The PHILANTHROPHY
True to their values and philosophy, Lago Apparel works with a number of non-profits and other helping organizations. “It’s a long list. We have supported New Beginnings, an organization that focuses on helping First Nations people in East Vancouver for over 20 years. We support a music school that offers free lessons to underprivileged kids. We supported a group that was sent to Haiti in 2004. There have been many organizations that we’ve given free t shirts and bags with their logo. We’re currently supporting the BC Cancer Foundation, the BC diabetes foundation and local food banks. We distribute jackets and hot food to the less fortunate in downtown Vancouver as well,” said McTaggart. Amajor philanthropic effort for the company is Clothed in Dignity, the beginning stage of a movement toward a 100% fair trade factory, using 100% fair trade fabric, in Cambodia. Funded primarily by Sat Lali and his family and through private fundraising events, the goal of the project to train and educate eight women who were previously picking garbage in the dumps in Cambodia. The women are trained to sew while childcare is provided for their children. The first project was Lazy One draw - string bag. “They made 11,000 gift bags, where 100% of the proceeds go back into the project, they have made 300 school uniforms and now 1500 T dresses that we are now selling in our Lago garments catalog,” said McTaggart. The company’s ultimate goal is to create a 100% fair trade factory to lift families out of poverty. “The biggest focus is creating a legitimate living wage for people in these countries. Eventually, we would like for all our garments, to be made in a fair-trade way. Plus, a Canadian made line with the same standards! Fair trade garments are very tough. You have to go all the way back to the cotton being grown - which has to be fair trade - and to actually track that can be tough. But we’re working on it.”
“The biggest focus is creating a legitimate living wage for people in these countries. Eventually, we would like for all our garments, to be made in a fair-trade way. Plus, a Canadian made line with the same standards!”
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DECEMBER 2020 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2020
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