olds let them explore new skills, such as the fine motor abilities it … [+] takes to play with this Oball toy car rattle.

Amazon

As a mom to three kids and a product reviewer and tester, I’ve seen my fair share of baby toys. To learn more about what makes for the best toys for 6-month-olds, I also spoke to four experts, including two pediatricians. “Play allows for creative learning and is essential for healthy brain development,” pediatrician Dr. Esther Liu, chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center, told me. I also spoke to a pediatric physical therapist and a clinical psychologist. You can hear more of their thoughts on baby toys and play throughout this article.

As renowned psychologist Jean Piaget said, “play is the work of childhood.” By giving babies the tools they need to play and explore their world, you’re setting them up for success in all areas of development. Whether you’re looking for gifts or just want to grab something special for your curious baby, here are some of the best toys for 6-month-olds. While you’re shopping, you might also want to check out our holiday Gift Guides or these toy guides, including the best toys for 1-year-olds, best toys for 2-year-olds, toys for 3-year-olds and the best for 5-year-olds.

Best Developmental Toys For 6-Month-Olds

A Soft Set Of Blocks

These textured, squeezable blocks are soft so baby won’t get hurt when they knock the stack down. “Before they are even able to stack blocks independently, babies will explore blocks by passing them back and forth between their hands and banging them together,” says Dr. Charissa Chamorro, clinical psychologist in New York City.

---

An Interactive Push Walker

This interactive push toy includes a removable activity board that’s filled with fun toys for non-mobile babies, including musical keys and a faux telephone. It’s perfect for tummy time, and then, as they get ready to start trying out those first steps, it can be pushed around the room. Just remember to keep any dangerous areas, including stairwells and the kitchen closed off with a baby gate whenever you introduce a wheeled toy like this. Pediatric physical therapist Kaitlin Rickerd, however, explained that a push walker can actually help to encourage babies to crawl and pull to stand as they reach for the interactive toy.

---

Best Wooden Toys For 6-Month-Olds

They’ll Learn About Object Permanence

It’s really fun for babies to put things in and out of containers. “At this time, they become very interested in the concept of things being able to disappear and still exist, later reappearing,” says Dr. Chamorro. Playing like this can help them understand object permanence.

---

This Set Has Five Sensory Toys

Rattles, a car, a suction cup toy and a teether: this wooden set has so many interesting toys for babies. If you’re looking for gifts for a 6-month-old you don’t know very well, this Hape collection is a good option because it has a few different types of toys.

---

Best Music Toys For 6-Month-Olds

An Interactive Drum

Dr. Harvey Karp explained that “a baby-appropriate toy drum that they can rat-a-tat-tat on” can support gross motor development. This can also keep them entertained while they work on sitting independently. 

---

A Food-Themed Guitar They Can Rock Out With

Babies love to listen to music, so it’s no surprise that musical instruments tend to be a hit with this age. Dr. Liu explained that toys with buttons, such as this toy guitar, teach babies cause and effect. They’ll rock out to the six songs and 10 guitar riffs included in this toy.

---

Best Sensory Toys For 6-Month-Olds

A Mat To Keep Them Occupied While They Build Their Muscles

This mat is filled with floating sea creatures, and it’s a mess-free way to get in some sensory play. “I really like the water mats on the floor to encourage babies to work on their upper body and core strength and engaging them without the flashing lights and noise that can distract them,” says Dr. Liu.

---

Their First Car

Oballs are easy for 6-month-olds to grab while they’re working on their pincer grasp and grip strength. This toy is an Oball, car and rattle in one.

---

Best Bath Toys For 6-Month-Olds

A Simple And Inexpensive Toy They’ll Play With For Years

Never underestimate kids and their desire to play with cups. “Stacking cups are one of my favorite toys to promote development. Babies can work on fine motor and problem-solving skills by learning to stack the cups, and caregivers can promote problem-solving skills by playing hide-and-seek with different-sized cups,” said Dr. Chamorro. They’re fun to play with in and out of the bath and are BPA-free.

---

A Bath Toy That’s Easy To Clean

This bath toy easily fills with water and then sends down rain showers when your 6-month-old picks it up. Traditional squirting bath toys develop mold easily, but this one comes apart for cleaning, so you don’t have to worry about mold buildup.

---

Best Educational Toys For 6-Month-Olds

A Finger Puppet Book

Don’t underestimate books when it comes to play for babies. This one incorporates finger play, music and animal sounds, all of which are sure to be a hit with 6-month-olds.

