Havaianas (pronounced ah-vai-yah-nas) is not just a world-wide phenomenon that has made footprints around the globe, but has also empowered Project Happy Feet to make footprints of change.
The company, whose flip flops are one of the most iconic and successful products of Brazil, has pledged 100 pairs of flip flops to Project Happy Feet for them to be presented to underprivileged kids in Cambodia as gifts.
In support of the first-ever Project Happy Feet Slipper Race, Havaianas has also given each registered participant a voucher to knock-off $5 from any purchase made at any of their four outlets islandwide. There’s also a ‘treasure hunt’ along the race route where registered participants may find and keep one of 100 pairs of Havaianas slippers.
As if that’s not enough, store assistants of Havaianas Plaza Singapura have also chipped in to help Project Happy Feet give out the race tags from 4 to 11 November.
When asked why Havaianas is stepping in so strongly to support Project Happy Feet, Marketing Manager Rachel Ang says: “The advocacy of Project Happy Feet is a natural fit!”
“Firstly, Havaianas core products and expertise are for the human soles so the event and cause is particularly apt and relevant for us and our staff, who contribute to what we do best – excellent footwear, and taking care of consumers’ soles and soul!” Rachel explains.
“The project’s philosophy of making footprints of change and empowering lives align perfectly with the Havaianas brand aspiration of being happy, caring and sharing with mankind in simple, grounded ways benefiting everyday life. At Havaianas, spreading and giving the positive spirit of ‘love’, ‘happiness’ and ‘optimism’ is very much in line with the core values of this project.”
“For most people, the humble slipper is just another basic part of an outfit and one of many pairs of footwear owned, but to these kids, these flip-flops are gifts that cannot be taken for granted. They represent steps to the future and hopes for a better tomorrow. Havaianas aims to bring happiness to everyone it touches. We hope that by supporting Project Happy Feet, we are able to make meaningful footsteps in touching the little lives in Cambodia and Vietnam.”
“Project Happy Feet is an excellent initiative and humanitarian project that has such universal appeal, and it easily touch people’s hearts. Together hand in hand, we provide underprivileged children the chance to own a pair of slippers that is in good condition, and enhance their well-being, as they tread long distances everyday, for example to reach their schools to receive basic education. We are excited to contribute and support the good work of Project Happy Feet in making footprints of change to benefit these children.”
Other staff members were just as thrilled about the project. As a matter of fact, the entire staff from the HQ will be in full attendance at the fundraising event, together with their families.
“We are excited to be part of this meaningful event,” says Ng Shieh Li, Marketing Executive.
“This is a perfect bonding activity for us as we are all coming together to help for a good cause, and we contribute in a way that we are most familiar with and good at,” shares Mylin Mandap, Finance & HR Supervisor.
“Being part of Project Happy Feet shows me how the simplest act of giving and wearing a flip-flop can actually bring smiles to the faces of underprivileged children, and mean so much in helping to improve lives,” says Yvette Chee, Regional Operations Manager.
Over at the Havaianas store at basement 1 of Plaza Singapura, staff members were excited to meet and greet registered participants coming by to collect their race tags. Though this meant more work for them, they saw meaning in playing this role.
“We feel privileged to be able to play a direct role in this meaningful project that relates to our everyday core job – focusing on people’s feet!” says Lavynia, Store Supervisor.
“This has some similarities to our everyday work, but knowing that my contribution may make a lot of difference and joy to other lives, makes me feel good. Because it is so meaningful, I’m more than happy to be assigned this responsibility, which takes little effort in comparison to the everyday hardships that the underprivileged children face. With every race tag given away, one child is benefiting from this activity!”
“I want to be able to give away as many race tags as possible, as it means giving more hope to these needy children.”
Project Happy Feet thanks the staff members of Havaianas for their strong support!
