SanMar Inspires Promotional Industry to Support Mhotivo School

SanMar Corporation, a supplier of wholesale accessories and apparel, has unveiled two developments benefiting the Mhotivo School in Choloma, Honduras.

First, SanMar announced the successful completion of major construction projects at the school, which began in 2022 and concluded in the spring of 2024. Second, Reciprocity Road, a buying group of 13 promotional product distributors, has pledged to support the school’s infrastructure and scholarship programs in partnership with SanMar.

Mhotivo School Foundation

The Mhotivo School Foundation, founded in 1992, provides a safe and accessible space for students to receive an education, participate in athletic programs, and access technology and other technical skills. The school’s coursework covers various topics including math, science, history, and the arts.

In 2022, SanMar partnered with the W. Duke Kimbrell Family Foundation, an affiliate of Parkdale Mills, to support the Mhotivo School with the construction of 22 classrooms, a computer lab, and additional administrative offices, to accommodate 600 additional students. These projects were completed in the spring of 2024. SanMar’s manufacturing operations in Choloma are closely linked to the local community, which includes many of the company’s employees and their families.

“It’s been amazing to see the new building come to life with educators and students growing into the space,” said Jeremy Lott, president of SanMar. “I’m hopeful of the positive change education can have on a community. Sharing the Mhotivo School and Choloma with our friends in the industry has been my great privilege. I couldn’t be more thrilled that the team at Reciprocity Road has made a commitment to its future.”

Reciprocity Road

Reciprocity Road announced this pledge and milestone in its philanthropic efforts. To have a collective impact for good through its BrandGood initiatives, the group supports various industry education organizations and causes local to its members. For the first time, Reciprocity Road has united to make a significant donation to an international beneficiary, marking a new chapter in its commitment to global impact.

In April of 2024, the Reciprocity Road team, in collaboration with SanMar, visited the Mhotivo School to witness firsthand the positive impact of the promotional industry’s contributions to the Choloma community. Inspired by this experience, Reciprocity Road has decided to contribute to the Mhotivo School by investing in infrastructure improvements and scholarships for its students.

“I can never look at a T-shirt the same way again. It’s just a simple T-shirt, but all of these lives are impacted and touched,” said Perry Wehrle, executive director of Reciprocity Road. “We’re making sure we’re putting support back into this fragile infrastructure.”

“First and foremost, you invest in the leadership. And I felt really good about the leadership of the Mhotivo School,” said Bart Simpson, president, Flywheel Brands and Reciprocity Road partner upon visiting the school. “When we can tuck under the wing of SanMar, who’s already very invested down there and believes in the project, then why wouldn’t we contribute?”