Newton Running was honored with the 2012 Glen and Mildred Robbins Leet Humanitarian Award from Trickle Up, an organization which provides investments and business training to the world’s lowest-earning people so that they can start small businesses.

Since 2008, Newton Running has donated to Trickle Up. Newton Running CEO Jerry Lee accepted the award—given to supporters who exhibit a commitment to the organization’s mission of alleviating poverty—on behalf of the footwear company at the annual Trickle Up gala in New York City in early April.

Lee, a self-made entrepreneur who grew up in a low-income household, worked his way up to become a successful real estate investor and later co-founder of Newton Running with Danny Abshire in 2007.

Newton Running’s Director of Social Responsibility (and Jerry’s daughter), Wendy Lee, traveled to war torn Guatemalan communities in 2009 with her mother, Donna Lee, witnessing the weaving businesses and bakeries that people had opened thanks to Trickle Up.

Newton Running customers can donate to Trickle Up with their purchase from NewtonRunning.com.