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NEW YORK -- September 25, 2008 -- Graphic Systems Group proudly announced today that charity: water’s Sak’s nationwide window displays, promoting the world’s need for clean-water, has raised more than $500,000. The cause raised contributions through the sale of charity: water bracelets in Saks Fifth Avenue store, with more than $140,000 raised at the Summer Gala on the 10th floor of the S5A store in New York City. To further raise awareness for the cause, a charity: water exhibition went up in six Saks windows on 5th avenue, produced by GSG. 100% of the money raised benefited freshwater projects in Central America, India and Sub-Saharan Africa. For more information, go to www.charitywater.org.
charity: water’s president and founder Scott Harrison, notes, “GSG has been a dear friend by continuously supporting us with creative direction, imaginative displays, and thought-provoking imagery. Working with their team, we’ve been able to reach hundreds of thousands with our message. We’re lucky to have them on our side and they’ve been an integral part of our success. It’s been exciting to see their efforts paying immediate dividends in developing nations receiving clean drinking water.”
- The need for clean water now affects one in six worldwide;
- Currently, 1.1 billion people on the planet lack access to clean, safe drinking water;
- 4,500 children die each day from diseases caused by a lack of safe drinking water and proper sanitation;
- In sub-Saharan Africa, a baby’s chance of dying from diarrhea is almost 52 times greater than in the US;
- Diseases like diarrhea are caused by drinking contaminated water, and kill more than 2.2 million people each year -- the equivalent of 20 jumbo jets crashing every day;
- Children under five are the most susceptible to water-borne disease, as their developing bodies often fail to withstand the amount of parasites normally found in contaminated water sources.
charity: water partners with local organizations on the ground to fund freshwater wells and other water solutions. A hand-dug well in Liberia can cost $4,000 while deep wells in Kenya can cost up to $40,000. Underground aquifers provide safe, clean water and can typically be reached by drilling down 100 - 300 feet. When a well is built, each community forms a water committee. These committees are educated about the importance of hand washing and proper sanitation, and are responsible for ensuring that the well stays clean and maintained.
Launched in September 2006, charity: water has raised about $5 million and has funded 633 water projects in 12 countries worldwide. These projects will serve more than 250,000 out of the 1.1 Billion (1 of out of every 6) without access to clean water. charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations.
charity: water’s in-country implementing partners are selected based on the quality of their water and sanitation work on the ground, and their extensive experience and expertise in the field. All proceeds (100% of the money raised) is directed to project costs, and funding sustainable clean water solutions in areas of greatest need. The charity also works to raise awareness of the water crisis through events, fundraising exhibitions and other public awareness campaigns. For more information go to www.charitywater.org.
Editor Note: In less than 2 years, charity: water has been featured in 70+ publications. Many have donated free ad space to help raise awareness about the issue, while others have contributed by writing about our work. For more information, contact Viktoria Alexeeva (viktoria@charitywater.org).
GSG, located in the heart of New York City, is the America’s leading production agency and a primary advocate of Production Decoupling. According to the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), “Production decoupling is the separation of the business of production from creative development.” Since 1979, GSG has been called upon by top Fortune 500 companies such as Citibank, Elizabeth Arden, Maybelline, Revlon, Estée Lauder, NBC, and Colgate Palmolive for their expertise in production. Located in a 40,000 sq. foot facility on Union Square, GSG provides marketers with a range of benefits, most of them measurable in terms of decreased cost and improved efficiencies. Using their landscape of offerings, GSG has prospered in supporting both their clients and their client’s agency with superior quality, accelerated turnaround, and project cost savings. GSG can be found online at http://www.gsgnyc.com.
Copyright 2008. All brand names and product names are the property of their respective owners and may or may not be trademarked.
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