Brand Philanthropy Highlight: "Giving Back with Gratitude" at National

“Gratitude” may not be the first word that comes to mind when asked about 2020. Yet as we near the year's close, this Thanksgiving week, National Co. has been head-first in hands-on projects to help those in need, from our local community to children around the globe—and we are grateful to be able to do so.

It has been a decades-long tradition for National Co. to engage in philanthropic and charitable endeavors, especially around the holidays; and despite our setbacks of 2020, this year is no exception. Some examples:

Samaritan’s Purse

An International Relief Project that collects and distributes essential items to children in need. Volunteers traditionally fill shoeboxes to be flown to locations worldwide and distributed one per child. This year, National employees rallied to fill 38 shoeboxes with hygiene items, toys, clothing, and more.

Lynda Smith Swann, National Owner & President, Stands with Donations for Samaritan’s Purse.

Lexington Food Pantry

National’s employees have all pitched in to fill two large boxes with nonperishable food for local food pantries to distribute to the needy.

National Executives with Donations for Local Food Pantry.

Uncommon Threads

A non-profit, Boston, MA boutique founded by stylist and influencer Susan Kanoff. It doesn’t stop with providing clothing for low-income, disaster-affected and at-risk women; Susan goes above and beyond by employing her talent for fashion to style the donations with personal care, creating new looks and ideas that ultimately boost self-image, self-confidence, and provide new opportunities. National has teamed up with Susan and Uncommon Threads this season, collaborating with her professionally on social media and donating clothing to her charity, supporting a desire to help others as well as those women whom the clothing will impact beyond just fashion.

Uncommon Threads, a non-profit Boston, MA Empowerment Boutique.

Christmas Angel Tree

The Salvation Army’s holiday charity is an annual must at National. This year, employees chose twenty children and bought them their “wishlist” items. From clothes to shoes, sports equipment to a Barbiedoll Dreamhouse, no request went unanswered.

Gifts for Christmas Angel Tree Children at National's Headquarters.

American Children’s Home

National is currently running a week-long sale at their brick-and-mortar outlet, where everything is priced at just three dollars per item. One hundred percent of all sales will be donated to the American Children’s Home, the local orphanage where National founder Eddie Smith was raised.

Lynda Smith Swann Stands Outside of Lexington, NC Orphanage.

Eddie Smith left a practice of doing good in Lexington, and National continues to foster and pass along that culture. Throughout the uncertainty of late, helping others and spreading good is something we can all do, and be thankful for, any and every year.