A week after disavowing Partners Card, Lululemon Athletica has written a $10,000 check to the Family Place, a Dallas charity that supports battered women and children. The NorthPark Center store ended up in the middle of a social media firestorm when it displayed an odd message in its store window in late October.
"We do partners yoga, not partners card," seemingly mocked the Family Place's signature charity. To make matters worse, Lululemon responded to angry messages on Facebook by claiming it had an existing partnership to bring yoga to the battered women's shelter. As it turns out, that was a lie.
Family Place executive director Paige Flink is happy to finally put the controversy to rest. Flink met with Lululemon NorthPark staff several times in an attempt to reach a resolution. At first, Lululemon offered only "the gift of yoga" as an olive branch. Flink stated flatly that the charity needed money more than exercise.
Flink announced the resolution November 3 on Facebook. "We value the opportunity to bring this issue to people who may not be aware of our services," Flink said. "The Family Place staff will also be the beneficiary a Lululemon led wellness education program to help them find ways to de-stress from all the sorrow they hear. I am glad to put this all behind us."
In a statement on Facebook, Lululemon thanked Flink for her willingness to meet and expressed a new dedication to helping victims of domestic violence. "We are committed to working with the Family Place to raise awareness of the warning signs of family violence and educate our staff, guests and community," Lululemon's statement read.
Partners Card is the Family Place's signature charity.
