OrthoLite CEO Glenn Barrett Honored for Enduring Philanthropy in the Footwear Industry

Congratulations to OrthoLite’s very own founder and CEO, Glenn Barrett! Glenn is being honored by the Two Ten Footwear Foundation with the A.A. Bloom Memorial Award.

The A.A. Bloom Award recognizes an individual who has given greatly to the Two Ten Footwear Foundation through his or her initiative, hard work, dedication, and unselfish actions. What’s especially poignant about this humanitarian award is that it honors someone who works tirelessly to further the mission of Two Ten, even if much of that effort is behind the scenes.

Sounds like our Glenn. When it comes to doing the right thing, he rolls up his sleeves and gets it done.

“I am humbled to receive this honor,” said Glenn. “The shoe business has been very good to me. It’s important to recognize when you are fortunate and to give back.”

The Two Ten mission that Glenn works so diligently toward is to support and unite America’s footwear industry. The Foundation serves around 200,000 industry workers via programs and services designed to improve their lives and long-term security. The A.A. Bloom Award is named in honor of the foundation’s founder, and was first awarded in 1969.

“Glenn has answered countless calls to action in support of individuals in our industry

—generously sharing time, expertise, and financial assistance to footwear families in crisis,” said Shawn Osborne, President and CEO of Two Ten Footwear Foundation.

We may have blogging privileges revoked for sharing info that Glenn would have otherwise kept quiet, but we’ll take the risk because it reflects his commitment and his generosity. At the peak of COVID in 2021, Glenn and his wife, Midge, donated $500,000 via the Two Ten Crisis Relief Fund. At the time, 60% of the industry was furloughed or laid off due to the pandemic. The funds provided immediate relief to those facing insurmountable financial hardship.

Officially, Glenn was announced as the honoree in August 2021, with an award ceremony to follow that December. COVID derailed that plan. Glenn received the award at Two Ten’s 81st annual gala on June 6, 2022 at Pier 60 in New York City.

Glenn explained, “Two Ten is such a unique and wonderful organization that perfectly suits our close knit industry. It started in 1939 when a bunch of salesmen in Boston passed a hat to help fellow workers in need. And it’s pretty much how the Foundation works to this day. It’s an opportunity to give back to our own and to take care of one another. It provides a direct pathway to support the great sphere of people I’m lucky enough to work with.”

Well said, sir. We’re proud of you.