The Daily - January 26, 2022 - 24

COURTESY NEPTUNE MOUNTAINEERING, COURTESY STATE FARM
FEATURE
Neptune
Mountaineering
OUTDOOR INDUSTRY
CHIPS IN FOR KENTUCKY
TORNADO VICTIMS
Neptune Mountaineering
wasn't the only outdoor store
stepping into action to aid
natural disaster victims this
winter. Back East in Bowling
Green, Kentucky, Nat's Outdoor
Sports-located just a
mile away from homes and
businesses completely destroyed
by the December 31
tornado-was also quick to put
its industry position to use by
soliciting donations for relief
efforts.
" I started calling vendors the
Monday right after the tornado
struck, " says owner Lisa
Martens, whose father founded
the bike shop and outdoor
store in 1971. " I just started
thinking, 'What can we do to
help?' We're in our 49th year,
so there are a lot of companies
who we've dealt with for years
and years. "
Those partners were quick
" WE'VE SEEN THIS TIME AND TIME AGAIN
IN THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY-RETAILERS
AND VENDORS WORKING TO HELP THEIR
COMMUNITIES WHETHER IT BE FLOODING,
TORNADOS, OR HURRICANES. "
-BOB WADE
donate clothing, sleeping bags,
gloves, hats, socks and more, utilizing
Black Lab Sports' 501(c)(3) Flywheel
Project to receive donations.
" It shows that our outdoor community
is one big family, " says Bush,
adding they're planning to host an
event on Feb. 12 to distribute the
gear. " We rely on those who have
supported our businesses and brands
over the years, and this is our chance
to give back when they need it most. "
Brands donating include Alp-nRock,
Atilect Studio, Big Agnes,
Black Diamond Equipment, Dynafit,
Evolv, Farm to Feet, Fjällräven, La
Sportiva, Me Biosciences, Mountainsmith,
Nite Ize, Outside Inc.,
Picture, Pomoca, RovR Products,
Salewa, Sherpa Adventure Gear,
24
Spyder, Volcom, Wigwam, Wild
Country, and more.
The quick response time was
perhaps even more notable than the
generosity. " Most of the companies
we contacted scrambled and got us
an immense amount of clothing and
gear in a very short time window, "
adds store cofounder Bob Wade. " All
while everyone is short staffed, under
inventoried, and shipping is uncertain.
Some vendors even offered us
employees. We've seen this time and
time again in the outdoor industry-
retailers and vendors working to help
their communities, whether it be
flooding, tornadoes, or hurricanes.
I'm proud to be in this industry
that thinks beyond quarterly profit
reports. "
/ OUTDOOR RETAILER SNOW SHOW 2022
and eager to lend a helping
hand. Osprey donated more
than 100 duffels, suitcases,
and backpacks; Kuhl pitched in
more than 300 jackets; Columbia,
whose rep lives in Bowling
Green, donated clothing
samples; Big Agnes kicked
in sleeping bags; Toad & Co.
gave jackets and apparel; and
Grayl donated water purifiers
(which were taken to victims in
nearby Mayfield).
" We were looking for ways
to keep our aid efforts local, "
says Martens, adding
that the store worked with
the local Hope House chapter
and local schools to help
distribute the gear. " It was
all super useful gear, and all
the victims were incredibly
thankful. "
And the response from the
outdoor industry, she adds,
was fast and strong. " Everyone
we contacted was super
responsive, " says Martens,
who attends Outdoor Retailer
as a buyer. " Several reps even
reached out to us on their own
initiative. It just shows what a
great industry we're all in. "
The tornado's
aftermath in
Kentucky.
The Daily - January 26, 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Daily - January 26, 2022
