Shoe manufacturer The Rockport Group has donated 5,000 pairs of sneakers and walking shoes to Massachusetts Emergency Medical Service workers. Rockport’s “Responders in Motion Initiative” is their way of thanking emergency workers on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic who are on their feet all day, every day risking their own health to help others. Rockport also donated 5% of April sales on Rockport.com to the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians Foundation.
Anthony’s of Malden became the staging site for the Massachusetts Ambulance Association to unload the 5,000 pairs of shoes. Cataldo Ambulance joined crews from multiple ambulance organizations across the state in unloading the 18-wheeler cargo and moving it, assembly line style, into Anthony’s banquet hall for storage and distribution staging.
“We are so grateful to Albert Spadafora of Anthony’s,” said Massachusetts Ambulance Association President, Dennis Cataldo. “He has repurposed his space so we can manage this really significant donation. His generosity will allow us to coordinate the packing and distribution of shoes to support crews across the 28 organizations of the Massachusetts Ambulance Association.”
“This is yet another instance of Malden businesses stepping up to the plate during this unprecedented time,” said Mayor Christenson. “I’m grateful to both Anthony’s and Cataldo Ambulance for assisting in this state-wide initiative.”