L'Oreal USA Facilities Across the Country Hold Bake Sales on Valentine's Day to Raise Money for Pediatric Cancer Research

NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- This Valentine's Day, 20 L'Oreal USA facilities across the country raised over $27,000 for pediatric cancer research by hosting bake sales to benefit Cookies for Kids' Cancer.  Employees baked over 5,000 cookies, cakes, and other treats and volunteered to help plan and facilitate this annual grassroots effort.  All proceeds, an increase of $11,000 over 2012, were donated to Cookies for Kids' Cancer, a not-for-profit organization committed to supporting research for new and improved therapies for pediatric cancers. Through local bake sales, Cookies for Kids' Cancer provides the inspiration and support for individuals, communities, and businesses to help fight pediatric cancer.

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"Volunteerism is a core value at L'Oreal and we are so pleased to give back to a cause that's so important," said Rebecca Caruso, Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications and External Affairs, L'Oreal USA. 

"At Cookies for Kids' Cancer, we believe in the power of people. In the first 4 years, we granted nearly $4 million to pediatric cancer research thanks to the ongoing efforts of individuals and businesses," explained Gretchen Holt Witt, founder of Cookies for Kids' Cancer.  "L'Oreal USA has been a great partner and the enthusiasm and dedication of the employees is humbling and inspiring." Holt-Witt is a 2011 L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth Honoree. 

This volunteer effort is just one of a number of volunteer activities L'Oreal USA undertakes throughout the year.  In 2012, L'Oreal USA employees held a number of drives to support different organizations such as local food banks, schools and shelters.  In addition, every year L'Oreal USA hosts an annual Employee Volunteer Day where nearly 3,000 employees across the country are invited to give back to their local communities.  The volunteering program was extended in 2012 to include additional paid volunteer time throughout the year.

About Cookies for Kids' Cancer:
Cookies for Kids' Cancer was founded by parents inspired by their son's fight against cancer. Today pediatric cancer remains the number one disease killer of children in the United States, due in large part to a lack of funding for research into new and improved therapies. Through the concept of local bake sales and online cookie sales, Cookies for Kids' Cancer inspires individuals, organizations, and businesses to join in the fight against pediatric cancer by raising the funds and awareness necessary to change the facts of pediatric cancer and provide more families with the hope they deserve. Cookies for Kids' Cancer grants funds raised to leading pediatric cancer research facilities including Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Center. For more information, visit www.cookiesforkidscancer.org. Follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cookiesforkidscancer and Twitter www.twitter.com/cookies4kids.

Cookies for Kids' Cancer is a recognized 501©3 public charity. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by the law.

About L'Oreal USA
L'Oreal USA, headquartered in New York City, with 2011 sales of over $5 billion and 9,800 employees, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of L'Oreal SA, the world's leading beauty company. In addition to corporate headquarters in New York, L'Oreal USA has Research and Innovation, Manufacturing and Distribution facilities across six other states including New Jersey, Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Ohio, and Texas. www.lorealusa.com.  Follow us on Facebook at L'Oreal USA - Corporate Facebook Page and Twitter @LOrealUSACorp.

SOURCE L'Oreal USA