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VolunteerMatch And Kenneth Cole Partner To Encourage Service And Social Change

VolunteerMatch And Kenneth Cole Partner To Encourage Service And Social Change

Published 11-24-08

Submitted by VolunteerMatch

SAN FRANCISCO, CA. - November 24, 2008 - In a partnership that brings together the fashion world's most visible proponent of social change with the Internet's most popular volunteering network, Kenneth Cole and VolunteerMatch have teamed up to inspire Americans to make a difference in local communities.

Long known for advertising and marketing to raise awareness on issues such as AIDS and homelessness, to commemorate the company's 25th anniversary, Kenneth Cole launched the Awearness Fund, a not-for-profit initiative that celebrates, encourages, and empowers acts of service, volunteerism and social change.

VolunteerMatch, based in San Francisco, Calif., is a national nonprofit organization with programs and services to help individuals and businesses discover and respond to critical needs across the nation. Since 1998, the VolunteerMatch network has facilitated over 3.8 million volunteer referrals to its network of more than 61,000 participating charities.

As part of the initiative, an Awearness/ Volunteer Web site, powered by VolunteerMatch, is now accessible from www.awearness.com (and at kiosks within select Kenneth Cole retail locations.) With the new site, customers can enter their ZIP code and interest areas to find active opportunities to volunteer locally at VolunteerMatch's network of more than 61,000 participating nonprofits.

"One of the biggest obstacles to volunteering is linking potential volunteers with nonprofit needs," said Kenneth Cole. "With VolunteerMatch's simple, unique approach to this challenge "“ the microsite on awearness.com "“ we want to facilitate and encourage volunteer opportunities for anyone who has a willingness to get involved and make a difference."

In addition to the VolunteerMatch partnership, Cole announced several other volunteer-related projects of the Awearness initiative, including:

  • A new book, Awearness: Inspiring Stories About How to Make a Difference. Conceived and edited by Cole, the book is comprised of ninety essays from contributors including some known names like Lance Armstrong, Rosario Dawson, Jon Bon Jovi, and Mayor Gavin Newsom, and some names you may not know but whose stories you won’t likely forget. As a resource guide, the book also includes tips from VolunteerMatch on subjects including employee volunteering, service-learning, group volunteering, and corporate social responsibility, along with other useful information.

  • The Awearness Blog (www.awearnessblog.com), with the mission to encourage a relevant and inspiring dialogue for social change. The blog also includes a volunteer opportunity search widget, powered by VolunteerMatch.

  • The Awearness Alliance, a community of dedicated volunteers who strive to make a difference through service and volunteerism.

  • Sponsorship on www.volunteermatch.org of opportunity searches within the 240 ZIP codes of Kenneth Cole's headquarters of New York City.
"No fashion designer has been more synonymous with social change and community involvement than Kenneth Cole, and this partnership demonstrates that his commitment is just as vital and innovative as ever," said Greg Baldwin, president of VolunteerMatch. "We're proud to support the Awearness initiative."

For more about the Awearness Initiative:
http://www.awearness.com
For more on the Awearness Volunteerism Web site;
http://kennethcole.volunteermatch.org
For more about VolunteerMatch:
http://www.volunteermatch.org

About VolunteerMatch

VolunteerMatch is a national nonprofit that strengthens communities by making it easier for good people and good causes to connect. Its award-winning online service, www.volunteermatch.org, helps visitors find local volunteer opportunities by location, interest area, and/or keyword. The VolunteerMatch network regularly welcomes more than 8 million visitors each year, including millions of participants in employee volunteer programs, and has become the preferred volunteer recruiting service for more than 61,000 nonprofits.


About Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc.

Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. designs, sources, and markets a broad range of footwear, handbags, accessories and apparel under the brand names Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, Unlisted, and Tribeca, as well as footwear under the proprietary trademark Gentle Souls and under the licensed trademark Bongo. The Company recently acquired the Le Tigre trademark and has launched several classifications of the Le Tigre brand at JCPenney stores nationwide. The Company has also granted a wide variety of third party licenses for the production of men's, women's and children's apparel as well as fragrances, watches, jewelry, eyewear, and several other accessory categories. The Company's products are distributed through department stores, better specialty stores, company-owned retail stores and its e-commerce website. Further information can be found at http://www.kennethcole.com.

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VolunteerMatch

VolunteerMatch

VolunteerMatch believes everyone should have the chance to make a difference. As the Web's largest volunteer engagement network, serving over 122,000 participating nonprofits, 100 network partners, and 13 million annual visitors, VolunteerMatch offers unique, award-winning solutions for individuals, nonprofits and companies to make this vision a reality. Since its launch in 1998, VolunteerMatch has helped the social sector attract more than $13 billion worth of volunteer services. Learn more about VolunteerMatch at VolunteerMatch.org, and follow @VolunteerMatch.

 

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