CaribPR Wire

Teen Retailer will match the first 100,000 jeans donated thru the Teens for Jeans campaign with brand new jeans for Haiti disaster victims

 NEW YORK, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — In support of its third annual “Teens for Jeans” initiative with teen not-for-profit DoSomething.org, NYC-based teen retailer Aeropostale, Inc. (NYSE: ARO) announced it will be matching the first 100,000 pairs donated with brand new jeans to be delivered to the victims of the Haiti earthquake. 

 ”Teens for Jeans” raises awareness about the youth homelessness epidemic by inspiring teens across the U.S. and Canada to collect gently worn jeans and donate them to homeless youth in their own communities. In response to the earthquake in Haiti, Aeropostale, Inc. and DoSomething.org are extending the campaign’s reach beyond the U.S. and Canada to help teens affected by the disaster.

 ”Most teens don’t have credit cards or disposable income, but they want to make a difference,” says DoSomething.org Chief Marketing Officer Aria Finger.  “DoSomething.org never asks teens for money — we just want their passion, creativity, time and now their jeans.”

The campaign collected over 200,000 pairs of jeans in 2009 and this year teens are already gearing up to top that effort.

“Teens for Jeans is one of the cornerstones of Aeropostale’s charitable efforts to benefit teens. What makes this year’s campaign so special is the opportunity for us all to think locally and act globally,” says Aeropostale’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, Scott Birnbaum.  “The crisis in Haiti makes us painfully aware that help is needed not only in our own backyards but in communities everywhere.”

 Twilight: New Moon star Ashley Greene and funnyman Justin Long came together to shoot a Public Service Announcement for the campaign.

 ”When I heard the statistics, it was hard to ignore. Teens everywhere want to help with this important issue of youth homelessness and now the earthquake in Haiti,” explains Ashley Greene.” I want to do everything I can to help young people take action, and ‘Teens for Jeans’ is a great way for them to get involved.”

 ”I got involved with this campaign because it is so important that no teen goes this winter without warm clothes,” Justin Long adds. “I want every fan to join me in bringing their jeans into any Aero store to make this the most successful year ever.”

 You can view their PSA at TeensforJeans.com.

Starting Tuesday, January 19th until Sunday, February 14th, people are encouraged to bring in any brand of their gently worn jeans to any Aeropostale store in the U.S. and Canada. Aeropostale, Inc. and DoSomething.org will make sure the jeans are donated teens in Haiti as well as to one of the 600 local youth shelters that have been selected as partners.  As an extra incentive for those who donate, Aeropostale will give an additional 25% off a new pair of jeans, though no purchase is necessary. Donors will also have the chance to win signed jeans from Kellan Lutz, Kelly Clarkson, cast members of 90210, Glee, Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill and many more of today’s young stars.

 In addition to getting customers involved in stores, Aeropostale, Inc. and DoSomething.org are encouraging teenagers in their local high schools and colleges to coordinate “Teens for Jeans” school drives.  Students who collect more than 500 pairs of jeans will receive a banner for their school, recognition on the DoSomething.org and Aeropostale websites and the chance to win a pizza party for their entire class.

To learn how to get involved or for more information about teen homelessness and what you can do, visit teensforjeans.com.

 About Aeropostale, Inc.

Aeropostale, Inc. is a mall-based, specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories, principally targeting 14 to 17 year-old young women and men through its Aeropostale® stores and 7 to 12 year-old kids through its P.S. from Aeropostale™ stores. The Company provides customers with a focused selection of high-quality, active-oriented, fashion and fashion basic merchandise at compelling values. Aeropostale® maintains control over its proprietary brands by designing, sourcing, marketing and selling all of its own merchandise. Aeropostale® products can only be purchased in its Aeropostale stores and online at www.aeropostale.com. P.S. from Aeropostale™ products can be purchased in P.S. from Aeropostale™ stores and online at www.ps4u.com. The Company currently operates 894 Aeropostale stores in 49 states and Puerto Rico, 44 Aeropostale stores in Canada and 14 P.S. from Aeropostale stores in 5 states. 

