Also Plans Direct Selling Mobilization for Continuing Fundraising
NEW YORK, June 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE: AVP) today
announced that it is committing an additional $5 million (35 million RMB)
for long-term reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of the devastating
earthquake in Sichuan Province in China. The company said that the money
will be donated through a specially established China Earthquake
Reconstruction Fund within the Avon Foundation and that the money will be
disbursed to priority rebuilding initiatives as needs are identified.
In addition, the company said that it plans to mobilize its China
direct selling channel of approximately 600,000 Sales Promoters and a large
network of Beauty Boutique owners to raise further funds in local
communities through sales of a specially developed fundraising product,
with net profits going to the reconstruction. The company said it has had
significant success with these types of fundraising efforts in the past,
including a U.S. fundraising product in 2001 which raised $7 million to aid
children impacted by the tragic events of Sept. 11th.
Avon said that the $5 million contribution and funds raised through the
sale of the fund-raising product will be on top of the company's previously
announced donations in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. Avon's
earlier donations to China earthquake support included:
-- $500,000 (3.5 million RMB) cash donation to the China Red Cross
Foundation to assist children who have lost their parents and elderly
who have lost daughters and sons;
-- $98,000 (688,226 RMB) in personal donations from Avon Sales Promoters
and Beauty Boutique owners in China;
-- $86,000 (600,000 RMB) worth of urgently needed supplies and provisions,
including tents, umbrellas, first aid kits and personal care products;
-- $68,000 (471,843 RMB) in personal donations from Avon China Associates
to the China Red Cross Foundation and the Guangdong Charity Foundation.
Andrea Jung, Avon's chairman and chief executive officer, said: "Avon
is firmly committed to providing significant humanitarian assistance to the
long- term reconstruction of China. While our earlier contributions aimed
to provide relief in the immediate aftermath of this devastating tragedy,
our latest commitment of $5 million and our plan to harness the power of
our grass roots direct selling channel is intended to aid in the
longer-term rebuilding of the impacted areas."
Ms. Jung continued: "Avon has been a committed partner to the People's
Republic of China since we entered the market in 1990 and we intend to
continue our support for the people of China and to provide significant
additional funding for helping to rebuild the areas affected by the
earthquake."
Avon, the company for women, is a leading global beauty company, with
$10 billion in annual revenue. As the world's largest direct seller, Avon
markets to women in well over 100 countries through 5.4 million independent
Avon Sales Representatives. Avon's product line includes beauty products,
fashion jewelry and apparel, and features such well-recognized brand names
as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals and
Mark. Learn more about Avon and its products at http://www.avoncompany.com.
SOURCE Avon Products, Inc.
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CONTACT:
media, Victor Beaudet, +1-212-282-5344,
Sharon Samuel, +1-212-282-5322; investors, Renee Johansen,
+1-212-282-5320
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