11.30.06
This holiday season, Tide and Emmy-award winning talk show host Ellen DeGeneres are reminding Americans that the little things they do can make a big difference in their communities, particularly when it comes to energy savings. Over the next four weeks, Tide will be looking to people across the country to commit to doing just one load of laundry in cold water in order to provide an important gift to New Orleans during the holiday season.
Ms. DeGeneres, a New Orleans native, has passionately supported and contributed to restoration efforts since Hurricane Katrina, raising nearly $10 million in relief funds through her talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show. She has raised awareness of the need for a continued commitment to the city and the people still struggling to rebuild. Now, Ms. DeGeneres is partnering with Tide to reinvigorate one of the city's most cherished holiday traditionsthe lighting of Jackson Square. In the past, the park boasted picturesque holiday lights displays that were enjoyed by New Orleans families throughout the winter season. However, due to the destruction of Katrina, the lights have since dimmed... until now.
I grew up going to this beautiful, beloved public park and I'm so happy to help Tide bring some much needed holiday cheer to the people of this city, explained Ms. DeGeneres.
Beginning November 13, consumers nationwide are invited to visit http://www.tidecoldwater.com and pledge to do a load of laundry in cold water. This act will save enough energy to light twenty 100-watt light bulbs for one hour. Tide's goal is to have 100,000 people make this pledge, saving enough energy to provide a beautiful energy-efficient holiday lights display for the people of New Orleans in historic Jackson Square. Ellen DeGeneres will encourage Americans nationwide to take this pledge in order to support this memorable event. The lights, which will be donated by GE Consumer & Industrial, will not only rejuvenate the French Quarter area, but will also serve as a visual reminder of how a simple act like cold water washing can save loads of energy that can be used in other significant ways.
Tide is once again proud to do our part to help brighten the future for the city of New Orleans, said Suzanne Watson, brand manager for Tide. Due to the energy savings associated with cold water washing, Americans will be able to not only turn on Jackson Square's historic holiday lights this year, but also reinstate a cherished tradition that is symbolic of the city's rich history.
On December 6, Tide Coldwater and GE will come together with the City of New Orleans Department of Parks and Parkways and French Quarter Festivals, Inc. to kick off the holiday season for New Orleans' residents with the official lighting of the Square. Ms. DeGeneres will attend the event and flip the switch on the display, as well as join local residents and community officials in celebrating the return of Jackson Square's holiday spectacle. She will cover the festivities for her show on December 7th.
As a company that's dedicated to providing energy-efficient solutions to customers and consumers, we are thrilled to make this contribution to Tide Coldwater's holiday lights display in Jackson Square, said Kathy Sterio, general manager of marketing for GE's consumer lighting products. These energy efficient lightsthe GE Super Light Watt-Miser serieswill continue to bring holiday cheer to the residents of New Orleans in years to come and will serve as a symbol of how small steps can make a big difference.
Tide's commitment to assisting New Orleans residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina began with Tide CleanStart, a mobile laundry program that was created in 2005 to provide much needed free laundry services to struggling families. The Tide CleanStart truck is traveling back to New Orleans this November to bring some holiday cheer by continuing to help families renew their sense of hope by providing clean clothes.
Both the Tide Coldwater holiday lights initiative and the continued presence of the Tide CleanStart program demonstrate Tide's commitment to helping the New Orleans community, said Kathleen Alter, CEO of French Quarter Festivals, Inc. While we still are dealing with the effects of Hurricane Katrina more than a year later, this uplifting holiday lights display in Jackson Square provides us with an opportunity to look forward and see a brighter future for our city.
Tide Coldwater is a specially formulated detergent that provides a deep clean in cold temperatures. Washing in cold water is a small but important step that consumers can take to save energy without having to overhaul their lifestyles. Benefits include:
* A reduction in energy costs. Washing in cold water can save consumers up to 80% of energy or 1.9 kWh of energy per load when switching from a warm to cold washing cycle, a savings of 744 kWh per year.
* Deep cleaning power. Tide Coldwater delivers great cleaning, even on the toughest stains, when used in a cold water wash.
* A smart, socially responsible choice. Cleaning your laundry in cold water with Tide Coldwater offers consumers another way to conserve energy for their families, their homes and their communities.
For more information about Tide Coldwater and to take the pledge, please visit http://www.tidecoldwater.com. Those who take the pledge will also be automatically entered to win a 2007 Toyota Prius.
