Charles River Apparel, a Sharon, Massachusetts-based apparel supplier, received the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) 2013 All-Star Community Collaboration Award and was also named an honoree at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center’s annual fundraiser, The One Hundred. NSGA’s All-Star Community Collaboration Award recognizes companies that have gone above and beyond in their support of community activities, events or organizations, through financial assistance and direct participation. Mass General’s The One Hundred event honors 100 individuals and groups whose philanthropy and passion have helped advance the fight against cancer.
Charles River Apparel was recognized by both organizations because of the company’s efforts via their landmark Be Pink Proud. Through this program a portion of sales from the company’s pink apparel is donated to cancer support groups, most notably the Wellness Warriors. The Wellness Warriors is a Boston-based dragon boat paddling team introduces cancer patients and survivors to the healing joys of river paddling. The company is connected to rowing and paddling water activities, as numerous product names and mantras are derived from the sport of rowing.
Charles River Apparel provides the Wellness Warriors with financial assistance, team apparel, free office space and administrative and marketing support, and in 2012, the donation of a new pink dragon boat.
Charles River Apparel’s generous support of such programs stems from personal losses; Barry Lipsett, owner and CEO lost both his mother and sister (a long-time CRA employee) to cancer.
For more information, visit www.charlesriverapparel.com.
