April Foundation Friday

Lids Teammate Spotlight!

Spring has Sprung and the Lids Foundation has been busy renewing partnerships, collaborating with Lids HD, and preparing for a busy summer!

First we would like to kick off this newsletter with the announcement of our first ever Lids Teammate Spotlight!

Kyle Suggs

Kyle has been volunteering in his community for 9 years. Here is a little bit about Kyle and what he had to say about being chosen for the Lids Teammate Spotlight.

 

I’ve always believed in the importance of giving back, but what really got me started was seeing how even small efforts can make a real difference in someone’s life. My first experience was helping out with the youth sports groups and homeless in the community, and the gratitude I saw from people there really stuck with me. Since then, I’ve tried to stay involved with causes that matter to me—it’s a way to stay grounded, connect with my community, and be part of something bigger than myself.

 

My favorite thing about volunteering is the way it grounds me. It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of everyday life, but when I volunteer, I’m reminded of what really matters — people, compassion, and shared humanity. There’s something deeply meaningful about showing up for someone without expecting anything in return. I’ve had conversations that shifted my perspective, seen resilience in people facing challenges I can’t even imagine, and felt a kind of fulfillment that nothing else quite gives me. It’s humbling, and it’s helped shape who I am.

 

I’m incredibly honored and truly humbled to be chosen for the very first Teammate Spotlight in the Lids Foundation Newsletter. It means the world to be recognized in this way, and it’s even more meaningful knowing I had the opportunity to select a charity for a $1,000 donation in my name, courtesy of the Lids Foundation.

 

This moment is deeply personal, and I proudly dedicate this honor in memory of my late brother, Frank Suggs Jr., who was tragically taken from us without cause. Frank was more than a brother—he was a protector, an avid spiritual outdoorsman, and a fierce believer in equality. He lived with incredible heart and compassion, often choosing to spend time among the homeless—not because he had to, but because he wanted to walk beside them, listen, and understand. That was who Frank was at his core: someone who saw and valued every human being, regardless of circumstance.

 

In his honor, I’ve chosen CHIP – Coalition for Homelessness Intervention & Prevention as the recipient of this donation. Their mission aligns closely with the values Frank lived by, and I know he would be proud to support the work they do in our community.

Being able to give back through this platform is something I don’t take lightly, and I’m beyond grateful to be part of a company that values both its people and the communities we serve.

 

Thank you to everyone who continues to inspire, support, and push me to be my best—this spotlight shines not just on me, but on the people and memories that shaped who I am today.

Recent Events

March 28th – 29th was our Lids Hat Drop LA Store’s Opening, and we celebrated in a big way!

 

The Lids Foundation matched a portion of all in-store purchases made at the Lids HD LA Store from Friday, March 28th through Sunday, March 30th to donate to Good Sports’ Restore Play LA Fund. This fund will help to provide critical sports equipment, apparel, and footwear to LA Area youth who were impacted by the recent wildfires and help kids return to the sports they love.

 

To learn more about Good Sports visit www.goodsports.org

Partnership Updates

Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis

In January we renewed our partnership with Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis. For the second year in a row the Lids Foundation has fully funded the food cost for their Family Assistance Fund for families in their apartment shelter program for one full year.

 

Family Promise is a partnership of congregations and community organizations responding to the crisis of children and their families who are homeless. They work together to create a community where homelessness is rare, short lived, and recoverable.

 

Go to https://www.fpgi.org/ to learn more about what Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis does and how you can help.

Every Kid Sports

In December we continued our partnership with Every Kid Sports. EKS helps children from income-restricted families, offering them the opportunity to participate in youth sports programs that they might not have otherwise been able to afford.

 

The partnership between Every Kid Sports and the Lids Foundation will bridge the gap between financial limitations and sporting aspirations, enriching the lives of countless young individuals.

 

To learn more about Every Kid Sports go to www.everykidsports.org

Shoes That Fit

We are excited to announce our continued partnership with Shoes That Fit to bring shoes to 2,500 children in 5 different schools across the Nation.

 

Shoes That Fit’s mission is to tackle one of the most visible signs of poverty in America by giving children in need new athletic shoes to attend school with dignity and joy, prepared to learn, play, and thrive.

 

A new pair of shoes can be a life-changing event for a child. School attendance, self-esteem, and behavior improve. Physical activity increases. Smiles return. All from an often-overlooked item—a good pair of shoes.

 

To learn more about Shoes That Fit go to www.shoesthatfit.org