 About Do Something

DoSomething.org is one of the largest organizations in the United States that helps young people rock causes they care about  A driving force in creating a culture of volunteerism, DoSomething.org in on track to activate two million young people in 2011. By leveraging the web, television, mobile, and pop culture, DoSomething.org inspires, empowers and celebrates a generation of doers:  teenagers who recognize the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action.  Plug in at www.DoSomething.org.

 SPECIAL NOTE: THIS PRESS RELEASE AND ORAL STATEMENTS MADE FROM TIME TO TIME BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMPANY CONTAIN CERTAIN “FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS” CONCERNING EXPECTATIONS FOR SALES, STORE OPENINGS, GROSS MARGINS, EXPENSES, STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND EARNINGS.  ACTUAL RESULTS MIGHT DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE PROJECTED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. AMONG THE FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO MATERIALLY DIFFER INCLUDE, CHANGES IN THE COMPETITIVE MARKETPLACE, INCLUDING THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW PRODUCTS OR PRICING CHANGES BY OUR COMPETITORS, CHANGES IN THE ECONOMY AND OTHER EVENTS LEADING TO A REDUCTION IN DISCRETIONARY CONSUMER SPENDING; SEASONALITY; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGES IN SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND OTHER CONDITIONS AND THE POSSIBLE ADVERSE IMPACT OF CHANGES IN IMPORT RESTRICTIONS; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH UNCERTAINTY RELATING TO THE COMPANY’S ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT ITS GROWTH STRATEGIES, AS WELL AS THE OTHER RISK FACTORS SET FORTH IN THE COMPANY’S FORM 10-K AND QUARTERLY REPORTS ON FORM 10-Q, FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THE COMPANY UNDERTAKES NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE OR REVISE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS TO REFLECT SUBSEQUENT EVENTS.

Company establishes matching relief fund through Henry Schein Cares Foundation

 MELVILLE, N.Y., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — In response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC), the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, medical and animal health practitioners, and its supplier partners have earmarked $1 million in life-saving medical supplies to partner non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are providing relief.

 Within hours of the reports of the earthquake, pallets of much needed supplies were prepared for shipment to partner NGOs, including AmeriCares, Direct Relief International, Heart to Heart International, International Medical Corps, LDS Charities and Medshare through Henry Schein Cares, the Company’s global social responsibility program.  As part of Henry Schein Cares disaster preparedness efforts, the Company already had pallets of essential supplies packed and on site at the warehouses of several partner NGOs to ensure immediate response to humanitarian emergencies.  These products are already on their way to Haiti. 

 ”As Haitian officials continue to assess the damage caused by this tragic earthquake, Henry Schein Cares is working closely with our partner NGOs to seek opportunities to support humanitarian relief efforts,” said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Henry Schein.  “We stand ready to do our part to support our NGO partners and are committed to quickly getting these essential medical relief supplies on the ground to those who need them.” 

In the past, Henry Schein Cares has responded to other disasters including the cyclone in Myanmar and earthquake in China in 2008, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the U.S. Gulf Coast; the 2004 Asian tsunami; the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan; the conflict in Israel, Lebanon, and Palestine; and September 11.

To enable Team Schein Members and others outside of the Company to support relief efforts in a coordinated way, the Company also has established a Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund through the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization.  Henry Schein will match all donations contributed to this fund by Team Schein Members, and the proceeds will be applied directly and completely to relief efforts.  Anyone wishing to contribute to this fund should make the check payable to “Henry Schein Cares Foundation” with “Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund” noted in the memo of the check, and send it to Dewi Wijaya at Henry Schein, Inc., 135 Duryea Road, Melville, NY  11747.  Donations to the Henry Schein Cares Foundation are tax deductible in the United States.

 About Henry Schein

Henry Schein, a Fortune 500® company and a member of the NASDAQ 100® Index, is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices.  The Company’s four business groups – Dental, Medical, International and Technology – serve more than 590,000 customers worldwide, including dental practitioners and laboratories, physician practices and animal health clinics, as well as government and other institutions.  The Company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, which provides customers in more than 200 countries with a comprehensive selection of more than 90,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 100,000 additional products available as special-order items.  Henry Schein also provides exclusive, innovative technology offerings for dental, medical and veterinary professionals, including value-added practice management software and electronic health record solutions.

