CROCS, INC., JETBLUE AIRWAYS AND THE ELLIOTT FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE SHOE DONATION PROGRAM DURING THE THIRD ANNUAL DOMINICAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
October 28, 2007 (PRLEAP.COM) Entertainment News
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, October 29, 2007 – Crocs’ SolesUnitedSM, JetBlue Airways and The Elliott Foundation announced today a plan to provide 10,000 newly recycled Crocs™ shoes to children in need of footwear in the Dominican Republic. Renowned actor Manny Perez and four members of the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP), of which Crocs, Inc. is the title sponsor, will be on hand at the upcoming Dominican International Film Festival on November 8 – 11, 2007 at Sun Village Resort & Spa in Cofresi Beach, Dominican Republic to make the donation. SolesUnitedSM is a first of its kind, charitable organization focused on donating quality recycled footwear to those in need throughout the world. SolesUnitedSM represents Crocs’ commitment to social responsibility through a variety of environmental and humanitarian efforts. SolesUnited provides an avenue for the company to give back to the world community.
The SolesUnitedSM program, which is slated to donate one million pairs in its first year of existence, uses scrap material as well as recycled Crocs™ shoes to create a new footwear product for those in need. The generosity and participation of corporate and foundation partners will help us reach this goal. To get involved or learn more about this program, visit www.SolesUnited.com.
The Crocs/AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour is focused on the production, marketing and distribution of professional beach volleyball events worldwide. AVP operates the industry's most prominent national touring series, the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, which was organized in 1983. Featuring more than 150 of the top men and women competitors in the sport, AVP will stage 18 events throughout the United States in 2008. AVPCares™ was created from Commissioner Leonard Armato's vision and belief that the Tour and its players should dedicate themselves to the community. With five successful years behind it, AVPCares™ will continue through into 2008 to engage in various humanitarian efforts, awareness campaigns and fundraising events with the players and their sponsors in an effort to support various programs and organizations that also serve to improve the lives of the youth of America and around the world.
A beach volleyball court will be set up at the festival and local children will be invited to play with and against the AVP players.
The Elliott Foundation, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the well-being of Dominican children, has partnered with Crocs, Inc., the SolesUnited program and the airline partner of the film festival, JetBlue to help distribute shoes to the communities within the Dominican that are most in need during this year’s Dominican International Film Festival. Perez, who will be awarded the JetBlue Humanitarian Award at this year’s Festival, will join these three organizations to assist in delivering the Crocs™.
“I am proud to be a part of this wonderful project and to work with The Elliott Foundation, JetBlue and Crocs, Inc. to make a change in the lives of children and families in the Dominican Republic,” said Manny Perez. “Even though I spent a majority of my childhood in the United States, I have never forgotten my Dominican heritage. It is important to be reminded of the blessings we possess in life and give back to those in need.”
Perez, best known for his roles in this year’s critically acclaimed “El Cantante” starring opposite Jennifer Lopez and Mark Anthony and the hit television series “Rescue Me,” will also be hosting a children’s film program during the festival. The program is being held by the Canadian-based Director’s Cut and will allow 24 children, including 12 local Dominican children, to gain experience in filmmaking.
This marks the first partnership between Crocs, Inc. and The Elliott Foundation, the non-profit foundation of Elliott, the dynamic parent company of Sun Village Resort & Spa and Maxim Bungalows.
“We are pleased to be working with The Elliott Foundation and JetBlue Airways at this year’s Dominican International Film Festival and to be making a difference in the Dominican Republic,” said Anthony Curci, Senior Director, Corporate Responsibility. “The Festival and The Elliott Foundation have helped make it possible for SolesUnitedSM to continue its outreach to those in need of shoes while bringing joy to feet around the world.”
For more information about the Dominican International Film Festival, please visit www.dominicaninternationalfilmfestival.com.
About Crocs, Inc.
Crocs, Inc. is a rapidly growing designer, manufacturer and retailer of footwear for men, women and children under the Crocs™ brand. All Crocs™ brand shoes feature Crocs’ proprietary closed-cell resin, Croslite™, which represents a substantial innovation in footwear. The Croslite™ material enables us to produce soft, comfortable, lightweight, superior-gripping, non-marking and odor-resistant shoes. These unique elements make Crocs™ footwear ideal for casual wear, as well as for professional and recreational uses such as boating, hiking, hospitality and gardening. The versatile use of the material has enabled us to successfully market our products to a broad range of consumers.
Crocs™ are sold in more than 80 countries and come in a wide array of colors and styles. Please visit www.crocs.com for additional information.
JetBlue Airways
New York-based JetBlue Airways has created a new airline category based on value, service and style. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue is now pleased to offer customers the most legroom throughout coach (based on average fleet-wide seat pitch for U.S. airlines). JetBlue is also America's first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue's control. Visit www.jetblue.com/promise for details. JetBlue serves 53 cities with up to 525 daily flights. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required.
For information or reservations call 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583) or visit www.jetblue.com.
About The Elliott Foundation
The Elliott Foundation is a charitable agency that helps fund schools, orphanages and other relief projects related to the protection and welfare of children in the local communities of Dominican Republic. It was co-founded by Derek Elliott, the CEO of Elliott, the dynamic parent company that manages and operates Sun Village Resorts and Maxim Bungalows.
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