Corporations Offer Holiday Gifts to Benefit Children in Need

This holiday season, corporations are offering gifts that will benefit children in need both in the United States and around the world.

WESTPORT, CT (PRWEB) November 6, 2004 -- Once again this holiday season, major companies are offering gift ideas -- from chocolate candy to teddy bears -- that will help support Save the Children programs in the United States and around the world.

Save the Children is grateful to all of the companies and consumers who are making a commitment to create lasting change in the lives of children in need this holiday season," said Charles MacCormack, president and CEO of Save the Children. With their support, children facing poverty, hunger, inadequate health care and education and the ravages of war will be given an opportunity for a better future."

The following products will benefit Save the Children and the more than 15 million children and their families the organization serves:

•    Candy -- The oldest family-owned chocolate company in the United States, Elmer Candy, has produced a series of Collectors Tin Boxes for the holidays which prominently display artwork designed by children. The tins contain 14 pieces of assorted chocolate and will be in stores nationwide.

•    Childrens Easel -- For every MÅLA easel purchased between November 1 and December 31, 2004, IKEA will donate $2 to Save the Children in support of the organizations literacy programs in poor, isolated rural areas of the United States.

•    Handmade Basket -- Marie Claire magazine will give $5 to Save the Children for every purchase of a handmade basket, woven by village women in Pakistan. The funds will support Save the Childrens efforts to protect children and women from the ravages of war.

•    Greeting Card -- Brookstone, Inc, a nationwide specialty retail company, has introduced an in-store greeting card to support Save the Children's literacy and nutrition programs for children in rural areas of the United States. The cards, featuring original children's artwork, are available for a $2 donation.

•    Sculpture -- Eziba, a leading online retailer of artisan-made goods from around the world, is supporting children and women caught in war and conflict with its Mother and Child Shona sculpture made by hand in Zimbabwe. Ten dollars from every purchase will be directed to Save the Children conflict protection programs.

•    Perfume -- Donna Karan Cosmetics is planning an exclusive holiday celebration at Bloomingdales with a $10,000 donation to Save the Children while promoting its Cashmere Mist 3.4 oz spray.

•    Teddy Bears -- Save the Children will receive 1 percent of the purchase price for all the teddy bears and plush items sold on 1-800-Flowers web site. In addition, one-of-a-kind celebrity-styled teddy bears will be auctioned off on eBay (e-Bay?) with 100 percent of winning bids going toward the support of Save the Children. Celebrities participating in the promotion include news analyst Cokie Roberts, Golden Globe winner Maria Bello, hip-hop mogul Damon Dash, fashion designer Kenneth Cole, Academy Award nominated actress Kate Winslet, great illusionist David Copperfield and New York Mets star player Al Leiter. As part of this program, 1-800-flowers.com has committed to a minimum donation of $20,000 to Save the Children.

•    Toys -- The Today Show will be collecting donations of gifts for many nonprofits, including Save the Children.

•    Quilts -- Jo-Ann Stores, the nations largest fabric and craft retailer, will use Save the Childrens original artwork on quilting, fleece and holiday fabrics. All funds raised through these initiatives will be used to support Save the Childrens literacy programs in the United States. In addition, Jo-Ann Stores will sponsor a nationwide Quilt Challenge using fabric designed with Save the Childrens artwork.

For more information on Save the Children, or to make a donation, visit www.savethechildren.org.

Contact:

Colleen Barton Sutton

Save the Children

202-261-4694

cbarton@dc.savechildren.org

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