(Marketwire) - Twenty years ago, the idea of Timberland's Path of Service™ program -- a program that offers employees paid time off to volunteer in their communities -- was considered unconventional. To celebrate the program and the achievements during the past 20 years, Timberland is gearing up for some special celebrations across the globe.

"From Taiwan to Tampa, we're celebrating the twentieth anniversary of our Path of Service™ program around the globe to make a difference in the communities where we live and work," said Atlanta McIlwraith, Timberland's senior manager of community engagement. "We're volunteering and also inviting vendors, distributors, supplier factories, consumers, community members, and friends and family to join our activities."

Tens of thousands of hours spent planting trees, building trails, creating community gardens and transforming playgrounds are all part of the celebration. Timberland is also gearing up for a collection of activities that will take place in September during the company's annual Serv-a-palooza service day. More than 150 projects will be completed in 30 countries, including:

• In North America, Timberland will bring together nonprofit partners and New Hampshire community members for a day of service on September 20. Activities will include facility and trail restoration at the Seacoast Science Center, removal of invasive species, and much more. 
• In Asia, Timberland Taiwan will partner with the Taiwan Environmental Information Association in the creation of a riverside park to improve local tourism, clean up the area and plant nearly 100 trees.
• In Europe, the team in Buckinghamshire, UK will create a new area of heathland in Black Park, a lowland area recognized as an important European habitat for its diverse wildlife and woodlands. 

Path of Service™

 Timberland organizes two annual global service events -- Earth Day and Serv-a-palooza -- to provide company-sponsored opportunities for employees to serve in their communities. Employees are also invited to serve independently or in small groups at projects of their choosing. Additionally, Timberland sponsors a service sabbatical program that grants employees up to six months of paid leave to provide transformational capacity-building services to nonprofit organizations.

Life "On The Path"

Timberland's long-standing commitment to service is rooted in the belief that everyone has strength and passion to help positively transform communities. Below is more information about the history and impact of the program.

• September 18, 1992 - Path of Service™ program was officially born when former CEO Jeff Swartz gave all employees 16 paid community service hours per year. Swartz and a group of employees kicked off the program with education-focused nonprofit City Year to paint a youth home near Timberland's headquarters in New Hampshire.
• 1995 - Timberland increases its commitment, offering all full-time employees 40 paid community service hours per year and part-time employees 20 hours per year -- a commitment that continues today.
• 2011 - The Path of Service™ program experiences its best year on record with 79 percent employee participation and 92,653 volunteer hours. In addition, parent company VF Corporation is inspired by the brand's commitment to service and joins the annual Serv-a-palooza event. As of the end of 2011, Timberland has served more than 844,955 hours through the Path of Service™ program in more than 30 countries.
• 2012 - The VF Outdoor Coalition and VF Action Sports Coalition, comprised of brands including JanSport, lucy and The North Face, expand their commitment. They will now join Timberland in two coalition-wide service days each year, Earth Day and Serv-a-palooza.

Learn more about Timberland's Path of Service™ program and global service projects here: http://responsibility.timberland.com/service.

About Timberland

Timberland, a wholly owned subsidiary of VF Corporation, is a global leader in the design, engineering and marketing of premium-quality footwear, apparel and accessories for consumers who value the outdoors and their time in it. Timberland markets products under the Timberland^®, Timberland PRO^®, Mountain Athletics^® and Timberland Boot Company^® brands, all of which offer quality workmanship and detailing and are built to withstand the elements of nature. The company's products can be found in leading department and specialty stores as well as Timberland^® retail stores throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, South America, South Africa and the Middle East. Timberland is committed to doing its part to address environmental challenges and to minimizing its impact. From product design to manufacturing and shipping, the company is constantly finding new ways to be a little lighter on the environment. The Timberland Earthkeepers^® Collection incorporates recycled PET bottles in linings, recycled rubber in soles, leather from silver and gold-rated tanneries and organic content throughout the apparel line. Timberland's dedication to making quality products is matched by the company's commitment to "doing well and doing good" -- forging powerful partnerships among employees, consumers and service partners to transform the communities in which they live and work. To learn more about Timberland, please visit www.timberland.com.

Timberland

Timberland

Timberland is a global outdoor work and lifestyle brand that’s on a mission to equip and inspire a new generation to step outside and move the world forward. Based in Stratham, New Hampshire, Timberland also has international headquarters in Switzerland and Shanghai. Best known for its original yellow work boot introduced in 1973 to take on the harsh elements of New England, Timberland today offers a full range of footwear, apparel and accessories made with eco-conscious innovation for people who share the brand’s passion for enjoying – and protecting – Nature.

At the heart of the Timberland® brand is the core belief that a greener future is a better future. This comes to life through a decades-long commitment to make products responsibly, protect the outdoors, and strengthen communities around the world. The brand has committed to plant 50 million trees worldwide by 2025, and has a bold vision for its products to have a net positive impact on Nature by 2030, giving back more than they take. To share in Timberland’s mission to step outside, work together and move the world forward, visit a Timberland® store, timberland.com or follow @timberland or @timberlandpro. Timberland is a VF Corporation brand.

More from Timberland