Skechers donates a million masks

In partnership with various charitable organizations, the Californianshoe retailer Skechers USA Inc. plans to distribute a total of one millionface masks to those in need in the USA. For example, the United Way ofGreater Los Angeles organization ensures that some of the masks donated bySkechers have been distributed to health care workers and the homeless inLos Angeles.

The masks, which are non-medical, three-layer surgical masks, aredonated to nonprofit organizations that typically do not receive personalprotective equipment from government institutions, with an emphasis onthose in financial distress. These include community and public educationcenters, health and rehabilitation facilities, as well as homeless sheltersand food outlets in greater Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, Detroitand several cities in Florida and New Jersey.

The donation is the culmination of Skechers' TikTok challenge, whichinvolved dancing to YouTuber DripReport's song “ Skechers ” , filmingyourself and uploading the video to TikTok using the hashtag #danceformasksor #MillionMaskChallenge. Skechers promised to donate 10 masks for eachdance video. Since the challenge began in late May 2020, the song has beendownloaded over a billion times, allowing the shoe retailer to reach itstarget of one million masks with ease.

Skechers uses TikTok challenge as a drive

“We watched TikTok become a driving force that kept so many peopleconnected during this difficult time. After the viral success ofDripReports 'Skechers' on the platform, I knew we had to turn the momentuminto a give-back - one where the fans end up giving something back by justdancing. This is a wonderful thing and we look forward to working withUnited Way and all of our partners to donate a million masks as we want tomake a difference together, " commented Skechers CEO Robert Greenberg in arecent press release.

“ Two things flourished during the pandemic: creativity and caring.It's heartwarming to see fans from all over the world express themselves tohelp raise awareness alongside the charitable efforts of a local companywith global reach like Skechers. As the number of cases grows in thegreater Los Angeles area, United Way is proud to partner with Skechers todonate masks to help protect frontline workers and the most vulnerable inour community,” added Elise Bulk, United CEO Way of Greater Los Angeles.

The #MillionMaskChallenge had the support of influential TikTokers suchas Addison Rae, Loren Gray, Spencer X, Maiko, Avani and the Croes Brothers,who together have more than 350 million followers. They asked their fans tosupport the campaign and upload dance videos of themselves to the Skecherssong to support the mask donation.

YouTuber DripReport became known practically overnight with his debutsingle and only worked with Arista Records on the official release of hisfirst own song at the beginning of the year. “ From the beginning, I wantedto turn this moment into movement. Part of my goal with the track was toshow that anything you wear can be made cool and to convey a message aboutconfidence as opposed to material things. When I released 'Skechers' inJanuary, the world was very different. Now that the title has become sopopular, I am extremely pleased that Skechers and I have made it stand forso much more, ” explained Drip Report.

Photo: Skechers