Nike is donating $5.5 million worth of sneakers and apparel products to healthcare workers in the US and Europe

• Nike plans to give away $5.5 million worth of products to healthcare workers in the US and Europe in recognition of their efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
• The retailer giant said on Monday it will donate 32,500 pairs of its slip-on sneakers, the Air Zoom Pulse, to frontline healthcare workers and to the US' national healthcare system for veterans.
• Nike plans to team up with US-based non-profit Good360 and other local organizations in Europe to handle distributions of the sneakers to healthcare systems.
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Nike said on Monday it plans to donate 140,000 pieces of footwear, apparel, and equipment to healthcare workers across the world in gratitude for their efforts to control the coronavirus pandemic.

In its latest response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Oregon-based fitness-apparel manufacturer said its effort leads with messages of gratitude to healthcare professionals in recognition of their physical and mental resilience.

Nike also said it will be donating 32,500 pairs of its Air Zoom Pulse — a comfortable slip-on shoe designed for those who work on their feet all day — to "healthcare athletes" in the US and Europe.

The fitness retailer is teaming up with its non-profit charity partner Good360 in the US and other local organizations across Europe to distribute their Air Zoom Pulse sneakers that were launched late last year.

America's national healthcare system that provides services to veterans, the Veterans Health Administration, will also receive the Nike sneakers from Good360.

In addition to the sneakers, Nike also plans to donate innovative products that can meet the immediate needs of healthcare workers, such as Dri-FIT t-shirts (with sweat-wicking properties), soccer socks with compression features (that help relieve swelling of feet, ankles, and legs) and other essentials.

In all, Nike's donation is worth more than $5.5 million in value.

Separately, the retailer said it has already donated 1,100 Nike Sportswear kits — which include a drawstring bag, water bottle, hat or headband, and socks — to healthcare workers in New York. Across Europe, the company donated nearly 4,000 pairs of shoes and more than 3,500 pieces of Dri-FIT apparel to hospitals and shelters.

In its endeavour to support Covid-19 effort responses, Nike's leaders, employees, the Nike Foundation, and the company itself have committed more than $25 million, it said.

Late in March, the company said it would remain temporarily closed around the world for the continued safety and well-being of its employees and customers.

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