Happy Friday!
When I think of Avon it conjures up an image of the color pink and ladies having tea, talking about their lives, and purchasing great products. I love some of the Avon products so I was absolutely delighted when I found out about the Avon Foundation! A foundation dedicated to empowering women…love it! I had tea with a lovely woman from the Avon Foundation at Au Bon Pain (BTW/love their wraps) a few weeks ago and after a few moments of fun girly chatter we started discussing some extremely important issues facing women. She told me all about the programs that the Avon Foundation had developed and I wanted to share this info with you because you may be interested or know someone who could find the info valuable.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Oh and PS. I will be launching a fashion section to the blog in the spring.Yeah!!! Can’t wait! Open for ideas…
Ally

P3 Chalkboard from www.notneutral.com

THE FACTS…

The Avon Foundation was founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women and their families. By the close of 2008, Avon global philanthropy will have raised and awarded $660 million worldwide.

BREAST CANCER

The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade launched in 1992, and has raised more than $585 million in over 50 countries to advance access to care and research to find a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, and in the US there is a new diagnosis every three minutes. The Avon Crusade raises funds and awareness through the sale of special pink ribbon products sold by Avon Sales Representatives and online, the US Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series, the Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer in over 50 countries, the annual Avon Foundation Gala, free educational literature and Public Service Advertisements. Beneficiaries range from leading cancer centers to community-based non-profit breast health programs, creating a powerful network of research, medical, social service and community-based organizations focused on eradicating breast cancer and ensuring care for all, regardless of ability to pay.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

The Avon Foundation launched the Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program in 2004 to help end the cycle of domestic violence. To date over $10 million has been awarded to 350 US domestic violence organizations for awareness, education, direct services and prevention programs, especially to assist children affected by domestic violence, and in nearly three dozen countries an additional $2 million has been raised to tackle the issue of violence against women. Funds have been raised through special products sold by Avon Sales Representatives and online, and the Need for Speed Relay Against Domestic Violence, including nationwide partner races and a signature event in New York.
As an extension of the Speak Out commitment, in 2008 the Avon Empowerment Fund was launched by Avon Foundation Honorary Chairman Reese Witherspoon at the Global Summit for a Better Tomorrow, presented at the UN by Avon and UNIFEM, the United Nations Development Fund for Women. These efforts include a $1 million commitment to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, the largest one-year corporate contribution to the Trust Fund, with the goal to bolster efforts to implement laws and policies that reduce violence against women. Funds are raised in part by sales of the Avon Empowerment Bracelet, which has been launched in 34 countries.

BACKGROUND

The Avon Foundation and Avon Products Inc. have awarded $17.5 million for women and their families affected by natural disaster or crises since 2001. This started with $7 million raised by the Avon Heart of America Pin sold by Avon Sales Representatives to support families of those lost in the attacks of September 11, 2001, and continued with the Avon Yellow Ribbon Fund to assist military service personnel lost or wounded in Iraq and other conflict. Avon and the Avon Foundation made cash donations in response to the 2004 tsunami in southeast Asia and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the US, and additional funds were raised by sale of the Heart of Asia Pin and the Heart of America Key Chain. Most recently, Avon and the Avon Foundation have made donations for relief and rebuilding after the Chinese earthquake.

www.avonfoundation.org or email info@avonfoundation.org

This entry was posted on Friday, December 19th, 2008 at 5:17 am and is filed under SHE is Uplifting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.