Thanks to you, 2022 was our biggest year of giving back to the community we're passionate to serve: skilled trade professionals. Throughout the past November, we partnered with various local and national organizations to create limited-edition products and donate a percentage of the proceeds to trade-focused causes.
Helmets to Hardhats
On November 1, 2022, we released a limited edition Camo colorway of their M3 Woobie Hoodie with 20% of proceeds supporting Helmets to Hardhats. The Woobie Hoodie, a flexible, insulated Mid Layer, pays homage to military-issued poncho liners or “woobies.” Helmets to Hardhats is a national, nonprofit program that connects transitioning active-duty military service members, veterans, National Guard and Reservists with skilled training and career opportunities in the construction industry. No prior experience is necessary and comes at no cost to the veteran. In total, $10,449 was donated to benefit the federally-approved, earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship training offered by the program.
“Thank you Truewerk for your donation to the H2H program. This gives Helmets to Hardhats the ability to not only reach more veterans but change more lives,” said Helmets to Hardhats Executive Director, Martin Helms. “Our outreach to military service members helps clear away the clutter of dead-end jobs and allows us to connect them to middle class, family-sustaining career opportunities in the construction industry. We cannot thank Truewerk enough for their commitment to our nation’s military veterans and the Helmets to Hardhats program."
TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades)
We then turned to an organization in their backyard. Denver-based TACT, or Teaching the Autism Community Trades, is the only organization of its kind in the country. They provide strength-based programming in auto mechanics, carpentry, electrical, welding and more that lead to lasting careers with a job placement rate of 83.3% for their students. Coordinating with Truewerk ambassador and framing mogul Tim Uhler of Awesome Framers, we released a limited edition t-shirt on November 13 and donated a total of $3,400 to TACT’s programming.
Danny Combs, founder of TACT said, “The neurodiverse community has so much to offer, and TACT is so grateful for the support of Truewerk and Tim. The donation will directly support skilled trade training and education for the autism community. We'll be able to continue to lead in breaking the 90% unemployment cycle by further developing our student's strengths and talents and placing them into incredible careers!"
#KeepCraftAlive
For Giving Tuesday, we brought back our limited edition S4 Haun Vest for the second year, honoring the life and legacy of legendary carpenter Larry Haun. Author of “The Very Efficient Carpenter,” Larry Haun was passionate about making skilled trades education accessible to all. We worked with the Haun family and Fine Homebuilding to engineer the vest and benefit the #KeepCraftalive Scholarship Fund with SkillsUSA. With 10% of proceeds donated year-round and 20% on Giving Tuesday, $15,954 has been donated this year to support trade professionals looking to further their education in construction-related fields.
“We really value Truewerk’s partnership with Fine Homebuilding’s #KeepCraftAlive initiative. Not only does Truewerk’s support go directly to funding scholarships for folks interested in the trades, their values as a company around craft and empowerment are inspiring. Not to mention, Truewerk makes great gear for folks in the trades,” said Andrew Zoellner, executive director of Keep Craft Alive.
In total, almost $30k was donated from the products you love to trade organizations across the country. We couldn't do it without you, and sincerely thank you for helping us make a small impact in 2022.
