The company Côté-Reco and its POP Shoes banner presented a check for $42,000 to Leucan, with the support of Skechers.
Following the launch of the campaign: Taking one more step together for children with cancer and their families, POP Shoes and Skechers joined forces between September 7 and October 3, raising donations to support Leucan in its mission to assist families who have received a childhood cancer diagnosis.
Generous customers
As part of this campaign, $1 was donated to Leucan for every Skechers-branded product sold in one of the 80 POP Shoes stores in Quebec. POP Shoes also called on the generosity of its customers by promoting the Cocci-Donations initiative in all its stores. At checkout, customers were invited to add a donation to their bill by purchasing one of the cardboard ladybugs called "Cocci-Donations." All the ladybugs sold were then displayed in stores to showcase the generosity of the community.
The Skechers brand donated $1 to Leucan for each shoe sold.
A shaved head as a symbol of support
In mid-October, Côté-Reco, owner of the POP Shoes banner, presented a check for $42,000, the total amount raised during the campaign: Taking one more step together for children with cancer and their families. In addition to franchisees, store employees, customers, and its partner Skechers, members of the head office also strongly wanted to mobilize to contribute to the cause of children with cancer.
A lunch was organized at the company’s head office, located in Deschaillons-sur-le-Lac.
Taking one more step
In this spirit, a Leucan Shaved Head Challenge, presented by ProximMD was organized as the check presentation ceremony. Manon Rivard, Communications Director and Marketing Assistant, proudly took part and decided to put her hair up for auction to raise donations for the cause, but also to make a symbolic gesture of support on behalf of all members of the Côté-Reco family: "It was essential for me to also take one more step to join my voice to the cause of children with cancer and their families. So I decided to take on the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge and launch my campaign alongside it. It was such a rewarding human experience for me!" The event took place on October 14 in Deschaillons-sur-Saint-Laurent (Côté-Reco’s head office), respecting the health measures in place.
Manon Rivard agreed to put her head up for auction and raised over $2,000.
Family values
POP Shoes is part of the Côté-Reco banners, a franchisor expert in banner management and a distributor of shoes and clothing. The group stands out for its family values, rooted in the company’s history. It was founded in 1920 by the grandfather of the three Côté brothers, Michel, André, and Pierre, who are now the heart of the family business. POP Shoes’ approach is also shaped by these same values, with family as its target clientele. It was therefore natural for the company to partner with Leucan to support families going through a difficult chapter in their lives.
One of the three Côté brothers, André, said a few words before the check presentation.
About Leucan
Leucan has been committed for over 40 years to supporting children with cancer and their families. In addition to supporting clinical research, the Association offers its member families distinctive and tailored services: emotional support and accompaniment, financial aid, referral services, massage therapy, playroom activities in hospitals, social and recreational activities, awareness and support in schools, end-of-life and bereavement follow-up, as well as the Leucan Information Center.
Jacques Tremblay, Director of Major Gifts & Partnerships at Leucan for Northern Quebec and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.
About POP Shoes
POP Shoes was founded in 1985. At that time, Côté-Reco Inc. developed a group of independent merchants to achieve remarkable sales strength while creating a common image in the footwear sector. It features the biggest brands such as Nike, Adidas, Skechers, Clarks, Baffin, and a wide range of private labels that are trendy, comfortable, and sporty. POP Shoes is considered the largest group of owner-operated shoe retailers in Canada. No fewer than 82 stores are spread across the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick.
