L.L.Bean Gives $500,000 to Town of Freeport, Maine, in Honor of the Company's 100th Anniversary
Freeport, Maine, May 19, 2011 – Last week, the L.L.Bean board of directors approved a gift of $500,000 to the Freeport Fields and Trails Project in honor of the company’s 100th anniversary.
"For 100 years, L.L.Bean has had excellent community relations in Freeport, where our company was founded and has flourished," says Company President Chris McCormick. "To commemorate that long-term relationship, we sought a meaningful gift for the town."
According to Nate Clark, who oversees L.L.Bean’s 100th anniversary efforts, the core focus of the 100th commemoration will be on getting outside and understanding and embracing the outdoor experience. "Throughout the celebration, we'll demonstrate our commitment to lifelong outdoor pursuits, the benefits they offer and the significance they will play for generations to come," he says. "It's also an opportunity to acknowledge and thank our stakeholders for standing by us and sharing these beliefs for the past century."
As is often the case in Maine communities, Freeport has had a shortage of recreational fields for young people. In response, the town has developed a plan for more playing fields near Hunter Road, as well as an outdoor recreation center and an interconnected trails system. The trails will link with an established system at Hedgehog Mountain, a project that L.L.Bean has also contributed to over the years.
"While we'll announce more gifts to celebrate our 100th anniversary over the next year, the timing for this gift is now," says Chris. "As we approach this significant milestone, it seems natural to support a project that will offer more young people and families the opportunity to spend time in the outdoors right here in our hometown of Freeport. Our company was built on a philosophy that outdoor experiences enhance our lives, and this project fits nicely with that philosophy."
The gift was announced to the town at this week's Freeport town council meeting to accommodate groundbreaking plans for next month. More details about this project and other components of the100th anniversary will be announced later this year.
About L.L.Bean, Inc.
L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multi-channel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. While its business has grown and changed significantly over the years, L.L.Bean still upholds the values of its founder and continues his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors. In the past 5 years L.L.Bean has donated over $10 million toward conservation and land stewardship. The 200,000 sq. ft. L.L.Bean Retail Store campus in Freeport, ME, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide on www.llbean.com, L.L.Bean Facebook, L.L.Bean Twitter and L.L.Bean YouTube.
Download corporate images via L.L.Bean on Flickr.