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein employs more than 13,500 people and has operations or affiliates in 23 countries.  The Company’s net sales reached a record $6.4 billion in 2008.  Henry Schein has been ranked first in its industry for social responsibility for five consecutive years in Fortune’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies.  For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.

Will Make Direct Grant of $50,000 to American Red Cross and Match Up to $150,000 in Employee Contributions

 ISLANDIA, N.Y., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — CA (Nasdaq: CA) today announced it will contribute $50,000 to support the American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti and match up to $150,000 in employee contributions to various relief agencies.

 ”The devastation in Haiti is massive and our thoughts go out to those affected by this tragedy,” said Bill Hughes, CA’s corporate senior vice president of global communications. “CA and its employees have a long history of providing disaster relief to people and communities in need. We are making an appeal to our employees around the world to consider donating to the relief efforts through CA’s matching gifts program and will match up to $150,000 of these donations.”

 Hughes added that the Company is setting up donation centers at its large offices around the world to collect food and clothing to send to Haiti.

 The efforts are part of the Company’s CA Together program, which helps build strong and productive global communities through a wide variety of means, including IT Partnerships, Community Grants, Employee Volunteer Programs and Matching Gifts.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090402/NYTH500LOGO)

About CA

 Nasdaq: CA), the world’s leading independent IT management software company, helps customers optimize IT for better business results. CA’s Enterprise IT Management solutions for mainframe and distributed computing enable Lean IT—empowering organizations to more effectively govern, manage and secure their IT operations. For more information, visit http://www.ca.com.

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 Copyright © 2010 CA. All Rights Reserved. One CA Plaza, Islandia, N.Y. 11749. All trademarks, trade names, service marks, and logos referenced herein belong to their respective companies.

MIAMI, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ — Miami based airline, Amerijet International, Inc. has teamed up with World Fuel Services to donate a relief flight from Miami to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

 Amerijet International, Inc. will open its facilities in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Houston and New York as of tomorrow January 15, 2010 to collect rice, dried beans, tents and money. All donations will be transported to Haiti by air and should only contain these types of goods, which are critical at this time to feed and shelter the homeless.  All cash donations collected will be given to the Fort Lauderdale based organization The Women of the Roundtable. The Women of the Roundtable have established a Rescue Efforts Relief Fund which will be used to purchase food supplies.

 Donation Locations – Amerijet International, Inc.:

 Miami: 3401-A N.W. 72nd Ave., Miami, FL 33122 

Fort Lauderdale: 2800 South Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316 USA

Houston: 15415 International Plaza Dr., Suite 180, Houston, Texas 77032

New York: 179-02 150th Avenue, Jamaica, New York 11434 

 The airline will work with the local relief agencies in Haiti who will ensure that the donated food and tents will be distributed to those in need.

 Amerijet operates weekly scheduled all-cargo flights to Haiti.  Our airport warehouse and offices are operational and staffed to resume normal cargo operations.  Due to government restrictions, commercial cargo is prohibited and Amerijet is only accepting relief supplies for its scheduled flights to Haiti.

 ”We are grateful to be able to help bring food and shelter to those whose lives might seem hopeless in this time of need and we are committed to working together to help the people of Haiti to rebuild their communities and lives,” said David Bassett, CEO of Amerijet. “Amerijet has been serving the Haitian community with weekly cargo flights since 1995 and we have always honored our commitment to the communities we serve.”

Amerijet International, Inc. is a full-service multi-modal transportation and logistics provider, offering international, scheduled all-cargo transport via land, sea, and air. Florida-based Amerijet operates offices all over the world, serving destinations throughout the Americas, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Amerijet operates Boeing 727-200 and Boeing 767-200 aircraft from its primary hub at Miami International Airport, with 210,000-square-foot export and 100,000-square-foot imports air cargo handling facilities and a 50,000-square-foot ocean cargo facility. A custom-built 10,300 square-foot (227,419 cu. ft.) cooling facility was specially designed to maintain the cool chain integrity of perishables during the transportation process. In addition to the state-of-the-art design features, multiple pre-cooling systems, and 24 hour surveillance, the refrigerated storage space is subdivided into four climate-controlled chambers offering not only refrigerated, but frozen, and chilled storage. For additional information, visit Amerijet on the web at www.amerijet.com.

