SnowSports Industries America’s Hurricane Sandy Coat Drive

SnowSports Industries America, the trade association representing suppliers, retailers, and sales reps in the snow sports community, is organizing children’s winter clothing donations for the New York City-based charity Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) to help those still feeling the effects of Hurricane Sandy. The drive runs through February 21, and donations will be collected at SIA’s Snow Show next week, the group announced  (opens in a new tab) Tuesday.

The October superstorm that destroyed wide swaths of several northeastern states brought an outpouring of support from organizations around the country, including associations. Almost three months later, many families are still in need, although the story has retreated from the headlines.

As the number of donations (and temperatures) plummeted after the holidays and into the new year, SIA sought a way to connect its members with a group that was helping children in the affected area.

“We found K.I.D.S. and asked if we could consolidate our donations and get it out to them,” said Ingemie. “What this does is it opens up the ability for a small retailer in Maine or in Seattle to be able to contribute to the relief efforts. We can have a retailer in send us one jacket or two hats, and that’s perfect.”

SIA reached out to roughly 4,000 member companies and 2,000 sales reps to ask for donations of any kind. Ingemie personally crafted the email message.

“That’s what I find always works, as opposed to some website or standard press release,” he said. “It’s a letter from me saying, ‘Guys, I need a jacket, I need a hat.’”

The letter was also included in a newsletter that was sent out to SIA members.

“All of us are sensitive to [events like Hurricane Sandy] as individuals and companies, but it wears out after a couple of months, and people forget about it,” said Ingemie. “But here is a perfect example of how associations can be effective. We are a group of individuals working together, not just in our own industry, but in a crisis situation where a response is needed.”

Has your association pulled together resources in your industry to help those in need? Tell us about it in the comments.