The Body Shop Announces Grant Recipients

    NEW YORK, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- International cosmetics retailer, The
 Body Shop(R), announced today the recipients of its Harlem Community Giving
 Program for 1997.  The retailer donates 5% of total retail sales from its
 Harlem shop to community groups developing entrepreneurial skills among Harlem
 youth.  Grants will be awarded at the fifth annual Harlem Holiday Lighting
 Ceremony, organized by the 125th Street Business Improvement District (BID),
 on November 20, 1997.
     This year's recipients are Project Harmony's "The Doers" Harlem Harvest
 program and The Children's Art Carnival.  Each organization will receive a
 grant of $10,000.
     "The Doers" is a program of Project Harmony, Inc., which teaches young
 people how to grow fruits, vegetables and herbs, and then how to make and
 market jellies, preserves, vinegars and herbal oils.  In addition to learning
 a useful craft, participants are taught basic marketing skills including
 pricing strategy, supply and demand analysis, and budgeting procedures.
     The Children's Art Carnival (CAC) has a 27 year history as a leader in the
 development of exciting and innovative programs that are in the forefront of
 the Arts and Arts in Education movement.  The Body Shop grant will help fund
 CAC's Communication Art Production and Entrepreneurial Training program for
 youths ages l4-21.  The students will learn basic financial skills, gain
 hands-on experience in creating products for sale, and will be involved with
 product research and design.
     "The Body Shop is an extraordinary company that is doing extraordinary
 things," said New York State Senator David A. Paterson, who represents the
 29th Senatorial District, including Harlem.  "Through its investment
 in the Harlem community, The Body Shop is redefining the meaning of the term,
 'good corporate citizen.'"
     The Harlem Giving Program is community-driven.  Available funds are
 dispersed at the direction of a grant committee composed of people who live
 and work within the Harlem community.  The Body Shop retains only one voice on
 a panel of up to seven members.  The grant committee for 1997 included Linda
 Wood, Ernestine Welch, Barbara Ann Teer, Roberta Washington, and Barbara
 Askins of the 125th Street BID.
     "A program such as this is long overdue and a very welcome addition to the
 Harlem community," Askins said.  "I am delighted that The Body Shop has taken
 the lead to encourage entrepreneurship among Harlem youth."
     "We're thrilled to be a part of the revitalization that's going on in
 Harlem," said Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop International.  "We
 believe in the spirit, vitality and boundless potential of the Harlem
 community.  We see strength in its diversity and aim to be an integral part of
 its growth."
     The Body Shop is an international manufacturer and retailer of innovative,
 high quality skin, hair care and color cosmetic products, operating more than
 1,500 stores in 47 countries, including nearly 300 in the USA.
 
 

SOURCE  The Body Shop