2020 Wrap-Up: Our Favorite Feel-Good Stories of the Year

As 2020 winds down, to say we could all use some good news is an understatement. All of the reports around vaccines have been giving us a boost of optimism these last couple of weeks, but we still want to focus on what we’ve seen within the promotional products industry alone.

Throughout a rough year, we’ve been lucky enough to report on stories that restored our faith in humanity or just made us chuckle.

So, with that, on this Monday (also the shortest day of the year), we figured we could use a little dose of positivity with our favorite feel-good stories from 2020. As always, click the article titles to read each story.

1. How a Distributor Helped Raise $11,000 for Local Businesses Through Fundraising Stores

Seeing promo companies rally around local businesses affected by the pandemic has been nothing short of inspiring. Kelley Rice, owner of Imagination Print & Design, got to be a part of the effort to raise money for local businesses through promotional products.

2. High Score! This Distributor's Brilliant Self-Promo Has Generated Six Figures in Sales (and Counting)

We love a good self-promo. It’s really a chance for companies to show their personality and what they’re about. This one from WHOOPLA touched on the pandemic theme, but did it in a fun and memorable way.

3. The Awesome Story Behind Pepsi's New Hand-Drawn Logo Branded Merch

Speaking of good news, “The Office” star John Krasinski used lockdown to make a show called “Some Good News,” where he gave us some, well, good news. During one segment, celebrity chef Guy Fieri told Krasinksi that Pepsi had donated $3 million to Restaurant Relief America, and Krasinksi’s daughters got to turn some doodles into an actual Pepsi promo.

4. Dunkin’ Releases Branded Face Mask Collection Benefiting Children in Underserved Communities

Masks have been a must-have this year. They quickly went from simple and utilitarian to a source of customization. Dunkin’ fans could show their allegiance to the chain and rest comfortably that proceeds would go toward children in need. It’s a win-win.

5. Yankees Minor League Affiliate Mocks Astros Cheating Scandal With Promotional Trash Cans Giveaway

Back when stadium giveaways were more of a thing, the Yankees’ minor league affiliate planned a giveaway mocking the Houston Astro’s World Series scandal. This probably isn’t a feel-good story for Astros fans, but it’s funny to the rest of the baseball world.

6. How DiscountMugs' Donated Promo Products Are Helping South Florida Small Businesses Stay Open

DiscountMugs awarded businesses in its home of South Florida thousands of dollars worth of promotional products and PPE to keep their businesses safe and solvent during the pandemic. Lots of other large promo businesses did their part through similar give-back efforts, too.

7. Matthew Perry Is Having A Lot of Fun With His Limited 'Friends' Merchandise Line for COVID-19 Relief

Have you been spending your days at home bingeing “Friends?” Well, a lot of people have (or at least never stopped doing it since it went into syndication). Matthew Perry—the guy who played Chandler—dropped a line of merchandise featuring his character’s dance moves and some of his catchphrases, with proceeds benefiting the fight against COVID.

8. How One Promo Company Turned Massive PPE Sales Success Into a Creative Give-Back Effort

iPromo was one of the promo companies that got in early on the PPE market, reaping huge rewards. But it also saw the negative impacts of all that PPE—namely, litter—and launched a program aimed at combating waste while donating new PPE to organizations in need.

Here's hoping that 2021 brings us more positivity and feel-goodness! Check back in tomorrow for our penultimate 2020 Wrap-Up.