K.I.D.S., Fashion Delivers Initiate California Aid Campaign

Aiming to provide relief to the homeless and other families across California—where the unemployment rate has hit 10.5 percent and home values have taken a nosedive—Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) and Fashion Delivers have launched an outreach campaign with a goal of raising more than $5 million in goods from the retail industry. The two charitable organizations will be collecting new children’s merchandise, apparel, home products and consumer packaged goods through June 29 to distribute throughout the state.

Southern California has been hit especially hard, and Los Angeles reportedly has more homeless individuals now than other major cities combined. Aéropostale, Fishman Tobin, Li & Fung USA, Liz Claiborne and Polo are among the companies currently participating in the campaign. “We are acutely aware of, and sensitive to, the unique need for product donations in California,” noted Julian R. Geiger, chairman and CEO of Aéropostale. “As part of an ongoing support of those whose lives are challenged, we have identified Fashion Delivers and K.I.D.S as two very worthy organizations to partner with.”

Companies can help by contacting Carla Fattal of Fashion Delivers at (212) 629-6700 or carla@fashiondelivers.org; or Chris Blake of K.I.D.S. at (212) 279-5493 or cblake@kidsdonations.org. Items donated by California companies or those with a warehouse presence in the vicinity will be picked up from any location and shipped to a recipient agency, where they will be directed to shelters. For further details, visit www.kidsdonations.org.

In This Issue: Preschool properties that translate into consumer products successa Retailers reveal the power of accessories The sports licensing report Plus: Character-based apparel Coming Next Month: Keepsake gifts that appeal to contemporary and traditional consumers Communion wear trends Recession-busting tips from veteran retailers Plus: Versatile special occasion wear