Comfort Inn Hotel Will Be First Global Hotel Brand for Haiti in More Than a Decade; Island will Also Be Home to Ascend Collection Member Hotel

 SILVER SPRING, Md., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ — While hotel development across the globe has slowed, leading lodging company Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is pleased to announce the future addition of two new Caribbean hotels to its portfolio of more than 6,000 franchised properties worldwide. The new Comfort Inn hotel and Ascend Collection member hotel mark the first-ever Choice-brand properties for the island of Haiti, further expanding the great Choice Hotels lodging options for travelers across the Caribbean. The Comfort Inn hotel which will open in 2010 will mark the first global hotel brand that the island of Haiti has hosted in more than a decade.

“Choice is extremely proud to take a leadership position in revitalizing Haiti’s tourism product,” said Brian Parker, vice president of emerging markets and new business development for Choice Hotels. “We are equally excited to work with a company the caliber of SIMACT to bring two of our brands to the island.”  

 Both hotels will be located in Haiti’s historic township of Jacmel, known as the island’s cultural center thanks to its popular carnival festivities and arts, music and film festivals. The Comfort Inn hotel will feature 32 guest rooms with breathtaking views of the shores of the Caribbean Sea, featuring all the amenities travelers can expect from Comfort Inn hotels, including free breakfast and free high-speed Internet access.

 The newly-built luxury Ascend Collection member hotel will offer 120 elegantly-appointment guestrooms and is planned as part of the area’s new Belle Rive development project, which will also include a residential community, retail, dining, entertainment, recreational and marina facilities. This Ascend Collection member hotel will be the second Caribbean location for the membership program after its first location in the region — Le Consulat hotel of San Juan, Puerto Rico — opened in late 2008.

 ”Our Ascend Collection program is an excellent membership opportunity for upscale independent hotels and we are thrilled that the Caribbean is at the forefront of our international expansion,” said Kevin Lewis, brand president of upscale and extended stay for Choice Hotels.

 ”The new collaborative relationship between Choice Hotels and SIMACT will have a significantly positive impact on the burgeoning tourism industry of the southeastern coast of Haiti,” said Lesly Kernisant, president of SIMACT, owner of the new Comfort Inn hotel and Ascend Collection member hotel.

 Choice Hotels currently boasts 9 Caribbean properties, a total of 815 guestrooms, in the Bahamas, Cayman Island, Curacao, Puerto Rico, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Ascend Collection is an elite network of Historic, Unique and Boutique member hotels that made its debut at the end of 2008 and now has more than 30 hotels throughout the United States, Canada and now, the Caribbean. For more information on Choice Hotels, visit choicehotels.com.

About SIMACT

SIMACT, Inc. is a New York-based company with a range of investment interests that are focused upon the Republic of Haiti. SIMACT (Societe Immobiliere d’Agriculture, de Commerce, et de Tourisme) was founded in 1996 by a group of Haitian professionals, initially focusing upon real estate development opportunities. The company, which began with six investors, now has 51 shareholders. It has expanded the original vision of the founders and now encompasses investment and ownership in several key areas of enterprise – tourism, mining, financial services, and agriculture. With a capitalization investment in excess of $5,000,000, the company is now poised to take full advantage of its position as one of the most dynamic and progressive American companies engaged in business undertakings in Haiti. SIMACT is currently engaged in several exciting new initiatives in the areas of tourism, mining, and financial services that are based upon the platform of development and success that the company has experienced to date.

 About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,000 hotels, representing more than 485,000 rooms in the United States and more than 35 other countries and territories. As of September 30, 2009, more than 700 hotels are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 59,000 rooms, and more than 100 hotels, representing approximately 9,400 rooms, are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in more than 20 other countries and territories. The company’s Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands serve guests worldwide. In addition, via its Ascend Collection membership program, travelers in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean have upscale lodging options at historic, boutique and unique hotels.

 Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Web site, which may be accessed at www.choicehotels.com.

 Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and Ascend Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.

(C) 2009 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.