Lindt USA Unveils Lindt Gold Bunny Celebrity Auction Benefiting Autism Speaks

STRATHAM, N.H., April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Lindt USA today announces it is helping to kick-off National Autism Awareness Month by launching an online auction of celebrity-signed Lindt Gold Bunny porcelain figures, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting Autism Speaks.  Beginning today at 9 a.m. PDT/12 p.m. EDT, Lindt will auction off porcelain versions of the iconic Lindt Gold Bunny, each autographed by a different celebrity, at www.ebay.com/LindtGoldBunny.  

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100401/NE80059 )

"Lindt USA is proud to extend its partnership with Autism Speaks with the introduction of the Lindt Gold Bunny Celebrity Auction," said Thomas Linemayr, president and CEO of Lindt USA.  "We are thrilled to have a stellar group of celebrities join in support of this effort.  Collectors and fans will surely want to own one of the Lindt Gold Bunny figures, especially for such a worthwhile cause."

Sixty celebrities from the culinary, entertainment, music and sports worlds have lent their support to the autism cause by signing an iconic Lindt Gold Bunny figure.  The 60 participating celebrities are:

• Troy Aikman
• Ed Asner
• Alec Baldwin
• Tiki Barber
• Mario Batali
• Matthew Bomer
• Drew Brees
• Steve Carell
• Chevy Chase
• Gary Cole
• Lauren Conrad
• Nancy Corzine
• Courteney Cox Arquette
• Ann Curry
• Chris Daughtry
• Kara DioGuardi
• Celine Dion
• Wylie Dufresne
• Edie Falco
• Brett Favre
• Roger Federer
• Harrison Ford
• Jennifer Garner
• Shonn Greene
• Tom Hanks
• Tony Hawk
• Perez Hilton
• Ron Howard
• Lauren Hutton
• Heidi Klum
• Padma Lakshmi
• Ali Larter
• Jay Leno
• Blake Lively
• Peyton Manning
• Joe Mantegna
• Debra Messing
• Randy Moss
• Broadway cast of Next to Normal
• Deborah Norville
• Rosie O'Donnell
• Ozzy Osbourne
• Hayden Panettiere
• Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick
• Bill Pullman
• Eric Ripert
• Joan Rivers
• Kelly Rutherford
• Holly Robinson Peete
• Susan Sarandon
• Sherri Shepherd
• Paul Simon
• Tori Spelling
• Martha Stewart
• Barbra Streisand
• Donald Trump
• Carrie Underwood
• Diane von Furstenberg
• Broadway cast of Wicked
• Rita Wilson

Beginning today through April 11, 2010, bidders will have the chance to own one of the specially autographed porcelain figures by visiting www.ebay.com/LindtGoldBunny.  In addition to the online auction, select autographed Lindt Gold Bunny figures will be on display at The New York Palace hotel through April 7, 2010.  

"We are so grateful to the team at Lindt for their continued support," said Autism Speaks President Mark Roithmayr. "We were delighted with the strong response we saw from our community last year and know that this auction will go a long way to raising awareness and funds to support our goals."

This is the second year Lindt has partnered with Autism Speaks to support those affected by autism and to raise awareness of and funds for the cause.  Lindt is further supporting Autism Speaks this Easter season with a 10 cent donation from all Lindt Gold Bunny purchases and a $1 donation for every free e-card sent from LindtGoldBunny.com.  For more information on Lindt Gold Bunny or the Autism Speaks partnership, please visit www.lindtgoldbunny.com or www.autismspeaks.org.

About Lindt & Sprungli

Founded in 1845, Lindt & Sprungli is a global leader in the premium chocolate category, offering high-quality products in more than 80 countries.  Lindt & Sprungli operates eight production facilities in Europe and the United States and employs 6,300 worldwide.  Lindt USA operates more than 70 retail stores throughout the country and maintains wide distribution through extensive retail and wholesale channels.  For more information on Lindt, visit www.lindtusa.com.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization. Since its inception only five short years ago, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $131 million to research and developing innovative new resources for families through 2014. The organization is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. In addition to funding research, Autism Speaks also supports the Autism Treatment Network, Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and several other scientific and clinical programs. Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 and an award-winning "Learn the Signs" campaign with the Ad Council which has received over $200 million in donated media. Autism Speaks' family resources include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a School Community Tool Kit, a community grant program and much more. Autism Speaks has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the government's response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to cover behavioral treatments. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 80 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.

SOURCE Lindt & Sprungli