“Stay warm. Look cool. Give back.”
Are you familiar with TOMS’ One for One Shoes Policy? Their policy states that for every TOMS purchased, they will donate a pair to a child in need. There are many entrepreneurs who have developed a similar idea, including a local from Orem. Entrepreneur and student, Bill Rogers, has been looking for a way to give back to society and has combined his love for adventure movies with his love for his fellow beings to benefit humanitarian efforts.
Rogers is the President and CEO of LOTH hoodies, a company that makes an upscale hoodie with technical features and a long pointed hood that was inspired by fantasy and sci-fi books, movies and video games. LOTH stands for: Legend of the Hoodie, and it is designed in both Youth and Adult sizes. Calling it “the perfect adventure hoodie,” Rogers has managed to keep all of the manufacturing of the garment in the United States.
Rogers lived in Conklin, New York. His town was so small that his graduation class size was about 162 kids. Rogers came up with the LOTH hoodie idea in the summer of 2006. It was raining for 6 days straight, and Rogers recalls driving home with the river water pouring over the road. The next morning, he woke up to the sound of a house being blown up. Rushing outside, Rogers was surprised to see how sunny it was outside, and how much damage was done to his neighborhood because of the rain. Houses were floating down the river, homes were condemned, property was damaged or destroyed and Conklin had become a little island.
Rogers’ family was pretty lucky compared to other families with just water pouring out of their electrical sockets and a flooded basement. The population had to gather at a fire station without cars, food and beds. The next day, food, water, hygiene kits and other supplies were provided. There were also helicopters flying people away from the devastation, and everyone’s needs were immediately taken care of. It was then that Rogers decided that he wanted to give back as well.
Rogers’ three reasons for starting this company were to make cool hoodies, to support his family and to give back. LOTH donates 5% of every sale directly to humanitarian aid.I addition, for every 100th hoodie sold, 100% of that sale is donated.
LOTH’s slogan is: “Stay warm. Look cool. Give back.” Rogers came up with the idea because of how warm the hoodies are (the hoodies are made of a thermal knit on the outside and anti-polar fleece on the inside), how stylish and bold they looked, and his desire to give back.
Recently, LOTH Hoodies started presales at the Salt Lake Comic Con, which had a huge response from other fantasy fans. They also just launched a kickstarter page. Kickstarter is an all or nothing fundraising site. If the funds are not fully raised, then nothing is given to the company. The fundraising ended yesterday, on the 29th at 1:24pm, but if you still want a hoodie to participate in this movement, visit www.LOTHhoodies.com.
My name’s Michelle Ngo. I was born in Garden Grove, California. My family and I moved to Lehi, Utah about 8 years ago. I’ve always aspired to be an English Teacher because reading and writing were my favorite hobbies. I’ve read just about everything from Dr. Seuss to Shakespeare to Stephen King. Up until about a year ago, I’ve changed my major from English to Public Relations. I’m currently a sophomore, and I do plan on graduating from UVU. After graduating, I do hope to find an internship that I can pursue with my major.