MacKenzie-Childs Announces Partnership with Girls Inc.

AURORA, N.Y., Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MacKenzie-Childs announced its partnership today with Girls Inc., the national organization that helps young women build academic and life skills, confidence and leadership abilities. Through the Girls Inc. Economic Literacy® program, girls learn about the economy while exploring the benefits and challenges of business ownership by interacting with successful women entrepreneurs and companies. In honor of the partnership, MacKenzie-Childs designed a limited-edition Girls Inc. 2011 holiday ornament with proceeds benefiting Girls Inc. The signature ornament is featured in MacKenzie-Childs stores and in the 2011 holiday catalog, retailing at $78. Fifteen dollars of each ornament sold goes to the Girls Inc. organization.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110816/NY52800 )

"Girls Inc. is an organization that we are honored to partner with this year," said Rebecca Proctor, creative director of MacKenzie-Childs, "We share common goals and values with the Girls Inc. team as we continuously look for opportunities to help promote the importance of leadership, entrepreneurship and creativity for young women."

MacKenzie-Childs will continue to support various Girls Inc. programs throughout the year, including the Girls Inc. Gala in Newport Beach, Calif. on October 28. Rebecca Proctor, MacKenzie-Childs creative director, will serve as a keynote speaker, and the Girls Inc. Orange County chapter will hold an auction to raise money for the Girls Inc. organization. In addition to holding a series of fundraising events in its retail stores, MacKenzie-Childs will host Girls Inc. participants for educational and creative experiences at its Aurora-based headquarters and in various MacKenzie-Childs retail stores.

"We are so pleased to announce this partnership with MacKenzie-Childs as they are a company with an incredible entrepreneurial spirit and have a true commitment to nurturing opportunities for all girls and women to fulfill their highest aspirations," said Judy Vredenburgh, President and CEO of Girls Inc. "We look forward to promoting confidence, academic success and the importance of financial planning for young women with the MacKenzie-Childs team."

Girls Inc. delivers life-changing programs that inspire girls to be strong, smart and bold. Research-based curricula delivered by trained professionals equip girls to achieve academically, lead safe and healthy lives, manage money, navigate media messages and discover an interest in science, technology, engineering and math. The Girls Inc. Network consists of different programs such as Girls Inc. Operation Smart®, Girls Inc. Preventing Adolescent Pregnancy®, Girls Inc. Friendly Persuasion®, Girls Inc. Leadership and Community Action(SM), Girls Inc. Media Literacy®, Girls Inc. Economic Literacy®, Girls Inc. Project Bold® and Girls Inc. Sporting Chance®.

About MacKenzie-Childs

For more than 25 years, MacKenzie-Childs has created innovative, original products for homes throughout the world.  The luxury home furnishing and personal accessories company, beloved for its whimsical and distinctive designs, offers colorful, hand-made ceramics, enamelware, glassware, furniture and more.  MacKenzie-Childs' designs combine vibrant colors and patterns to create a fresh aesthetic, best described as "tradition with a twist."  Whether you are looking for tableware, kitchen and bath accessories, furniture, garden items, hostess gifts or wedding gifts, MacKenzie-Childs has something for you.  For more information visit www.mackenzie-childs.com.

About Girls Inc.

Girls Inc. delivers life-changing programs that inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Research-based curricula, delivered by trained professionals, equip girls to achieve academically; lead healthy and physically active lives; manage money; navigate media messages; and discover an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math. The network of local Girls Inc. nonprofit organizations serves 150,000 girls annually at over 1,400 sites in 350 cities across the United States and Canada. Learn more about our programs and advocacy at www.girlsinc.org.

SOURCE MacKenzie-Childs