SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Even though it was officially launched in 2020 to bring communities around the lake together during COVID, Tahoe Together has been relaunched with the same mission – to build a stronger, more connected Tahoe in an uplifting way.
South Lake Tahoe local athlete, coach, and entrepreneur Leon Abravanel created the brand to raise funds for one month in 2020, with 100 percent of profits going to locals who faced job loss, a lack of food, new pressures of homeschooling, or other issues in the pandemic.
With a community coming together last week in response to anti-immigrant comments made by a brand owner, Abravanel said there was a sudden gap in the Tahoe-branded marketplace along with a need for togetherness both nationally and locally.
“Tahoe Together is Community-focused,” explained Abravanel. “The community spoke up recently about a brand that used negativity to separate the community, and this is meant to bring them together.”
The public can now buy hats, shirts, artwork, and more, with the new Tahoe Together logo online. With each purchase, the majority of funds go to local organizations, projects, and people.
“We are a strong community together,” explained Abravanel. “We all have our own beliefs, but we are all Tahoe locals that live here. We are stronger together, more resilient together, than being apart.”
Abravenel has a couple of steps to take – get the brand out there and see if people are interested in the message and design, and what Tahoe Together is about, and then he will start to create organizational partnerships to bring items into stores. The mass printing is already set up and ready to go when needed. He also has some cobranding ideas – work with school groups, teams, nonprofits, etc., where their special logo gear is sold on the Tahoe Together website to raise funds.
The Tahoe Together website has a “Giving” page. With a mission of uplifting the community, they are seeking passionate people, organizations, and nonprofits who are ready to make a difference. Fund your impact through the sales of Tahoe Together merchandise. Those who are dedicated to strengthening the local culture, protecting the environment, or supporting those in need, fill out the form provided on the Giving page. Build a better Tahoe – together.
“This is more of a movement, an inspiration, to lead people to action,” explained Abravenel. He said he’d love to see other businesses follow with giving programs if they aren’t already doing so.
“We want to regain the trust of the community after they were blindsided behind a brand they once loved,” said Abravanel.
“Our choices as consumers shape the world around us and is where our power lies, said Abravanel. “Every purchase is a vote for the values we believe in and the future we want to see. If our mission resonates with you, we’d love for you to be part of the movement—spread the word, join the conversation, and, if you feel inspired, explore our products. Together, we can make a meaningful impact in this community that we love!”
From the Tahoe Together website https://www.tahoetogether.com/:
Tahoe Together was born from a simple yet powerful idea—to create a brand that uplifts the community, celebrates local culture, and protects the land we call home. As locals, we saw an opportunity to bring people together through art, apparel, and meaningful products, all while giving back to the nonprofits, environmental groups, and people who make Tahoe special.
Whether it’s supporting small businesses, preserving Lake Tahoe’s natural beauty, or empowering the next generation, Tahoe Together is more than just a brand—it’s a movement for those who love, respect, and fight for this place.
We believe that Tahoe thrives when its people and environment are supported. From the small businesses that fuel our economy to the nonprofits protecting our waters and forests, our mission is to bridge the gap between commerce and community impact. Every product we create is an extension of our love for Tahoe—designed with purpose, sustainability, and giving back in mind.