We. Love. Boobies. And you know what? We’re pretty sure there are plenty of you out there who feel the same way. In fact, some people love boobies so damn much that there was a time when everyone was obsessed with wearing Boobies Make Me Smile bracelets in school, even to the point where some schools started banning them! Yep, you can thank us for that one. SORRY, NOT SORRY.
When this initiative began in 2008, these colorful rubber bracelets were all the rage and quite a few people got a giggle out of the word “boobies.” Was it the best reason to wear these bracelets? No, probably not—but that didn’t change the fact that buying these bracelets supported an amazing cause: the fight against young adult cancer through action, prevention, education, awareness, and support.
Well, we’re proud to say that the charity you love most is still going strong! In 2018 alone, the Boobies Make Me Smile Foundation raised over $1 million dollars, bringing the total amount raised thus far to over $5.3 million dollars—and 100% of the proceeds go to our partner organizations.
“These efforts have become personal points of pride. It speaks to the heart of the organization, that with our enthusiastic guests’ support, we can do good as part of doing well,” said Steven Silverstein, President, and CEO of Spencer’s.
So exactly how did such an impactful yet lighthearted fundraiser come to be? Inspired by an ad that highlighted the word “boobies,” Silverstein had an epiphany. “It immediately hit me that this line encapsulated the cause that Spencer’s could align with. We would support issues with breast cancer, but not the mainstream pink ribbon. We would talk about it from our point of view, more colloquially. We already had a t-shirt that we sold for many years, which featured a smiley face print that included the line, ‘Boobies make me smile.’ It all fell into place.”
From day one, Spencer’s mission was to get the word out on cancer issues impacting young people and raise money for those affected. “Most of the emphasis on cancer issues, including research and advances, was focused on the population most prone to the disease: middle-aged and above, so we wanted to shine a light on issues more relevant to our customers,” said Silverstein.
Silverstein and his team saw an opportunity to make a positive change in the lives of countless young people, and they went for it full force. Thankfully, the positive impact was almost instant. “It was electric. Stores and guests immediately responded. Actually, and incidentally, when we launched the first ‘I (heart) boobies’ campaign, it was a sensation. Kids were crazy for the bracelets and soon they were banned in schools, which made the campaign even more successful,” said Silverstein.
In recent years, Spencer’s has gained even more momentum by joining forces with Young Survival Coalition (YSC), F*ck Cancer, and Stupid Cancer to spread awareness and partner on critical communications. “We raise money on behalf of partner organizations, and every cent of the proceeds is passed on. We feel like and we know that we are making a difference. We are literally raising millions of dollars, one transaction at a time,” said Silverstein. It’s through these collaborative efforts and donations that we’re able to support research, education, and outreach to let our communities know that these organizations are a great source of support.
In addition to fundraising efforts, which have helped thousands of young people who have been affected by cancer, enabling associates to participate in such powerful company initiatives gives them a sense of comradery and purpose.
“Most of the money is raised in our stores. We allow and encourage the stores to embrace the programs, make them personal, and to add their own special touch. Honestly, the success of the program is a tribute to our thousands of associates, their ownership and their passion,” said Silverstein.
Although Spencer’s collects the majority of donations at the store level around Valentine’s Day and the Fourth of July, we also accept donations throughout the year thanks to our online BMMS Donation Page. And it doesn’t end there—the Spencer’s Army, which consists of several passionate store associates, volunteers their time at F*ck Cancer booths during music festivals from May through October to promote our cause and spread good vibes.
“The stores have great latitude in how they tell the story. It is personal. All of us are impacted by someone we know, if not ourselves. I have heard many testimonials,” said Silverstein. “It is every individual in the stores who makes BMMS a reality. It is part of the secret sauce of what has enabled Spencer’s to rise above over so many years.”
To learn more about our mission and partner organizations, be sure to check out our BMMS Donation Page and donate to an amazing cause today.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not only the boobies that make us smile; it’s the lives we help save that truly keeps smiles on our faces.
Want to show everyone that you’re making a difference? Take a picture of your bracelet(s), tag @spencers on Instagram or Facebook, and post them with the hashtags #BOOBIESMAKEMESMILE, #DYIN2LIVE, #THINKYOURETOUGH, #GETBUSYLIVING, and #JOINTHEFIGHT. You can even email the pictures to spencersblog@spencergifts.com, and we just might feature you in a future blog post!
About Spencer’s
For more than 65 years, Spencer’s has been selling unique and edgy lifestyle accessories. Founded in 1947 as a mail order catalog in Pennsylvania, the company opened its first brick-and-mortar store in 1963 and has since grown to more than 690 locations. Winner of Chain Store Age’s “Storefront of the Year,” Spencer’s sells t-shirts, accessories, jewelry, drinkware, and more.
