Vermont's Outdoor Industry Pivots to Community Response

Many of Vermont's outdoor recreation economy businesses are leading the way in the COVID-19 medical and community response through direct support. VOBA recognizes the following Vermont businesses and non-profits for making a difference. 

Burlington-based J skis and another entrepreneur created a website to connect makers, medical professionals, and designers on needs for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). “This has to do with trying to help people, which is not always what you have an opportunity to do in business … People have capabilities that they don’t realize and are able to help,” says owner Jason Levinthal.

Burton Snowboards, based on Burlington, has donated half a million KN95 face masks and has pivoted to manufacturing 500 face shields a week. Read more in Forbes where board chair Donna Carpenter states, “It’s an honor to be able to quickly mobilize Burton’s supply chain to help the doctors, nurses and other selfless professionals who are saving lives right here in the Northeast.” 

Vermont Glove is using its manufacturing facility in Randolph to make 3,000 protective masks in a partnership challenge with VTDigger to donate to the health care community. "We saw the opportunity to try to help out in a time of need for the industry that is in a shortage," says owner Sam Hooper.

Skida, based in Burlington with sewers in the Northeast Kingdom, has pivoted to the production of masks, donating 300 to frontline workers. States the company, “We all still need to stay home as much as possible ... We understand that wearing masks will become a more regular part of our routine and we want to make sure you feel covered, comfortable, and expressive while adapting to this new normal.”

Concept2 which manufactures rowing machines and athletic equipment in Morrisville has used its manufacturing connections in China to buy half a million procedural medical masks to donate to local health care entities and the state. Read more in VTDigger.

Orvis, with corporate offices in Sunderland, has shifted embroidery work in its Roanoke, VA facility to produce 2,000 face masks a week for the homeless in partnership with emergency nonprofit organizations. As quoted in SNEWS, Ken Smith, vice president of customer operations, says, “The impact of this pandemic on our communities is heartbreaking, particularly the impact we are seeing on the homeless. We’re proud to help.”

Darn Tough Vermont donated 10,000 pairs of socks to Vermont hospitals. "We manufacture one thing - socks," says Ric Cabot, president and CEO of Darn Tough Vermont. "We are honored to contribute what we uniquely can, and show our appreciation for some of the toughest Vermonters. We're all in this together."

Killington Resort provided 700 community members with grocery bags of food and provisions such as meats, vegetables, Thomas Dairy milk, Vermont Farmstead cheese, eggs, produce, and breads. As reported in VT Ski+Ride, “When we realized farmers were having to dump their fresh milk because demand was low with schools and restaurants closed, we saw an opportunity to support them and the greater community,” says Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort. “We feel fortunate to be able to assist and help our farmers and local community during these hard-hitting times.”

Stowe-based travel and booking company, Inntopia, built a free custom website for Goggles for Doc, which has resulted in the donation of close to 30,000 pairs of goggles to health care workers without eye protection. Read more here and here in Vermont Ski+Ride. Julbo Eyewear, based in Williston, and Anon Optics (a subsidiary of Burton) were among the Vermont brands that made significant donations.

When the gear of employees at Sugarbush Resort (Alterra Mountain Company) was stolen days after the resort closed in March, Vermont Ski + Ride launched an online campaign that raised close to $6,000 and facilitated the donation of replacement gear by several Vermont brands - J Skis, Burton Snowboards, and Julbo Eyewear. Read more in Powder.

UnTapped in Richmond has added an e-commerce option for customers to identify a local sports nutrition retailer to receive 20% of the purchase. The company states, "Beyond being integral parts of their communities, our retail partners are a critical part of the chain to get information and product to you - we all have an interest in maintaining our local brick and mortar retail stores."

Kaden Apparel, based in Burlington, is donating 15% of website sales through April 25 and matching it dollar-for-dollar for the Vermont Foodbank’s COVID-19 Hunger Relief Fund. As Chelsea Camarata puts it, "Everyone can make a difference, even small brands."

Craft Sportswear, with administration located in Underhill, is supporting the #SaveYourLocalGearShop campaign with a Local Retailer Support initiative. Customers placing an online order can designate their favorite local retailer at check-out and 20% of the retail sale will go to the designated retailer.

100% of the profits from Velocio's Unity jersey will support non-profit organizations working to stem the impact of COVID-19. "This kind of giving has always been a part of the brand's DNA but it feels especially important given the current crises impacting friends around the globe and here in Vermont," states co-founder Andrew Gardner from Middlebury.

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sport creatively turned their annual charity ride into a virtual ride that runs through June 20 and seeks to raise $300,000 for athletes and programs. 

The Catamount Trail Association has launched "an effort to help us all stay connected and motivated during these crazy times, and maybe do a little good." The Shelter In Pace: Virtualtramaraton is a virtual event fundraiser in which proceeds support the Vermont Community Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund.

Outdoor industry collaborations are springing up across the country, including the Outdoor Gear Builders of WNC and the North Carolina Outdoor Recreation Coalition which launched the Supply Connector, a national marketplace to connect brands making PPE with essential providers in need.