Rubber Bracelets

Rubber bracelets have become the poplar way today to champion a cause or to promote a message. The Lance Armstrong Foundation started the rubber bracelet craze with the first rubber bracelets that were sold for $1 each to raise money for cancer research. The slogan imprinted on these rubber bracelets is “LiveStrong”.
Today, many non-profit organizations have chosen to follow in their path. Pink rubber bracelets are sold to promote breast cancer awareness. Patriotic rubber bracelets are colored with red, white and blue. Schools can choose rubber bracelets imprinted with the school motto or school name in the school colors.
Rubber bracelets may not even promote a single cause, but are used by some to promote a philosophy or way of life. Teenagers may have matching bracelets that say “Best Friends Forever”. Families of military personal can wear rubber bracelets with the slogan “Support Our Troops”. Church youth groups may promote their faith with slogans such as “Faith”, “Believe”, “Hope” or “Strength”. Humane Societies and animal shelters have chosen slogans such as “I Love my dog” or “I love my cat”. I imagine that there may be thousands of slogans imprinted on rubber bracelets today. The only limit is the imagination.
The bracelet craze until recently was confined to the non-profit organizations and causes. However due to their immense popularity, that is no longer the case. Instead of dying out, it seems that the rubber bracelet craze is becoming stronger than ever. Even today, rubber bracelets are even making their way into corporate America to promote company ideals. According to the Detroit Free Press, Ford Motor Company is also promoting itself with these trendy rubber bracelets. Many Ford Motor Company executives are spreading their message while wearing a blue rubber bracelet. The message is simple –“Red, White and Bold” and is designed to promote it’s “American Innovation campaign”
The rubber bracelets are made from silicone. They can be produced quickly, cheaply and easily. The can be colored in almost any conceivable color or colors. Some bracelets today are even glow in the dark. Typically the bracelets cost 25¢ or less when produced in large quantities. They are then sold individually for about $1 each.
The rubber bracelets have helped schools raise money for athletics, churches raise money for charity. The have certainly helped non-profit medical foundations raise money for medical research. With the next step of corporate America, led by Ford Motor Company, will the rubber bracelets also help bring success to American businesses? Only time will tell us that answer.