Apparel Retailer, The Buckle, Partners With Boys Town to Help Teenagers Overcome Serious Problems

For teenagers who are trying to overcome serious problems, having some new clothes can go a long way toward helping them move forward. That’s what makes the partnership between Boys Town and The Buckle so special.

The Need:

Boys Town provides care for tens of thousands of children and their families. Every child and family that comes to Boys Town has unique challenges and needs – from abused, neglected, runaway and delinquent youth, to families struggling with parenting skills, economic hardship, substance abuse, or marital issues.

“Buckle believes in the Boys Town mission to strengthen children, families and communities in America through programs that instill values of faith, safety and family engagement.”

With safety, permanency and well-being in mind, a focus of Boys Town’s programs is to keep children in their home or reunite them with their family when possible and safe. Often before that can happen, youth rely on Boys Town for medical treatment, intervention and assessment services, foster care, family homes, in-home family services, and community support services.

While financial gifts are a positive way individuals and businesses can support Boys Town’s mission, in-kind resources also play a significant role in helping Boys Town deliver life-changing care to those in most need.

A Fitting Partnership:

A little over eight years ago, after making a phone call, Judy Madison from Boys Town visited The Buckle’s corporate headquarters in Kearney, Nebraska.  She spoke to the folks at Buckle about Boys Town’s mission and the kids they help, and met with them specifically about Boys Town’s clothing needs. 

As stated on its website, “Buckle believes that good business starts with good people doing good and giving back, as this drives the fundamentals of success.  We set our goals high when it comes to the well-being of our teammates, guests, and their communities”.  As a leading retailer of medium to better-priced casual apparel, footwear, and accessories for fashion-conscious young men and women, The Buckle’s belief in corporate social responsibility along with their supply of clothing was a perfect fit for Boys Town’s needs.

Ever since that meeting, The Buckle team has worked very hard in their warehouse to pick out just the right clothes for kids at Boys Town, donating clothing to the Boys Town Clothesline, which is a place where kids in need can go to find new outfits for school.

“They have a heart for our kids and enjoy seeing their items sent to our organization.  It also makes our kids feel special to know that a company like the Buckle cares about them,” says Judy Madison. “This partnership has been very beneficial to our kids on campus.  Having nice things to wear gives our kids confidence and also helps with the healing process.

Boys Town wants to help kids learn the skills they need to become happy, healthy citizens. While The Buckle’s in-kind donation of clothing has helped with Boys Town’s clothing budget, something even greater has resulted from this partnership.

A lot of kids being helped by Boys Town have never had clothing so nice as the apparel donated by The Buckle. “When we see kids walk out of the Clothesline with happy smiles and feeling good after getting free clothing they can call their own, they feel a sense of belonging and happiness. When children look good, they feel good and it helps with their self-esteem in every aspect of their healing process,” says Madison.

Boys Town’s founder, Father Flanagan, once said, “When you help a child today, you write the history of tomorrow.”  Boys Town is proud to partner with several generous organizations that share that belief, including The Buckle. If your company is interested in changing the way America cares for its children and families, contact Boys Town about how you can best work together as a corporate sponsor or supporter.  Support can come in the form of in-kind donations, financial support, or by featuring Boys Town in your employee-giving program.

To learn how your company can feature Boys Town through an employee giving program, contact America’s Charities and learn more about our workplace giving solutions at: https://www.charities.org/social-responsibility-employee-engagement-solutions