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Each year, as retailers and technology providers gather in New York City for NRF\u2019s Big Show in January, there\u2019s one event that stands out not just for its industry insights, but for its deeper purpose. RetailROI\u2019s SuperSaturday, which took place on Jan. 11, is more than just a conference \u2014 it\u2019s an opportunity to improve the lives of vulnerable children worldwide.<\/p>\n
What Is RetailROI and SuperSaturday?<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe Retail Orphan Initiative (RetailROI) was founded with a singular mission: to support orphaned and at-risk children by leveraging the collective power of the retail industry. Since 2010, RetailROI has raised $5.1 million in grants, funding over 350 projects across 31 countries. These initiatives have supported over 363,000 children through education, adoption assistance, clean water initiatives, and anti-trafficking efforts, according to the organization.<\/p>\n
SuperSaturday, the organization\u2019s flagship event, serves as both a fundraising effort and an opportunity for retail professionals to connect in a meaningful way. \u201cThe RetailROI SuperSaturday event is one of my \u2018can\u2019t miss\u2019 events of the year,\u201d said Verlin Youd, managing director of Start-Up Scale Advisory Inc. and RetailWire BrainTrust member. \u201cI\u2019ve attended 12 times over the last 14 years and always come away with great industry insights as well as understanding how I can give back to endangered children and families globally.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year, SuperSaturday raised an impressive $386,000, surpassing last year\u2019s total and ensuring that approximately 38,000 children will receive support. Funds raised during the event go directly toward RetailROI\u2019s sponsored projects, with over 93% of donations directly benefiting those in need, which Youd noted is \u201cone of the highest percentages of any charitable foundation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexis Russell: A Story of Resilience and Giving Back<\/strong><\/h2>\nOne of the most compelling moments of this year\u2019s event came from Alexis Russell, founder and chief creative officer of the multi-million dollar fine jewelry brand that bears her name. While known for pioneering unique engagement rings featuring natural rose-cut diamonds and uniquely colored gemstones, Russell\u2019s journey to success was anything but conventional.<\/p>\n
\u201cI grew up in the foster care system,\u201d she shared. \u201cI entered my first home at barely 2 years old after a head injury sent me to the hospital. Little did I know then that I would never return to my mother.\u201d Over the years, Russell lived in 13 different foster homes and was adopted twice. She recalled the pain of feeling unwanted and unseen, yet against all odds, she persevered.<\/p>\n
Jewelry became more than just a career for Russell \u2014 it became her sanctuary. \u201cJewelry allowed me to grow and learn. Jewelry let me be good. And most of all, jewelry gave me a home. Jewelry gave me what I was always searching for, what we all long for, and that\u2019s belonging,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n
Today, her company\u2019s ethos mirrors her personal journey. \u201cWe see perfection in imperfection and find beauty in natural stones that are often overlooked by traditional jewelers,\u201d she explained. \u201cI didn\u2019t know it at the time, but that was paralleling my whole story\u2026 no one saw it, no one cared, no one was there, and then I shine regardless.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Alexis](\"https:\/\/retailwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20250111_115245-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nShe even chose a salt and pepper diamond for her engagement ring when her husband asked her what she wanted. \u201cWe looked and I said, \u2018I want that one, that little gray one with all the bumps on it and the black spots inside of it. That\u2019s the one that I want.\u2019 And he was like, \u2018Well, are you sure? Because people aren\u2019t going to think that\u2019s very expensive or very traditional,\u2019 and I said, \u2018Yeah, I\u2019m sure, it\u2019s totally imperfect, but it\u2019s still beautiful.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Russell\u2019s commitment to giving back aligns seamlessly with RetailROI\u2019s mission. \u201cRetailROI is amazing because, not just for me but for everyone, it combines the love of business and retail with this orphan initiative, which obviously couldn\u2019t be closer to my heart,\u201d she said. She now donates a portion of her company\u2019s profits to initiatives supporting foster children and works to raise awareness about the challenges they face.<\/p>\n
Charities Making a Difference<\/strong><\/h2>\nRetailROI collaborates with many nonprofit organizations making a direct impact on children\u2019s lives. Here are a few that stood out at this year\u2019s event.<\/p>\n
Casita Copan<\/strong><\/h3>\nBased in Honduras, Casita Copan provides a family-style environment for orphaned and at-risk children. Daysi Ramirez, the organization\u2019s executive director, explained that Casita has served around 250 children in 12 years, but they are often with the kids for life. \u201cEven after they leave, they come back, and we help them\u2026 I\u2019ve been to the bank with them to open a bank account, to help them to train them for jobs,\u201d Ramirez said. \u201cWe are their family, even after they leave our casita.\u201d<\/p>\n
By renting houses in the community, Casita Copan allows children to grow up in stable, home-like settings rather than institutional orphanages.<\/p>\n
Together for Good<\/strong><\/h3>\nThis U.S.-based organization provides temporary safe homes for children while parents work through crises such as mental health struggles, addiction, or homelessness. \u201cWe create pathways for the local church to come alongside vulnerable children and their families to do the work of becoming family for those who don\u2019t have it so that when a crisis happens, the first option isn\u2019t foster care, but rather a caring community of family,\u201d said Maridel Sandberg, the group\u2019s president.<\/p>\n
By mobilizing churches and trained volunteers, Together for Good aims to keep families intact and prevent unnecessary separations.<\/p>\n
Fostering Meditation<\/strong><\/h3>\nFounded by Demetrius Napolitano, who spent 22 years in the foster care system, Fostering Meditation teaches meditation and yoga to youth in foster care as a means of healing trauma. \u201cAs Frederick Douglass said, \u2018It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men,\u2019\u201d Napolitano said.<\/p>\n
