Concern Worldwide US partners with American Eagle Outfitters to
sell T-shirts to raise funds to rebuild schools in Haiti
NEW YORK, Dec 29, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Concern Worldwide US and American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO)
today announced a partnership to raise funds to rebuild and support
schools in Haiti. Ten months after the devastating January 12 earthquake
that killed more than 200,000 people, 1.3 million are still living in
tent cities in Port-au-Prince, and more than 500,000 children need the
opportunity to get a good education.
Beginning January 3, 2011, limited-edition, AE-designed "Help Haiti
Heal" T-shirts will be sold in more than 900 American Eagle
Outfitters stores throughout the U.S., and worldwide at www.ae.com/haiti.
The T-shirts were made in Haiti, by Haitians, to mark the first
anniversary of the earthquake and raise awareness about the continuing
need to help Haiti heal. The entire purchase price of US $15.50 will be
donated to Concern Worldwide's education program in Haiti, with the
potential to raise as much as US $1 million.
International superstars like The Edge, Ryan Seacrest, The Script,
Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo, Paul Bettany, Don Cheadle, Garcelle
Beauvais, Shaggy and Sean Paul - to name but a few - have come on board
to help spread the word and encourage everyone to buy and wear a "Help
Haiti Heal" T-shirt. Celebrity images will be featured on the
25-story LED screens outside American Eagle Outfitters' Times Square
flagship store.
The proceeds raised from the sale of the Help Haiti Heal T-shirts
will contribute to Concern's overall education program in Haiti, which
will reach 30,000 children. The proceeds raised from the sale of the
Help Haiti Heal t-shirts will:
-
Rebuild and repair two schools that were destroyed during the
earthquake
-
Train 40 new teachers and school officers.
-
Provide 1,000 earthquake-affected children with access to primary
education.
-
Equip the two schools with classroom furniture (desks, chairs),
learning resources and teaching equipment.
-
Install clean water systems, latrines and sanitation at the two
schools.
-
Ensure that the most vulnerable children in the communities receive a
primary education.
-
Help pay the salaries of teachers.
Shaggy said of the "Help Haiti Heal" T-shirts: "While Haiti faces
many difficult obstacles as it tries to rebuild after the devastating
January 12th earthquake, ensuring our children get the
education they deserve is a vital part of the rebuilding process."
"American Eagle Outfitters customers are socially conscious, and
committed to providing help to those in need," said Fred Grover,
Executive Vice President of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. "The "Help
Haiti Heal' t-shirts enable our customers to support Haiti financially,
and also to raise awareness by wearing the T-shirt. We are proud to do
our small part to help get Haiti's education system back up and running."
CEO of Concern Worldwide, Tom Arnold, said: "As part of its
constitution, every Haitian has the right to free primary education.
However, with an estimated 500,000 children not enrolled in schools
before the earthquake and 85 percent of schools damaged or destroyed
during the January 12th earthquake, which killed 38,000
children, helping rebuild and repair Haiti's education system is now
more critical than ever before."
Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organization that has
been active in Haiti since 1994. Concern was at the forefront of
emergency response efforts in the wake of the January 12th
earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince. Managing 13 camps for
displaced people - and meeting the humanitarian needs of more than
110,000 people - Concern is currently focused on the country's long-term
recovery.
About American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., through its subsidiaries, ("AEO, Inc.")
offers high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care
products at affordable prices. The American Eagle Outfitters(R) brand
targets 15 to 25 year old girls and guys, with 937 stores in the U.S.
and Canada and online at www.ae.com.
Aerie(R) by American Eagle offers Dormwear(R) and intimates collections for
the AE(R) girl, with 147 standalone stores in the U.S. and Canada and
online at www.aerie.com.
The latest brand, 77kids by American Eagle(R), is available online only at www.77kids.com,
as well as at nine stores across the nation. The 77kids(R) brand small
sizes and great big style for kids 0-14. AE.COM(R), the online home of the
brands of AEO, Inc., ships to more than 76 countries worldwide.
SOURCE: American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
Shadow PR for American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
Ashley Bez
Office: 212-972-0277
Mobile: 914-584-2221
Ashley@shadowpr.com
or
Concern Worldwide
Elizabeth Wright
Office: 212-557-8000
Mobile: 718-427-5480
elizabeth.wright@concern.net