U.S. Fund for UNICEF Announces 2010 Holiday Gifts that Give Back

UNICEF Enables Holiday Shoppers to Give the Gift of Life to Millions of Children

NEW YORK, Nov. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S Fund for UNICEF today announced the 2010 holiday card and gift collection, UNICEF Inspired Gifts and a lineup of holiday activities in partnership with some of the world's top brands. All money raised through UNICEF's holiday "gifts that give back" program will help in its mission of reducing the number of daily, preventable deaths in children under 5 from 22,000 to zero.

"UNICEF does whatever it takes to protect and save every child," said President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF Caryl Stern. "This holiday season you and your family can be part of these lifesaving efforts."

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF will once again offer Inspired Gifts, allowing shoppers to purchase lifesaving supplies that can make an immediate and dramatic difference in the lives of children in need – including much needed medical supplies, nutritional supplements for malnourished children, hand pumps to ensure safe drinking water and sturdy tents for emergency shelter.

UNICEF is also offering its traditional holiday card and gift collection. This year's gift collection includes everything from hand-beaded Indian ornaments to henna candles, baroque pearls and a variety of toys. A portion of the sale of each item goes towards saving and improving the lives of children in more than 150 countries. For more than 60 years, UNICEF has sold its iconic holiday greeting cards, which can be purchased online at www.unicefusa.org, by calling 1-800-553-1200, and at Pier 1 Imports, IKEA and select Hallmark Gold Crown stores.

Partner companies that will conduct holiday activities supporting UNICEF for 2010 include:

• IKEA "Soft Toys" -- Continuing its commitment to the idea that all children have the right to an education, for each soft toy purchased in IKEA stores between November 1st and December 24th, IKEA will make a donation of 1 euro (approximately $1.39) to help support UNICEF and Save the Children's education projects globally. This is the 7th consecutive year of the campaign, which has raised over $31 million to support 8 million children in 40 countries worldwide.
• Gucci -- Gucci announced a $1 million donation to UNICEF's "Schools for Africa" initiative in honor of the company's partnership with UNICEF and the launch of the new Gucci children's collection. Additional Gucci activities in support of UNICEF and "Schools for Africa" -- a UNICEF initiative in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Hamburg Society which aims to increase access to quality basic education for millions of children in Africa -- include:
• Gucci Sukey bag – In 2010, Gucci launched the third annual "Gucci for UNICEF" campaign.  The special edition "Gucci for UNICEF" Sukey bag, designed by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini in grey "La Pelle Guccissima" leather, is being sold in Gucci stores in over 20 countries worldwide and at gucci.com from April 15, 2010 until February 28, 2011.  Gucci will donate 25% of the retail price from all sales of the "Gucci for UNICEF" bag to support UNICEF.    
  • Gucci U-Play Timepieces -- Gucci Timepieces announced a donation of $70,000 in honor of a new special model of the U-Play watch, also designed by Giannini.

Since the Gucci partnership with UNICEF began in 2005, Gucci has committed over USD $9 million to UNICEF.

• American Airlines -- Through January 15, 2011, American Airlines AAdvantage® members can earn two AAdvantage miles (maximum award of 2,000 miles per AAdvantage member) for every $1 donated at www.unicefusa.org/aa to support UNICEF's lifesaving programs.

• FEED Guatemala Bags/Lord & Taylor -- FEED Guatemala bags celebrate traditional crafts of Guatemala and sales help UNICEF combat malnutrition in the country.  For every FEED 1 Guatemala pouch and FEED 3 Guatemala bag sold at Lord & Taylor stores in the U.S. and online, FEED will donate $3.50 or $10.50 respectively to help support UNICEF's nutrition for children under the age of five in Guatemala.
• H&M – Throughout the Holiday Season, H&M customers in stores in over 30 countries around the world will be invited to make a donation at the register to support UNICEF through "Give a child the gift of clean water".  Based on the amount of the donation made, H&M customers will receive either one or a pack of 6 specially designed H&M holiday gift box stickers.
• Delta Air Lines – Delta SkyMiles® members can put their unused frequent flyer miles to good use by donating them to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.  

Earlier this year, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF was notified by the leading charitable watchdog agency, Charity Navigator, that it has received its highest possible rating for the sixth consecutive year. Only three percent of the charities rated have received at least six consecutive four-star evaluations, indicating that the U.S. Fund for UNICEF consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other charities in America. Additionally, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF meets the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance's Standards for Charity Accountability.

For more information or to select and purchase your gift, please visit www.unicefusa.org/holidaypromotions.

About UNICEF

UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in more than 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States.

UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress: the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from 13 million in 1990 to 8.8 million in 2008. But still, 22,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF