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Akron Offices

More than 130 Hearts, One Giving Mission

Akron, Pennsylvania is headquarters for Ten Thousand Villages— a fitting location, just a stone’s throw from our parent organization, Mennonite Central Committee, and the hometown of our founder, Edna Ruth Byler. Also fitting is our facility, the former Miller Hess Shoe Factory where shoes were once hand crafted.

Within our walls beats the heart of our operation— all of the vital business functions any enterprise requires to be successful. But the distinction between our corporate offices and most others are the 130 plus hearts, belonging to people of all ages, races and backgrounds, beating in unison for the mission of Ten Thousand Villages— to help artisans in developing countries earn a steady income. During our busy holiday season, our nearby Leola, Pennsylvania warehouse engages yet another 50 or so volunteers.

Whether full-time employee or volunteer, each member of the Ten Thousand Villages family is accomplished in some area of expertise. Their collective effort helps us maintain a smooth operation, advance the development of products and markets and, most important, bring out the best in the people whose lives are touched by Ten Thousand Villages.

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Ten Thousand Villages. A Fair Trade Retailer.
Your fair trade purchase of handmade jewelry, home decor and gifts helps improve the lives of thousands of artisans in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.