Ikea raises $2.3M for Save the Children, UNICEF
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, April 28, 2006
Plymouth Meeting, Pa. — Home furnishings retailer Ikea raised more than $2.3 million for Save the Children and UNICEF through an initiative it called "A Child's Smile is Worth So Much"
Ikea donated $1 to the child advocacy organizations for each soft toy sold at most of its stores.
Funds donated to Save the Children will benefit its education programs in Bhutan. UNICEF is using its donation toward its child protection, health and education programs to help children in need around the world.
"We are ... thankful to our hundreds of thousands of customers who demonstrated the true spirit of the holiday season by participating in this initiative," said John Zurcher, social responsibility and environment manager for Ikea U.S. "The holiday season should be the most joyous time of the year for children and families everywhere. By teaming up with Save the Children and UNICEF, Ikea, its co-workers and customers are continuing to do their parts in making the world a stronger, more caring community."
Charles MacCormack, president and CEO of Save the Children, said he is grateful for the retailer's promotion.
"Many more children and teachers in schools in some of the most remote communities in Bhutan will benefit from the funds raised through this program," he said.
Charles J. Lyons, president of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, echoed MacCormack.
"The support of companies like Ikea and their patrons help UNICEF achieve its mission to bring basic care and education to children who need it most," he said "This donation will bring life-saving polio vaccinations to children in Niger and support UNICEF programs for children and parents in other countries."
Ikea also is donating 335,000 quilts to UNICEF in support of earthquake relief in Kashmir. The first shipment has arrived in the earthquake-ravaged region.
Ikea's U.S. stores have supported UNICEF programs around the world for 20 years with programs including holiday card sales, which raised more than $300,000 this season.
Our Community is an occasional roundup of stories about contributions and activities by industry companies and people that benefit their communities.
-
Pier 1, UNICEF team up on tetanus
May 11, 2006
Featured Company
-
Wright Labels
Bill and Tom Wright founded Wright of Thomasville in 1961 on the idea that printing was a creative medium and the belief that "a promise made is a promise kept." The Wright brothers focused their attention on providing exceptional printing for the... more
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