Through mindfulness practices, his organization helps children develop coping mechanisms that will serve them for a lifetime.<\/p>\n
More Than Just a Conference<\/strong><\/h2>\nSuperSaturday isn\u2019t just about fundraising \u2014 it\u2019s about changing lives. Whether through corporate sponsorships, personal donations, or simply spreading the word, retail professionals have the power to make a difference. \u201cEvery retail technology provider should sponsor, and every retailer should participate in SuperSaturday,\u201d Youd said. \u201cIt\u2019s the perfect blend of \u2018tech and tears\u2019 and a casual yet meaningful way to kick off NRF and the year ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Russell so eloquently put it, \u201cWe all deserve to belong.\u201d Thanks to RetailROI and its partners, thousands of children around the world are finding their place, their purpose, and most importantly, their home.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
One of the most compelling moments of this year\u2019s event came from Alexis Russell, founder and chief creative officer of the multi-million dollar fine jewelry brand that bears her name. While known for pioneering unique engagement rings featuring natural rose-cut diamonds and uniquely colored gemstones, Russell\u2019s journey to success was anything but conventional.<\/p>\n
\u201cI grew up in the foster care system,\u201d she shared. \u201cI entered my first home at barely 2 years old after a head injury sent me to the hospital. Little did I know then that I would never return to my mother.\u201d Over the years, Russell lived in 13 different foster homes and was adopted twice. She recalled the pain of feeling unwanted and unseen, yet against all odds, she persevered.<\/p>\n
Jewelry became more than just a career for Russell \u2014 it became her sanctuary. \u201cJewelry allowed me to grow and learn. Jewelry let me be good. And most of all, jewelry gave me a home. Jewelry gave me what I was always searching for, what we all long for, and that\u2019s belonging,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n
Today, her company\u2019s ethos mirrors her personal journey. \u201cWe see perfection in imperfection and find beauty in natural stones that are often overlooked by traditional jewelers,\u201d she explained. \u201cI didn\u2019t know it at the time, but that was paralleling my whole story\u2026 no one saw it, no one cared, no one was there, and then I shine regardless.\u201d<\/p>\n She even chose a salt and pepper diamond for her engagement ring when her husband asked her what she wanted. \u201cWe looked and I said, \u2018I want that one, that little gray one with all the bumps on it and the black spots inside of it. That\u2019s the one that I want.\u2019 And he was like, \u2018Well, are you sure? Because people aren\u2019t going to think that\u2019s very expensive or very traditional,\u2019 and I said, \u2018Yeah, I\u2019m sure, it\u2019s totally imperfect, but it\u2019s still beautiful.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Russell\u2019s commitment to giving back aligns seamlessly with RetailROI\u2019s mission. \u201cRetailROI is amazing because, not just for me but for everyone, it combines the love of business and retail with this orphan initiative, which obviously couldn\u2019t be closer to my heart,\u201d she said. She now donates a portion of her company\u2019s profits to initiatives supporting foster children and works to raise awareness about the challenges they face.<\/p>\n RetailROI collaborates with many nonprofit organizations making a direct impact on children\u2019s lives. Here are a few that stood out at this year\u2019s event.<\/p>\n Based in Honduras, Casita Copan provides a family-style environment for orphaned and at-risk children. Daysi Ramirez, the organization\u2019s executive director, explained that Casita has served around 250 children in 12 years, but they are often with the kids for life. \u201cEven after they leave, they come back, and we help them\u2026 I\u2019ve been to the bank with them to open a bank account, to help them to train them for jobs,\u201d Ramirez said. \u201cWe are their family, even after they leave our casita.\u201d<\/p>\n By renting houses in the community, Casita Copan allows children to grow up in stable, home-like settings rather than institutional orphanages.<\/p>\n This U.S.-based organization provides temporary safe homes for children while parents work through crises such as mental health struggles, addiction, or homelessness. \u201cWe create pathways for the local church to come alongside vulnerable children and their families to do the work of becoming family for those who don\u2019t have it so that when a crisis happens, the first option isn\u2019t foster care, but rather a caring community of family,\u201d said Maridel Sandberg, the group\u2019s president.<\/p>\n By mobilizing churches and trained volunteers, Together for Good aims to keep families intact and prevent unnecessary separations.<\/p>\n Founded by Demetrius Napolitano, who spent 22 years in the foster care system, Fostering Meditation teaches meditation and yoga to youth in foster care as a means of healing trauma. \u201cAs Frederick Douglass said, \u2018It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men,\u2019\u201d Napolitano said.<\/p>\n Through mindfulness practices, his organization helps children develop coping mechanisms that will serve them for a lifetime.<\/p>\n SuperSaturday isn\u2019t just about fundraising \u2014 it\u2019s about changing lives. Whether through corporate sponsorships, personal donations, or simply spreading the word, retail professionals have the power to make a difference. \u201cEvery retail technology provider should sponsor, and every retailer should participate in SuperSaturday,\u201d Youd said. \u201cIt\u2019s the perfect blend of \u2018tech and tears\u2019 and a casual yet meaningful way to kick off NRF and the year ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n As Russell so eloquently put it, \u201cWe all deserve to belong.\u201d Thanks to RetailROI and its partners, thousands of children around the world are finding their place, their purpose, and most importantly, their home.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\nCharities Making a Difference<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Casita Copan<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Together for Good<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Fostering Meditation<\/strong><\/h3>\n
More Than Just a Conference<\/strong><\/h2>\n