Leading with Hope: Shady Rays All-Team Summit Impact

Posted on

June 3, 2024

Leading with Hope:
Shady Rays All-Team Summit Impact

This blog was written by Roc Solid Foundation and was originally posted on 4/2/24 at rocsolidfoundation.org

Shady Rays has one value that shines through every pair of sunglasses they create: make an impact. After completing several playset projects for families fighting pediatric cancer last year, Shady Rays expanded their impact through Roc Solid’s Ready Bag program in February of 2024. At their annual all-team summit in Simpsonville, Kentucky, around 75 Shady Rays leaders packed over 200 Roc Solid Ready Bags that would soon be given to families nationwide when they are diagnosed with pediatric cancer.

Since many Shady Rays team members had been a part of a Roc Solid playset project in the past, they were eager to continue their impact by packing Ready Bags. Their Ready Bag event was also part of the grand opening celebration of the new Shady Rays corporate headquarters and distribution center.

Making an impact for families fighting childhood cancer one Ready Bag at a time

There was no lack of enthusiasm as the team lined up to hand-pack Roc Solid Ready Bags full of essential items for families who would soon be diagnosed with pediatric cancer. The team recognized the impact that each Ready Bag would have for a family about to enter one of the scariest moments of their lives. From the toiletries bags to the blankets to the hand-written notecards, the Shady Rays team packed every item with care—recognizing that they were a part of the community to love and serve families who they will never meet.

“We recognize the impact a simple gesture like a Roc Solid Ready Bag can have on families during one of their most challenging times,” Shady Rays Founder + CEO Chris Ratterman said. “Being able to assemble these backpacks with essential items for families in our community not only provides physical comfort to them, but it also provides emotional empowerment for our employees knowing that their work makes a difference for pediatric oncology patients in our community.”

Kentucky, meet Roc Solid Foundation

Kentucky Governor, Andy Beshear also joined in for the occasion to show his appreciation for companies like Shady Rays who are truly making a difference for families in their time of need in Kentucky and beyond. Shady Rays carries the rare quality of truly embodying their values every day by showing up for community impact events like Roc Solid playset builds and Ready Bag Packing Parties, but also through day-to-day impact by making sure a portion of every pair of sunglasses they sell goes back into the community through nonprofits.

We are thrilled to partner with Shady Rays to provide hope and play to families fighting pediatric cancer in Kentucky and beyond… and, of course, to rock some sweet Shady Rays sunglasses all summer long.