Nautica Raises $1MM Through Consumer Donations For charity: water To Provide Clean, Safe Drinking Water To Over 20,000 People In Developing Countries

NEW YORK, March 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Nautica®, a leading global lifestyle brand, that is inspired by, passionate about, and committed to all things water, has raised $1,000,000 for charity: water to provide clean, safe drinking water to those in need. Through its Give Change to Make Change campaign, Nautica asked consumers to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar in all Nautica stores and on Nautica.com. With the support of charity: water, the $1,000,000 raised by Nautica consumers will not only fund several water projects in Nepal, India, Ethiopia and Malawi, but it will also bring clean water to over 20,000 people in these nations, dramatically improving their quality of life, and even saving lives. In the current water crisis almost 800 million people do not have access to clean, safe drinking water and approximately 4,100 children die each day from water-related diseases.

"Nautica is proud to support charity: water and its powerful mission to help people around the world by providing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. This is a big accomplishment and we are so thankful and proud of our consumers for supporting these efforts," said Karen Murray, President of Nautica.  Added Scott Harrison, Founder and CEO of charity: water, "We've been very impressed with the passion and drive of the Nautica team to help make this campaign a huge success. The water crisis is vast and it's going to take a huge effort from all of us to help the 800 million people currently living without clean water. Nautica's generous donation will help make a meaningful difference."

The monies have funded a variety of water projects in communities in Nepal, India, Ethiopia and Malawi with the help and execution from on-site partners such as WaterAid, Glimmer of Hope and Splash. These local partners go into the communities and build special water filtration systems and drill new wells and tap stands, which provide people access to water that was previously undrinkable. Many of these projects are taking place in community centers and local schools, giving children the opportunity to gain an education.

For more information, visit http://www.nautica.com/nautica-charity-water/.

About Nautica
Founded in 1983, Nautica® is a leading global lifestyle brand ranging from men's, women's and children's apparel and accessories to a complete home collection. Nautica® products are refined casual classics inspired and energized by the water that are always crisp, clean and distinct.  Today Nautica® is available in more than 75 countries with 265 full price Nautica® branded stores and over 2,000 Nautica branded shop-in-shops worldwide.  In 2003, the Company was acquired by VF Corporation, a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel with more than 30 brands, including Wrangler, The North Face,  Lee, Vans, Nautica,  7 For All Mankind, Eagle Creek, Eastpak, Ella Moss, JanSport, lucy, Kipling, Majestic, Napapijri, Red Kap, Reef, Riders, Splendid, Smartwool® and Timberland®. For additional information, please go to www.nautica.com and www.vfc.com.

About charity: water
charity: water is a nonprofit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. We use 100% of public donations to directly fund sustainable water solutions in areas of greatest need. Right now, 800 million people on the planet don't have access clean and safe drinking water. That's one in nine of us. Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80%of diseases and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Children are especially vulnerable, as their bodies aren't strong enough to fight diarrhea, dysentery and other illnesses. In seven years, we've funded 11,621 water projects that will bring 4.1 million people access to clean water in 22 countries.

SOURCE Nautica