$5 million. That’s the amount of medical debt owed by veterans across the nation that global apparel and footwear brand Born Primitive paid off on Veterans Day.
“Financial distress is a major contributing factor towards veteran suicide, which is something that plagues our veteran community. No one deliberately plans to incur medical bill debt, but it can absolutely crush a family and add to the burden they are already carrying, " said Bear Handlon, co-founder/CEO of Born Primitive and former Navy SEAL lieutenant.
In August, the company paid off $2.5 million in veteran medical debt and upped its goal to $5 million in time for Veterans Day,
"We wanted to leverage our platform here at Born Primitive to help those who raised their hand and took an oath to defend our country,” he continued. “The raw, unapologetic patriotism embodied in our Freedom Capsule was our way of bringing attention to this cause in order to help reach our $5 million goal."
To reach the goal, the company pledged tall sales proceeds from its website for a 96-hour period from Nov. 8 to Nov. 11.
As part of the campaign, Handlon said the company launched two limited edition versions of their training shoe, the Savage 1. Each limited edition design pays tribute to enduring icons of American freedom, which were born during the American Revolution.
The Savage 1 Betsy Ross Edition sourced its design inspiration from the early incarnation of the American flag, emblazoned with red stripes and a circular star pattern. The Savage 1 Don't Tread On Me Edition is reminiscent of the coiled rattlesnake symbol paired with the "Don't Tread On Me" statement that was created by Brigadier Gen. Christopher Gadsden then defiantly unfurled on the mast of the USS Alfred during the American Revolution.
Born Primitive partnered with ForgiveCo to execute the debt payoff initiative. No applications are needed and veterans selected for relief will be notified through ForgiveCo's random acts of kindness model.
"Too many hardworking American families are strapped with medical debt, including an unacceptable amount of veterans," said Craig Antico, founder and CEO, ForgiveCo. "Instead of hearing from another debt collector, hundreds of military families will receive a letter from Born Primitive and ForgiveCo indicating their debt has been wiped away. Since these veterans can't apply to have their debt relieved, this unexpected act of kindness is truly a life-changing miracle."
Handlon said he called a Marine veteran on Nov. 10 - the Corps’ birthday - to let him know his $183,000 medical debt was taken care of.
“When you get to do things like that, it’s because our customers get behind us,” he explained. “It gave me goosebumps. Its so cool to see everyone rally around a cause.”
Currently, the apparel and footwear brand offers over 1,200 products featuring a collection of athletic and lifestyle apparel for men and women including fitness apparel, athleisure, tactical, outdoor/hunting, swimwear, denim, active professional, performance footwear and more.
For more information and to shop the cause visit here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.