---

They’ll Play With This So Much, You’ll Know The Songs By Heart

Typically, I steer clear of overly electronic toys, but when a mom of a 6-month-old recently asked for toy recommendations in a moms’ group I’m in, this was by far the most recommended toy. It includes buttons, manipulatives, and it plays songs and sounds.

---

How We Chose The Best Toys For 6-Month-Olds

As a mom to three kids and a product reviewer specializing in parenting, I’m constantly researching and testing toys, both formally and informally. I used my own experience as a guide when deciding which toys to include (and which not to include). I also considered which toys are most popular, what the current toy trends are and which toys are most likely to engage 6-month-olds.

I spoke to four experts in the baby realm for this article as well: pediatric physical therapist Kaitlin Rickerd, PT DPT; clinical psychologist Dr. Charissa Chamorro, PhD; Dr. Esther Liu, MD, chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center; and Dr. Harvey Karp, a pediatrician and founder and CEO of Happiest Baby, maker of the Snoo smart bassinet. I spoke to the experts about why babies need to play, where 6-month-olds are at developmentally and how parents and caregivers can support their play and development.

---

What Toys Should My 6-Month-Old Be Playing With?

Dr. Chamorro recommends that babies play with toys in each of the following developmental categories: communication, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, problem-solving skills and social skills. She suggested toys such as blocks, baby books, stacking cups and mirrors.

What Toys Are Safe For A 6-Month-Old?

Young babies like to put just about everything in their mouths, so safety is incredibly important when choosing a toy for a 6-month-old. “The best way to know if a toy is safe and appropriate for your baby is to check the label,” says Dr. Karp. “All toys are age-graded based on choking or safety risks and the physical and cognitive skills a child needs to play with the toy. Make sure you avoid any small toys or toys with small parts. And, when you can, opt for toys made of natural materials that are phthalate-, PVC- and BPA-free.”

---

November 07, 2022

School systems across the area are beneficiaries of nearly $75 million in funding from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Center for Safer Schools.

Additional resources for teacher/staff pay, mental health services, and more collaboration with local law enforcement can help increase the sense of security for students, parents, and the community, state leaders said.

Local school systems received varying amounts from the grant. Surry County School will receive $327,171, Mount Airy City Schools were awarded $64,420, and Elkin City Schools were granted $36,666.

“Our public schools are community centers, cornerstones of our community and our democracy, where we bring all students together to live, learn, and lead,” Dr. Travis Reeves of Surry County Schools said at a 2021 ribbon cutting ceremony. “Our schools are dream centers that give our students and families hope for the future.”

Reeves said most of the funds coming to his system have been earmarked for additional School Resource Officers. What is not spent on adding to the SRO rosters may be used to enhance on campus security at schools across the system.

In budget funding requests earlier this year, Reeves identified the need to add a controlled access vestibule for campus visitors that directs guests through the front office as one of the best potential security measures.

He also noted all three high schools needed new telephone systems, intercoms, and fire alarm systems so when campus wide alerts are needed, they can be heard by everyone.

Some of these improvements have already been completed such as was the case when county elementary schools completed extensive renovations in 2021.

The National Threat Assessment Center concluded last year that SROs play an important role in preventing school violence. The report said, “In nearly one-third of the cases, an SRO played a role in either reporting the plot or responding to a report made by someone else.”

According to a Duke University study, approximately 79% of North Carolina schools had school resource officers assigned on at least a rotating basis in 2021. However, since 19 students were killed in the mass shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas in May, the nation has found itself asking again how such an event can occur.

Questions have been asked to superintendents and local law enforcement about what can be done to protect children in terms of physical safety measures above the use of SROs.

Surry County’s board of commissioners asked Reeves after the Uvalde tragedy if a solution may be to add retired military or law enforcement, armed or otherwise, to the doorways of schools. That was not the solution he said, and the board engaged in a conversation about the simple things that can be done such as ensuring doors close and are not propped open.

Generally being more aware of who is entering the campus and who can access the building itself may prevent another mass shooting and six o’clock news coverage of traumatized second graders sprinting from the schoolhouse.

“School safety is a top priority for the Department of Public Instruction as it is for students, families, educators – all of us,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt said in announcing the grant funding.

“It goes without saying that safety is an essential condition for effective teaching and learning. The Center for Safer Schools did a great job ensuring that each applicant received as much funding as possible to meet that critical need.”

“The School Safety Grant enhances schools’ efforts to keep our students safe,” said Karen W. Fairley, executive director of the Center for Safer Schools. “We’re thankful that we had the funding available to distribute, and we know it will go to good use.”

Wide reaching benefits

A total of $74.1 million will be distributed among 200 school districts and charter schools across the state and none were left out. The state announced that all the school districts and charter schools that applied for School Safety Grant funding for the 2022-23 school year received an award.

