As clothing originally designed to withstand the tough conditions of hard labor in mines or on farms, the dungarees of today have come a long way to earn the title of just about everyone’s weekend (or even weekday) staple.

Here at Mercy Home, we’ve decided to use the love of wearing jeans another way—to inspire others to join Mercy Home’s March for Kids movement. With the aim of raising awareness about, and ultimately ending, child abuse, Mercy Home’s March for Kids volunteers canvass Chicago-area St. Patrick’s day parades and celebrations to collect donations in support of our work with abused and at-risk children.

When a business holds a Charity Jeans Day, employees can wear jeans (or other dress down clothes) in exchange for making a donation to Mercy Home’s March for Kids. A jeans day is a great way for companies with business or business casual attire to not only allow coworkers to feel a little more relaxed for a day, but more importantly contribute to ending child abuse!

Through this jeans day initiative, your company can get many people involved in raising awareness around Mercy Home and our endeavor to end child abuse and neglect.

So this March, consider gathering your coworkers, slipping on your favorite pair of jeans (or other denim ensembles), and joining the march!