Nov 27, 2012

Monkeez Makes a Difference Delivers Initial Donations to Three Charity Partners

Monkeez Makes a Difference, the new educational, charitable program for children from MVP Group International, announced it has delivered its first round of donations to three nationally renowned charity partners including Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Samaritan’s Purse and Best Friends Animal Society. Thanks to the support of the program by independent retailers across the country, Monkeez Makes a Difference donated a total of $46,311 to the three charities, meeting with the organizations’ leadership in October and November to deliver the funds and keepsake checks.

Monkeez Makes a Difference is a first‐of‐its‐kind innovative and interactive experience that teaches children the importance of helping others through kid‐friendly tools including the best‐ selling Genuine Monkeez and FriendsTM plush characters, online games and real‐life Do Good challenge trading cards. A special donation of 10 percent of the wholesale price is made on the child’s behalf to one of the three charities of his or her choice. The program launched in July for retailers, and the online donation and games launched in September. Monkeez Makes a Difference is supported by parent company MVP Group International, Inc.

“We are thrilled at the participation in Monkeez Makes a Difference and thank our retail partners for making these donations possible by carrying the Genuine Monkeez & Friends products in their stores. We’re honored to make these donations to our esteemed charity partners on behalf of retailers and children across the country,” says Chrysti Carol Propes, founder and director of Monkeez Makes a Difference. “The level of activity in our initial months of  operation exceeded our expectations and reinforces our belief that children really can make a difference, learn about helping others and have fun all at the same time. As the holidays approach, we expect to see even more participation as parents and grandparents look for unique ways to talk with children about the lifelong lessons of philanthropy. And the Monkeez products are fully stocked with immediate shipping available in time for retailers who are looking for gifts that keep on giving back long after the holiday season.”

Each of the three charities received $15,437.33 in this inaugural round of donations. Liz Scott, co‐executive director and mother of founder Alex of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation; Darren Mullenix, director of operations – donor ministries at Samaritan’s Purse; and Chris Perry, development officer at Best Friends Animal Society, met with the Monkeez Makes a Difference team at the MVP Group International headquarters in Charleston, S.C., to receive donations.

“This money helps us reach our goal of no more homeless pets,” Chris Perry, development officer at Best Friends Animal Society.

Liz Scott, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation co‐executive director and mother of founder Alex, adds, “Itʹs truly powerful to know that children are solving the problem of childhood cancer through the Monkeez Makes a Difference program.”

In early December, MVP Group International employees will also head to the Samaritanʹs Purse headquarters in Boone, N.C., to load boxes for one of their largest projects, Operation Christmas Child. The MVP Group team will help to load a portion of the nine million shoe boxes packed with gifts and delivered to children around the world. Monkeez Makes a Difference gives children the opportunity to learn and practice giving back while having fun. It also provides an innovative solution to parents, grandparents and others who are hungry for tools to help them discuss and demonstrate what it means to think of others in today’s world.

The fun and education starts with the purchase of a Genuine Monkeez and Friends plush character featuring a special Monkeez Makes a Difference tag. There are more than 90 plush  designs in multiple sizes to choose from, including characters such as monkeys, owls, bears, lions, dogs, cats, pigs, cows, octopuses, panda bears, kangaroos, turtles, koalas, alligators, hedgehogs, elephants, hippos, zebras, frogs, bunnies and raccoons. New pint‐sized pals are also part of the program, featuring smaller sizes, soft fabric and retail prices starting at just $8. Each specially marked character comes with a unique online game activation code on the tag. The products’ suggested retail prices range from $2.99 to $114.99.

Monkeez Makes a Difference also extends the experience to the local level, helping children to make a difference at home, at school and in their communities every day with Do Good Cards. Available in 5 different packs, each Do Good Card set contains challenges that consist of simple, but meaningful, tasks, such as, “Today at lunch, look around. Invite a child that is sitting alone to sit with you.” When children have completed each challenge and talked about the experience with their parents, they receive the trading card, which can be redeemed at www.MonkeezAndFriends.com to receive incentives to continue making a difference.

Monkeez Makes a Difference was developed by Chrysti Carol Propes and supported by the Propes family, owners of MVP Group International, Inc. As a mother of two boys, former teacher, children’s book author and writer for educational apps, Propes based the program on research that indicates it’s never too early to teach children to think of others and that children should be empowered to explore causes and reach their own decisions about what to support. She knew the Genuine Monkeez and Friends characters, beloved by her young sons, would be the perfect vehicle to turn the core value of philanthropy into a fun and meaningful educational program.

Christine Osborne, founder and owner of Wonder Works toy stores with four retail locations in the Charleston, S.C. area, has 23 years of experience working with children. “The program is cutting edge – I don’t know of any other company that creates toys that give back in this way, empowering children to decide which charities to support based on their passion and providing games and lessons that encourage philanthropy at such a young age,” Osborne says. “The program speaks to children, parents and grandparents alike with the shared value of helping others through kid‐friendly products and games. It’s the gift that truly keeps on giving.”

The Monkeez Makes a Difference program is in stock with Genuine Monkeez characters and Do Good cards, and available for immediate shipping for the holiday season. For more information or to order, contact your local account manager, visit www.mwcbk.com or call 800‐394‐4225.

About MVP Group International
Monkeez Makes a Difference was created by Charleston‐based MVP Group International, Inc., one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of premium home fragrances and candles. MVP Group International is the parent company of Colonial CandleTM premium home fragrance products and Everybody’s AyurvedaTM natural and Ayurvedic® products.