Yadkin County Schools were granted $581,216, Wilkes County $394,500, and Alleghany County will receive $96,331. Statewide, Stokes County was one of the biggest recipients of grant funding with their allotment being $1,611,000 ranking the sixth largest grant amount of the two hundred grant recipients.

Stokes finds itself in the mix with Johnston, Gaston, Davidson, and Duplin Counties as smaller, more rural, counties that received robust grant funding larger than that of counties with larger populations.

For comparison, Wake County received $659,867 and Winston-Salem Forsyth County $741,470. Of the $74.1 million in grants, only Buncombe County ($5.91 million) and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools ($2.89 million) received larger grants than Stokes County.

Since 2018 the School Safety Grant Program has distributed more than $120 million to school systems across the state. The aim has been to improve safety in public schools by providing grants for school resource officers, services for students in crisis, training to increase school safety, safety equipment in schools and additional school mental health support personnel.

Gov. Roy Cooper said the state has a role to play in increasing safety for students during budget negotiations. He felt that spending more on school safety was a winning proposition for all parties, “That’s what it is, investment in our children and our public schools, the people who teach them, the staff who are around them.”

“We want to prevent violent events from happening to start with,” Cooper said. “When you look at what our Constitution requires, a sound basic education for all children. Their mental health, their safety is all a part of that.”

The scissors, tweezers and
forceps are put through an autoclave machine which uses high
temperatures and pressures to kill microorganisms and
sterilise them, making it safe and hygienic for handling by
the metal recyclers.

Battery recycling is another
initiative popular with staff, which Jules says is
encouraging as anything to prevent batteries ending up in
the landfill is a good thing, not only for the fire risk
they pose.

“Batteries have a variety of recyclable
materials such as steel, nickel, manganese dioxide, zinc,
mercury, lithium, silver oxide and cadmium. However, they
can also contain flammable or toxic substances. So,
recycling batteries is not only an environmental safeguard,
but also a health and safety precaution.”

Old towels
no longer suitable for patient use are used as rags by the
engineers at Te Whatu Ora’s hospitals in Whāngarei,
Dargaville, Kawakawa and Kaitaia.

Jules says
Whāngarei Hospital’s laundry has very little waste which
is unusual. “Normally all linens sent to landfill, but
here they are recycled. For example, worn or torn bed sheets
are either sold to a rag manufacturer or, if suitable, cut
and resewn into bassinet sheets.”

Medical equipment
& clinical consumables that are no longer needed are
given to social enterprise Take My Hands to rehome to
hospitals in the Pacific Islands.

Other items recycled
include e-waste, plastic shrink wrap, fluorescent lighting
tubes, printer toner cartridges and shredded confidential
papers.

Cool tubs and ice bricks are returned to the
supplier to reuse, while biodegradable drug trays are given
to the SPCA for use with animals in isolation to reduce
cross contamination.

In addition, all food waste
generated while preparing patient meals is collected by an
MPI-approved pig farmer.

Jules says that while
recycling helps reduce waste to landfill, minimising waste
is even better than recycling it – “so we should strive
for no waste in the first place”.

“We’re always
looking at what other product stewardship programmes,
recycling and waste minimisation opportunities are around,
or where we can expand what we’re already doing. So, if
anyone has any suggestions, please let us
know.”

© Scoop Media

Join Scoop Citizen

Scoop is a champion of independent journalism and open publishing – informing New Zealanders through straight-talking independent journalism, and publishing news from a wide range of sectors. Join us and support the publication of trustworthy, relevant, public interest news, freely accessible to all New Zealanders:

Become a member
Find out more

 

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — USA for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and  BEARPAW, a global leader in fashion footwear for men, women, and children, announced today that BEARPAW donated 120,000 pairs of new winter boots to aid forcibly displaced people in Ukraine. The gift represents the largest donation of winter boots to UNHCR’s Winterization Ukraine Emergency Response. This donation is expected to cover 20-25 percent of the population’s identified needs. With the assistance of established UNHCR partners in Ukraine, the winter boots will be distributed to families in five regions across the country. 

“This donation doesn’t happen without dynamic, collective action and coordination among private sector and nonprofit partners,” says Ian Rodgers, Senior Director, Innovative Partnerships  & Strategy at USA for UNHCR. “As temperatures plummet in Ukraine, these winter boots are arriving just in time for families who desperately need them.” 

The principal motivation of humanitarian action is to save lives and alleviate suffering in a  manner that respects and restores personal dignity. Priority is given to the most urgent cases. Shelter support is lifesaving for people who have lost their homes, and UNHCR  provides essential items, including tents, buckets, blankets and sleeping mats. Yet, there is a  significant need beyond these core relief items — and protective footwear in the winter is  essential to staying dry and warm. 

