Thursday, 15 April 2021 12:34

Hydro Flask announces 2021 Parks for All Giving Programme grant recipients, boosting Parks for All contributions to over $1.9 million

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Press Release: Hydro Flask, an award-winning leader in high-performance, insulated stainless steel flasks and soft good innovations and a Helen of Troy Limited (NASDAQ: HELE) brand, is honoured to announce the recipients of its 2021 Parks for All grant.

The brand will donate more than $400,000 (£293,000) in grants to 15 non-profit organisations focused on building, maintaining, restoring, and providing better access to public parks and green spaces globally – amounting to a total contribution of over $1.9 million (£1,392,000) since the programme’s inception.

Hydro Flask Awards 2021Photo © Checkered Photography                                                                          

Hydro Flask launched its charitable programme Parks for All in January 2017 to support the development, maintenance and accessibility of public green spaces in the U.S. and beyond. To date, Parks For All has supported 122 non-profits, given over $1.9 million in cash grants and donated nearly 60,000 bottles. Through Parks For All, Hydro Flask also works alongside grantees in on-the-ground activities, digital and advocacy initiatives and social media campaigns promoting healthier, happier lives outdoors.

“Hydro Flask is proud to celebrate the significant work of our Parks For All grantees that ensures parks – from urban parks to national parks and beyond – get the resources they need, and also help everyone enjoy the benefits of the outdoors,” said Indigo Teiwes, Associate Director, Corporate Responsibility. “Since 2017, Parks for All has supported more than 41,000 people spending 375,000 hours experiencing the physical, mental and social benefits of time outside.”

Over the course of just four years, Parks for All programmes have accomplished the following:

  • 5,000 volunteers engaged (Parks for All program projects)
  • 34 miles of trails maintained
  • 350 workshops and trainings held

Additionally, Hydro Flask is committed to improving equity in outdoor access through Parks for All.  One of the programme priorities is directing a portion of funding to Black, Indigenous, People of Colour and Latinx-led organisations, as well as projects that expand park access for these and other historically marginalised communities. To date, these groups represent over 30 percent of Parks For All programme participants.

Through the 2021 grants, Parks For All is donating $263,991 (£188,000) to six U.S. national grantees and $75,000 (£55,000) to regionally-focused U.S. non-profits and $15,000 (£11,000) to Canadian organisation, The Alpine Club of Canada.

In Europe, two deserving organisations will receive grants of $25,000 (£18,000) each:

Surfers Against Sewage (UK)

Beaches provide a unique opportunity for recreation. Our oceans are a global resource. Last year, Surfers Against Sewage mobilized 73,000 volunteers to collect almost 105,000 kilograms of coastline trash in the United Kingdom during 1,300 beach cleanup events, all led by their inspiring network of Regional Reps. A $25,000 (£18,000) Parks For All grant will provide training to empower this group of dynamic volunteers for another year of inspiring leadership. 

“Despite the challenges we have all faced, we have seen record interest and engagement with our campaigns to protect oceans, beaches, waves and wildlife. With the generous support of Hydro Flask’s Parks for All initiative, we have trained and empowered our regional representatives to deliver marine conservation activity across the UK. As we head into our third year of partnership with Hydro Flask, we continue to expand our efforts, bringing diverse voices in and helping shape the future of the ocean together. United our voices truly create change.” Hugo Tagholm, CEO SAS.

Clean River Project (Germany)

It takes the work of many to restore and maintain outdoor spaces so everyone can enjoy them for decades to come. Parks For All’s inaugural grant in Germany will support the Clean River Project. A $25,000 (£18,000) grant will support kayaking volunteers who will collect trash from the Landwehr Canal, a waterway that runs through the heart of Berlin. The project gets residents involved, active and reconnected to nature in their backyard. 

"This year has shown how essential access to green spaces is to our health and wellbeing. At the same time, it became even more obvious how important the protection of our nature is for our future. Thanks to the generous support of Hydro Flask's Parks for All initiative, we are able to bring people from different origins together, working for the care and preservation of these natural areas and sharing a common mission which creates cohesion and friendship." Franziska Braunschädel, co-CEO Clean River Project.

To learn more about Hydro Flask Parks For All Grantees and a full summary of the exciting projects we are funding please visit, www.hydroflask.com/uk-en/parks-for-all.