TARRYTOWN, NY--(Marketwire - Jan 25, 2012) - Premier holiday décor company Christopher Radko, a division of Rauch Industries, Inc., announced today that it has donated over $11,000.00 to charities across the United States. These gifts were made possible through the allocation of a portion of the proceeds from sales of each ornament in an annual Charity Awareness series designed by the Radko Artists to benefit organizations devoted to researching, preventing, and raising public awareness about HIV/AIDS, autism, breast cancer, pediatric cancer, heart disease, diabetes, animal welfare, environmental protection, veterans' affairs, and Alzheimer's. The Christopher Radko staff collectively chooses which specific organizations will receive donations on behalf of larger causes each January.
The ten distinct designs included in each Charity Awareness series are all handmade in Europe and representative of their specific causes in a clever and whimsical way. The 2011 ornament created to endorse breast cancer awareness, for example, was a miniature high-top sneaker covered in bright pink glitter and featuring a lacquered pink ribbon. Called Fit for Walkin', it was among Christopher Radko's overall most popular styles of 2011. A Soldier for a Cause, the 2011 ornament designed to encourage efforts surrounding autism and autism spectrum disorders, featured a toy soldier painted in primary colors holding the iconic puzzle piece. Autism Speaks™, the world's largest autism science and advocacy organization, was the recipient of a donation generated by sales of A Soldier for a Cause. They issued this statement upon receipt:
Autism Speaks would like to thank Christopher Radko for the generous contribution. This gift will allow us to continue funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Our mission is to improve the lives of those living with autism and their families. Thank you for doing your part.
Heather Shepardson, CEO of Christopher Radko and Rauch Industries, is a driving force behind the Charity Awareness initiative. "Our charity ornaments are always among the most pored-over and discussed, internally. It's a series that makes us proud on personal, professional, and philanthropic levels and I look forward to continuing this tradition of ornaments for a cause in 2012 and long into the future."
Christopher Radko Charity Awareness ornaments are available in major department stores, independent gift stores, and specialty retailers nationwide as well as online. Visit www.christopherradko.com for more information.
About Christopher Radko®: For more than a quarter of a century, the Christopher Radko® name has symbolized the standard of excellence within the giftware industry as the unparalleled producer of the finest handmade European-made glass ornaments. The seasoned design team of Radko artists work tirelessly, focusing on market trends and innovative design techniques to ensure that each collection created is worthy of the Radko name. The Christopher Radko brand is distributed and marketed through independent gift stores, major department stores and specialty retailers nationwide. For more information regarding the Christopher Radko Division of Rauch Industries, Inc., please call 1-800-RADKO-09.
About Autism Speaks™: Autism Speaks is the world's largest autism science and advocacy organization. It was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. The organization is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $173 million to research and developing innovative new resources for families. In addition to funding research, Autism Speaks has created resources and programs including the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network, Autism Speaks' Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and several other scientific and clinical programs. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
Kerri Buckley
914-250-1112