“It’s amazing to know these boots will directly benefit Ukrainian families in need during this  challenging winter. Sacramento has one of the highest concentrations of Ukrainian immigrants in the country and as a Sacramento-based company, we are proud to support our community of friends, family and neighbors,” said Tom Romeo, Founder, and CEO of BEARPAW. 

Winter in Ukraine is harsh, with temperatures regularly dropping below zero. Low temperatures and heavy snowfall make daily life difficult, particularly for families who have been forced to flee their homes. USA for UNHCR’s strategic approach to private sector and nonprofit  partnerships has strengthened coordination with field operations to respond to areas where needs are most pressing. 

Humanity is the main driver for any response to a crisis. Following a request for children’s clothes and warm winter clothing, USA for UNHCR formed innovative partnerships with nonprofits to assist in the effort. The winter boots donation led to technical program support from My New Red Shoes (MNRS), a San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life and well-being of children and youth. MNRS coordinated more than 1,000 volunteers from Northern California to assist in processing cargo.

USA for UNHCR leveraged local and industry expertise to strengthen its emergency response. Through the creation of a new partnership with disaster logistics non-profit Airlink, the organization is better able to serve communities in crisis, forming a global logistics partnership. Through Airlink and their donor and digital freight forwarding partner Flexport.org USA for UNHCR received donated transport and logistics services to deliver the winter boots to Kyiv and Lviv, Ukraine. 

“We are delighted to be able to support the vital work of USA for UNHCR by helping to deliver  this critically needed shipment of winter boots,” said Steven J. Smith, President and CEO of  Airlink. “With winter rapidly closing in, the only way to provide at scale for the needs of the  Ukrainian people is by utilizing the resources and expertise of the private and philanthropic sectors; bringing those parties together is one of Airlink’s key roles, and I’m glad we could play our part.” 

Flexport.org donated transport and logistics services to deliver the winter boots to Kyiv and Lviv, Ukraine. Flexport.org also provided social and environmental impact tools, including calculating and offsetting 100 percent of the cargo’s CO₂ emissions through carbon offset credits. Partnerships with Airlink and Flexport.org are examples of how USA for UNHCR is improving  the humanitarian response’s collective impact and scale. 

“Continuing to fulfill the urgent needs for essential items in Ukraine is more important than ever,  as winter approaches and temperatures drop in the area,” says Susy Schöneberg, Head of  Flexport.org. “Partnerships across private and public sectors enable a more effective  humanitarian response, and we’re proud to be part of the collective efforts that USA For  UNHCR is leading.” 

Businesses interested in supporting humanitarian response efforts with gift-in-kind product  donations, please contact Ian Rodgers, Senior Director, Innovative Partnerships & Strategy at USA for UNHCR. 

About USA for UNHCR  

USA for UNHCR protects refugees and empowers them with hope and opportunity. Supporting  UNHCR – the UN Refugee Agency – and its partners, we provide lifesaving essentials including shelter, water, food, safety and protection. Around the world, we help refugees survive, recover and build a better future. Established by concerned American citizens, USA for UNHCR is a  501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit www.UNrefugees.org. 

About BEARPAW

Headquartered in the Sacramento, California area, BEARPAW was founded in 2001 by Tom Romeo with the goal of creating an outdoor lifestyle brand that encourages one to Live Life Comfortably. Warm boots, cozy slippers and rugged hikers by BEARPAW are made with the finest materials and the highest standards of craftsmanship. BEARPAW Cares stems from Tom’s passion for giving back to people in need and supporting environmental causes. Learn  more at http://www.bearpawcares.org.

About Airlink 

Airlink is a nonprofit organization providing free and heavily subsidized flights and air transport  for pre-screened nonprofits to deliver disaster responders and supplies in the wake of  humanitarian crises worldwide. Its network includes more than 130 aid organizations and 47 commercial and charter airlines. Its first mission was in response to the Haiti earthquake. Since its inception in 2010, Airlink’s airline partners have flown nearly 8,000 relief workers and transported more than 4,000,000 pounds of humanitarian cargo, saving nonprofits over $14 million in air transport costs. Airlink receives in-kind gifts from airlines as well as donations from organizations and individuals within the aviation sector. In 2020 the humanitarian aid Airlink assisted 5.5 million people in the aftermath of natural and man-made disasters.  For more information, please visit www.airlinkflight.org.

CONTACT: Rica Hermosura, [email protected]

SOURCE BEARPAW