Celebrating Good Deeds: the December Sparkler of the Month

Sparklers is a monthly series that highlights those spreading light in the world. We’re celebrating good deeds and those who choose to shine in December 2019.  And since this month is all about generosity and giving, it’s the perfect time to shine a light on a company helping those without shelter to stay warm. Our correspondent Jillian Tangen shares the inspiring story of Bombas socks and company founders David Heath and Randy Goldberg, who have demonstrated the importance of something as simple as a pair of socks.

celebrating good deeds in December 2019

Every day, people choose to shine in ways large and small. These moments of grace and generosity don’t always get reported on, and unfortunately, they can be quickly forgotten. So we’re celebrating good deeds and kind acts in December 2019.  Because sometimes good news and kindness are the sweetest luxuries of all.

Each month, we shine a light on an organization or an individual spreading light in the world. Our Sparkler for the month? This December, we’re celebrating the good deeds of a sock company that’s driven by a purpose to help those in need. For working to improve the comfort of others, hats off to Bombas.

the december sparkler of the month: bombas

Oftentimes what we put on our feet – other than our shoes – is an afterthought. There are exceptions, of course. Such as when when go skiing or hiking and put on a pair of wool socks. Or when we don a pair of tights to go with a cute short dress. 

For some people though, a clean pair of socks is a luxury that can elevate their whole day.  And thanks to the upstart sock brand Bombas, more people in need are getting this simple product to help improve their everyday lives.

the origin story

Cult-favorite sock company Bombas was founded in 2013 when David Heath and Randy Goldberg saw a startling statistic on Facebook.  They learned that socks were the #1 most requested donation item in homeless shelters.  The pair realized that something they had never spent more than a couple of seconds thinking about could be seen as a true luxury for somebody else.

Inspired by the boom of other buy-one, give-one companies, like TOMS and Warby Parker before them, the pair sought to replicate a similar business with socks to help assist homeless shelters in need.

the mission

The result was Bombas, a company where for every sock purchased, a pair is given to a person in need. 

The company’s name comes from the Latin word for bumblebee. Bees are by nature an altruistic species that live and work together to make their world a better place. Much like how the brand itself aspires to be. As a result, inside each sock you will find the words “bee better”, as a reminder that small things (like socks and honey) can make a big difference in the world and in the comfort of others. 

On top of helping to solve the issue of homeless shelters having a shortage of sock donations, the pair wanted to bridge the gap between cheap multi-packs of socks that wear easily and are often uncomfortable and high-end niche technical socks that most people wouldn’t consider purchasing for everyday use.

After obsessive research and development, the brand was able to launch what they considered the world’s most comfortable socks.  And as avid wearers of the brand ourselves, we wholeheartedly agree.

how it works

Bombas socks solve common sock annoyances with unique engineering. It includes a honeycomb support system for more arch support. A blister tab on ankle socks. A Y-stitched heel. And “invisitow,” a hand-linked seam that eliminates the bump that otherwise runs across the toes of socks. 

So say goodbye to blisters, sore feet and your little ones complaining about their bunchy feeling toes.  And these features are available on every pair that they sell, from gym socks to dress socks in both classic colors and adventurous patterns for men, women and children alike.

And good to their mission, every time you buy a pair of Bombas socks, the company gives one pair of their super comfy socks to someone in need.  In fact, the company puts as much thought and care into the production of the donation socks as they do the pairs that they sell to consumers.

Bombas worked directly with their giving partners to engineer a sock that would specifically meet the needs of the homeless. For example, designing a sock to be darker to avoid less visible wear and tear. Adding an antimicrobial treatment to prevent the growth of odor and fungus, since these socks are not washed as frequently. And added reinforced seams for great durability, ensuring a longer lifespan.

The company doesn’t stop at just manufacturing socks either, Bombas and its employees are often also the volunteers at the 2,500 shelters and organizations, like the Bowery Mission and Hour Children.

impact

Initially Bombas’s goal was to donate 1 million socks by 2022. However, they have long since exceeded that first goal.  To date, the company is responsible for gifting nearly 25 million pairs of socks, all of which are specially designed to make the lives of the homeless at least a little bit more comfortable.

Thank you Bombas, not only for your amazing socks that keep our feet happy. But more importantly, for improving the comfort of those who need it most and at the most basic and necessary level. 

choose to shine

We’ll highlight one new Sparkler every month. If you’d like to nominate a person or organization, send us your suggestions!

In the meantime, we’ll take inspiration from those who choose to shine as we head into a new year. Let’s work to make it brilliant.

join our community

For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier newsletter here. And see luxury in a new light.

Jillian Tangen is the Head of Research at Dandelion Chandelier. Formerly, she was a Senior Research Analyst at McKinsey & Co and Analyst at Shearman & Sterling. She is an avid fan of Nordic design, having owned an independent lifestyle store and sales agency focused on emerging Scandinavian design. Jillian lives in NYC and is married with three young children. She loves cross country skiing, the New York Rangers, reading, travel and discovering new brands.

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