SuburbanCares® Partners With Two Charities Making A Big Difference

300 children will start the school year with new shoes through the SuburbanCares® initiative.

Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. collaborated with Shoes 4 the Shoeless, a Dayton, Ohio-area nonprofit to provide 300 students at the Rosa Parks Elementary School in Middletown, Ohio with new, properly-fitting shoes. The organization set up a pop-up shoe store in the school’s gymnasium with a variety of sizes and styles of shoes for students to choose from.

“Spend a day in another’s shoes and find humility. GIVE another shoes to walk in and find humanity. The City of Middletown is grateful for Suburban Propane’s partnership with Shoes 4 the Shoeless here in our city to help spread the precious gift of humanity and enable these children to pursue their own happiness, one step at a time,” said Mayor Nicole Condrey, City of Middletown.

“We are so grateful to be able to continue to help kids in need in our community,” says Jonathan Hauge, Director of Engagement & Fundraising, Shoes 4 the Shoeless. “Things as simple as proper fitting shoes and socks can make a world of difference to a child living in a difficult situation. Being able to fit them in a new pair of sneakers is important in boosting kids’ confidence, so they can put their best foot forward this school year.”

In addition, Suburban Propane collaborated with Camp Cole, a Columbia, SC-area camp retreat facility to provide a variety of adaptive sporting equipment. This equipment will provide significant aid in the development of a new recreational complex for campers to enjoy year-round. Volunteers from Suburban Propane’s local offices assembled the equipment, painted kindness rocks to beautify the area and painted four square courts in the golf cart parking spots beside the cabins.

Eastover, South Carolina Mayor Philip Gunter provided his thanks on the collaboration, “I want to express my great appreciation to Suburban Propane for making such a generous contribution to Camp Cole,” said Mayor Gunter. “Suburban Propane recognizes the incredible reward that sporting equipment provides for year-round campers facing challenges that are adaptive and inclusive across all ages. It means a lot to give that kind of support for our Camp Cole community, and we’re enormously grateful.”

“We are humbled and honored to work with so many incredible organizations that are truly making a difference in their communities,” said Nandini Sankara, Spokesperson, Suburban Propane. “Camp Cole’s mission is to create a place for others to shine and we hope our donation efforts will do just that, allowing campers to experience and enjoy recreational activities during what may be a difficult time in their lives.”

“With the help of Suburban Propane, Camp Cole is able to purchase adaptive and inclusive equipment to help children, teens, and adults participate in the transformative camp experience. Furthermore, campers will be able to engage in team building and beneficial sports games and activities,” states Founder & Executive Director, Kelsey Carter.

In addition to representatives from Suburban Propane and Camp Cole, State Senator Thomas McElveen (D-35) was also able to be in attendance and take part in the activities.

“Today’s event is a fantastic example of how businesses can positively impact the community in a really meaningful way,” said Senator McElveen. “Camp Cole’s mission to provide a much-needed respite for those facing physical, mental or emotional challenges will certainly be amplified by Suburban Propane’s generous donation and volunteerism, and I am so pleased to be part of today’s efforts.”

The collaboration with Shoes 4 the Shoeless and Camp Cole is part of Suburban Propane’s SuburbanCares® corporate initiative which is dedicated to supporting community efforts across the company’s footprint in the United States. This year, Suburban Propane’s SuburbanCares® Corporate Pillar is undertaking initiatives to help children in numerous underserved communities; including Albany, NY; Detroit, MI; Philadelphia, PA; Santa Fe, NM; Santa Rosa, CA; Columbia and Charleston, SC; Detroit, MI; New Brunswick, NJ; and has fed healthcare professionals in some of the most COVID-19 affected regions in the nation; including Florida, California, Texas, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Washington, DC.