Dear Friends,
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With cyclones in Myanmar, earthquakes in China, food scarcity riots in Haiti and new (discouraging) data on maternal and child mortality rates, it is challenging to know where to start. Our focus at Vitamin Angels is to always start where we know we can help save lives.
After repeated interference by Myanmar’s military government, things are finally looking up. We just received clearance that the container we are working on will be able to ship. We have received support from Solgar, NOW Foods, Tishcon and Pharmachem, and will be sending a donation of children’s multiple vitamins to help in the relief effort. Our in country partners at Believer’s Church and Save the Children have been sending us up to date assessments of the situation on the ground. The situation continues to be quite serious but should improve considerably once relief supplies begin getting through.
The riots in Haiti have subsided though food scarcity continues to be a major problem in numerous impoverished countries around the world. During our trip a couple of weeks ago to Guatemala we got to see the results of rising food prices up close. Talking with young moms, we heard about the price of rice escalating dramatically since January (in some areas of the world it has doubled!) and how parents of five often had to share meager portions of rice and beans among their children just to make sure they have something to eat for dinner. Jeff Sachs (The End of Poverty) is calling this the worst food crises in over 30 years.
Three quarters of the 68 countries that are most in need of improving maternal and child mortality rates have made little or no progress in the past three years according to reports issued in April (The Countdown to 2015 for Maternal, Newborn and Child Survival). In light of this data and recent research done in South Asia showing that a single dose of Vitamin A given to newborns 2-3 days after birth, can reduce mortality rates by 20%, Vitamin Angels is making neonate supplementation programs a key focus during the next 3-5 years.
WHAT VITAMIN ANGELS HAS BEEN DOING IN MAY
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UCSD Delta Gamma -
This month, UC San Diego’s Delta Gamma sorority held a whole week of fundraising events to support Vitamin Angels. The fun began with a competition between the fraternities, sororities and 6 colleges on campus- 30 competing teams in all! Collection cans were placed at eateries and $900 was raised through ticket sales for a themed Rollerskate Night. Based on the donations received so far, this has been the most successful fundraising event in Delta Gamma history at UC San Diego. Thanks to everyone who participated!
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Select Nutrition - This month Select Nutrition rallied their vendors to put on a raffle and raise money for Vitamin Angels. There was an outpouring of generosity as prizes were donated, including navigational systems, digital cameras and gift cards. Even New York Giants punter Sean Landenta made an appearance to show his support for Vitamin Angels. The event was a huge success and raised over $2,500. A huge thanks to everyone at Select- you have shown that when we come together we really can make a difference!
The 2008 NBJ Summit - Register Now - Please register soon for this year's 11th Annual NBJ Summit at the St. Regis Hotel – Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, California on July 23-25, 2008. This event is the premier leadership event for CEOs and senior executives in the nutrition, natural and organic products industry. Space is limited to approximately 200 industry leaders so if you are planning on attending, please do not hesitate to register for this year's meeting.
6 NEW VIDEOS on Website! - Vitamin Angels has posted 6 new videos of our work around the world with Operation 20/20. Take a look at a video from India, Malawi, Mozambique, Indonesia, Belize or El Salvador and experience a vitamin distribution first hand. Learn about the struggles and challenges facing these countries and the efforts Vitamin Angels is putting forth to make a difference. A special thanks to Sevan Matossian and Grekian Pictures for the filming and production of these videos! Watch Now
Charity Navigator
Vitamin Angels is proud to announce we have received the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's premier charity evaluator. Less than a quarter of the charities they evaluate have received their highest rating, indicating that Vitamin Angels outperforms the majority of nonprofits in America with respect to fiscal responsibility. We are honored to receive this recognition from Charity Navigator!
To access the report click here:
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=10717
IN THIS ISSUE
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MAY RETAIL PROMOTIONS
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IRWIN NATURALS | Back to Top
This month Vitamin Angels begins a promotion with Irwin Naturals. Irwin Naturals will support its promotion efforts with television advertising, in-store displays, informational brochures, signage and more to create a strong awareness of our programs. Check out the Vitamin Angels set up at a Whole Foods store!
VITAMIN SHOPPE| Back to Top
Starting in May Vitamin Shoppe will be working with Vitamin Angels to raise money for Operation 20/20. Funds will be raised in store at the register. Customers can donate $1 or more to the campaign and sign a Vitamin Angels paper angel to hang in the store. Any customer who donates $5 or more will receive a special Operation 20/20 wrist band. The limited edition t-shirt is available at stores for a donation of $10. On-line customers can also donate with each purchase at www.vitaminshoppe.com and can receive a t-shirt for a donation of $10 or more.
SNIKIDDY | Back to Top
This month Vitamin Angels is doing a promotion with Snikiddy Snacks. When you purchase products such as Mac n Cheese Puffs or Pizza Pie Puffs $0.10 will go directly to Vitamin Angels. Look for the Vitamin Angels logo on choice products.
POMOLOGY | Back to Top
This month Bullwater Health & Fitness, LLC, manufacturer of the Pomology line of pomegranate-based supplements and multivitamins, will be donating a portion of sales from their Men's and Women's Daily Multivitamin formulas to Vitamin Angels.
