City Boots was founded by a girl with a lifelong love of cowboy boots who, when joining the corporate world, found herself “jealous that the men could wear cowboy boots to work while I was stuck wearing heels and flats.” After designing a pair of classic, polished boots as appropriate for the office as they are for the ranch, Lizzy Chesnut Bentley decided to throw a photo on Facebook and see if anyone else wanted a pair. Orders started pouring in and City Boots was born.
Then last year, Bentley lost her husband suddenly, facing hardship like she’d never known before. Luckily friends, family, and customers rallied behind her, helping keep Bentley and her young business afloat. Recognizing the power of a helping hand during a time in need, Bentley announced today that she will be donating 100% of her profits from all boot sales this week (which marks the 1-year anniversary of her husband’s death) to Still Kickin’, an organization that provides string-free grants to people facing adversity.
Here’s the letter Bentley sent to her customers to announce her Still Kickin’ campaign:
When I lost my husband suddenly a year ago to natural causes, I knew it would change me for the rest of my life. I know now, more than ever, that health is not something to take for granted. I find it eerie that on the anniversary of William’s passing the entire world has had their lives turned upside down, and I see this as an opportunity for us all to band together.
When Will passed, I was lucky to have constant love, words of encouragement and care packages flooding in from my amazing customers, family, and friends. It helped keep me going and taught me the importance of community and support. I received cards and gifts from many of you I had never even met before. Talk about powerful!
In the days after my loss, I was also lucky
enough to find a support system, beyond my personal loved ones and caring customers,
among people who also lost their spouses at a young age through a woman named Nora Borealis (you can watch her Ted Talk on grief linked below). The more stories I hear, the more I realize how many people experience hardship and loss on a daily basis (more than just spousal loss), many of who have very little support, both financially and emotionally.
This pandemic has and will hit some harder than others, and during such a trying time for so many, I feel emboldened to give back.
I am proud of the community we have at CITY Boots, and if you find yourself in a position to help, I encourage you to look into the organization Nora started, one which I believe in.
It’s called Still Kickin’ and its mission is to provide string-free grants to people going through something terrible. Because when you’re going through something terrible, a little support goes a long way. And with that support we can all keep kickin’.
There are 2 ways you can give. For this week, in William’s honor, I am donating 100% of the profits from all boot sales to Still Kickin’, so with the purchase of a new pair, you’ll be helping those in need. You can also pledge a cash donation in the amount of your choosing to directly benefit the organization via our fundraising campaign here (no donation is too small, every dollar makes a difference).
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and considering the opportunity to give to a greater cause and support others who have experienced tragedy.
The Cowboy Channel’s Janie Johnson and Kirbe Schnoor both love wearing City Boots because they’re classy and chic, comfortable enough for all-day wear, and can be dressed up or down when on camera, at home, or in the barn.
