Avon Expands Support for Relief Efforts

Avon Products, Inc. today said that it is expanding support for the families of last week’s terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C. by establishing the Avon Heart of America Relief Fund to aid children affected by the tragic events.

The new fund will direct financial aid to educational institutions, after-school programs and children’s programs that provide counseling, safety education, child-care and other related services.

The fund will be financed from sales of a specially designed “Heart of America” pin which consumers can purchase from Avon representatives in the U.S. for $4.00, starting October 10. The pin also will be available on the company’s http://www.avon.com website. Proceeds from sales of the pin will be donated to the Avon Heart of America Fund. In addition, financial donations by many of Avon’s markets overseas will also support the new fund.

“We at Avon share the sorrow of the children and families of the victims, and we want to respond in a compassionate way,” said Brian Connolly, President, Avon U.S. “We sincerely hope that our efforts offer support and comfort.”

Earlier corporate contributions. Support from the new fund, plus relief donations made last week, will increase Avon’s overall contributions to over $2 million. Last Thursday, Avon donated $1 million in corporate funds to the American Red Cross in Greater New York to support the extensive disaster relief efforts. Also last week, Avon began matching U.S.-based employee contributions on a dollar-to-dollar basis through the Matching Gifts Program of the Avon Products Foundation, the company’s non-profit charitable organization. Avon employs approximately 9,800 associates in the U.S.

In addition, the company is working with its corporate partner Gifts In Kind International to identify and provide critically needed products and services in conjunction with its United Way affiliate partners in New York and Washington, D.C.

Andrea Jung, Avon’s chairman of the board and chief executive officer, said, “There are no words that can express our sorrow for the victims and their families. As a company that touches the lives of people in many personal ways, we want to do whatever we can to aid the relief efforts and provide direct assistance to families.”