WEGMANS | Back to Top
When you purchase choice products from Wegmans a portion of the proceeds will go directly to support Vitamin Angels. Look for our logo on certain products such as Newman's Own pretzels and Health Valley cereal bars.
GENUINE HEALTH | Back to Top
Vitamin Angels is working with Genuine Health retailers across Canada.
CORE NATURALS | Back to Top
Starting this month and continuing through 2008, for every bottle of Salba Whole Seed and Salba Ground product sold 25 cents will go directly to Vitamin Angels!
VITAMIN ANGELS AT THE VILLAGE LEVEL | Back to Top
Do you want to get a good idea of how Vitamin Angels' programs look at the village level? Contact us at (info@VitaminAngels.com) and ask for one or more of our DVD's: Operation 20/20, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Asia, or Mississippi. We will happily drop them in the mail to you. Or go to our website at www.VitaminAngels.org and check out all of the videos in our video section!
A Huge Thanks to our Monthly Angels for May!
Tishcon, Vaxa, Metagenics, NOW
Thanks to everyone who supported our work this month: our amazing BOD: Tom Aarts, Barclay Hope, Yvon Bastien, Bill Sechrest, Elliott Balbert, Mehbs Remtulla, Anthony Zolezzi, Clayton Ajello, Peter Van Stolk and Jeff Markel; Steve Allen, Susan Haeger, Peter Hefele and James Tonkin on our BOA; Amy, Miranda and Steve at Pitch Publicity. Jeff Hilton and everyone at IMG; our amazing interns Sarah, Eric, Hava, and Christina.
Vitamin Angels wants to give a special welcome to Jessamyn who just joined our team!
WANTS & NEEDS | Back to Top
We are in need of financial contributions to help support our work. From the recent World Bank book ‘Repositioning Nutrition as Central To Development', it is clear that our need for vitamin supplements is greater than ever before. We need planned production of children's chewable vitamins (multiples), adult multiples, prenatals, and fish oil capsules. Please contact Rachel at: 805 564 8400 or rachel@VitaminAngels.org to arrange for a financial contribution or a product donation.
As always, please forward this newsletter to all of your friends and colleagues. We rely on our supporters and friends to help get the word out and get people to our site (www.VitaminAngels.org) so they can see the scope of what we are accomplishing and make needed contributions. Your support and encouragement makes all of the difference in the world!
Best,
Howard B. Schiffer
President and Founder
Vitamin Angels
PO Box 42029
Santa Barbara, CA 93140 USA
P: 805 564 8400
F: 805 564 8499
E: info@VitaminAngels.org
- Belize - Through an arrangement with Spins, Pharmaca, Presence and the Belize Ministry of Health we have launched a 3 year program in Belize as part of Operation 20/20. We will reach 25,000 Mayan children each year.
- Bolivia - Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Bolivia as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 58,000 children.
- Burkina Faso - Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Burkina Faso as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 375,000 children.
- Dominican Republic - The DR program sponsored by UNFI, is slated to be a three year campaign to reach 55,000 children per year. We are distributing multivitamins daily and antiparastics two times per year. Our program partners are Direct Relief International, who will handle all to-country shipping and Batey Relief International, who will handle all in-country distribution.
- El Salvador - Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to El Salvador as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 4,000 children.
- Haiti - Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Haiti as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 138,000 children and 21,000 lactating mothers and their babies.
- Honduras - This program is sponsored by Sight & Life (DSM), UNFI, Anabolic Laboratories, United Flavors, Domino Foods, George Washington University, Pan American Health Organization and Medpharm. This program is reaching 55,000 children per year for three years. Our in-country partners are Cristo Salva, Ministry of Health and PAHO. We are distributing children's multivitamins and antiparastics (the multivitamins are given daily and the antiparastics are given twice a year). Recent photos show new gardens that children have planted at their schools with crops high in Vitamin A!
- India - Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson our campaign in India is in its fourth year and is now reaching 1 million nursing mothers and children with vitamin A and deworming tablets - both the vitamin A and the deworming are given two times per year.
- Indonesia - Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Indonesia as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 320,000 children and 60,000 lactating mothers and their babies
- Malawi - Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Malawi as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 90,000 children.
- Mali (Sahel) - Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Mali as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 25,000 children.
- Mississippi - Ruleville Mississippi is a very poor rural district in the Mississippi Delta. With the support of Univera and their Serve First Program, we are now reaching 2,000 children with a daily nutrition supplement; Ageless Essentials.
- Mozambique - Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Mozambique as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 720,000 children and 110,000 lactating mothers and their babies.
- Myanmar - Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Myanmar as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 343,000 children and 7,000 lactating mothers and their babies.
- Nepal - Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Nepal as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 333,000 children.
- Nicaragua - Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Nicaragua as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 500,000 children.
- Pakistan - Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Pakistan as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 385,000 children and 835,000 lactating mothers and their babies.
- Philippines - We are doing a deworming program in partnership with Save the Children reaching 250,000 kids per year. This program began in the first quarter of 2006 and is now slated to run through the last quarter of 2007.
- Sudan - Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Sudan as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 40,000 children.
- Tibet - In this program we work closely with Dr. Nancy Harris who is the founder of Terma. We've distributed up to 2 million children's multiples per month.
- Uganda - Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Uganda as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 175,000 children.
- Vietnam - Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Vitenam as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 376,600 children and 2,000 lactating mothers and their babies.