Aveda Earth Month 2011

Aveda Earth Month 2011

During the month of April, Aveda's 2011 Earth Month campaign will connect its network of hair and skin professionals and consumers in more than 30 countries around the globe seeking to raise US$4 million for awareness and protection of clean water-a basic human right that nearly 900 million people globally are left fighting for daily.

Now in its 12th year, Aveda created Earth Month in April 1999 to raise awareness and funds for critically important environmental issues around the world, and has since raised more than US$18 million for organisations that directly affect environmental change, and US$12 million for water-related causes alone over the past four years.

In 2011, Aveda has extended the fundraising initiatives to include support for the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal and those affected by the recent natural disasters in Queensland. Australian media personality, journalist and blogger Sarah Wilson will join the crusade for water awareness and support for Queensland through Aveda's 'Walk for Water' campaign.

"Witnessing the devastating impact of the floods and the cyclone in Queensland - and the way human nature rallied to help 'neighbours' - had a profound impact on me, and most Australians. It instilled in me an incredible respect for the tens of thousands of families who lost their homes - and in too many cases - family and friends, and a desire to connect and help. Which is why I'm thrilled to be taking part in the annual Aveda 'Walk for Water' on April 17 with my own friends, family and 'neighbours' around Australia." Sarah Wilson

Key Earth Month 2011 fundraisers include:
Aveda Walk For Water (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth 'Walk for Water' - Sunday 17th April)
During April the global Aveda network joined by the Australian public on 17 April will participate in an initiative to acknowledge the daily struggle of and raise awareness for people around the world without access to clean water.
Unites the Company's network and guests in a series of walks around the world
Is executed locally by Aveda salons, spas and Institutes to benefit local water-related organisations.
All funds raised from the Aveda 'Walk for Water' in Australia will be donated to the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal - to assist the many communities which have been devastated by the recent natural disasters in Queensland.
Donations collected by the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal will be disbursed to the people affected by the natural disasters in Queensland from December 2010 to February 2011.

Light The Way™ Earth Month Candle (Available 27 March - 30 April 2011)
Aveda's 2011 Light the Way™ soy wax candle, featuring a stress-relieving aroma with certified organic French lavender, is sold exclusively during Earth Month. One hundred percent of the purchase price ($24.95) of this candle supports WaterAid (learn more at www.wateraid.org/aveda).

Where Earth Month Money Goes:
Walk for Water
Charity: Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal
Whilst in previous years, all funding has been directed towards Global Greengrants, in 2011 Aveda will distribute funds locally in an effort to provide much needed support to Queenslanders. In a move to keep funding on our shores, donations from the Aveda 'Walk for Water' will be donated to the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal.

The Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal assists Queenslanders affected by recent flooding and Tropical Cyclone Yasi. With the damage bill in the billions, many communities have been devastated and many families have lost everything. Over 2,000 families lost their homes after the catastrophic floods and Tropical Cyclone Yasi and without insurance, will rely solely on the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal.

Set up by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, the Australian Red Cross manages the distribution of the donated funds to families suffering the aftermath of the recent natural disasters. Whilst $400 million dollars was raised for the victims of the Victorian bushfires, just $236 million has been contributed to date to the Queensland Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal. With or without insurance, there are families still struggling who need assistance from an already stretched fund. With the support of the Australian public in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane, the Aveda 'Walk for Water' will aim to help these families in need.

Light The Way™ Earth Month Candle
Charity: WaterAid
In developing nations, more than 4,000 children die each day from preventable conditions like diarrhea, due to unsafe drinking water. A person in a country such as the US will, on average, use more than 40 gallons of water to take just one, leisurely bath. Yet someone living in a developing nation may have access to less than eight gallons of water each day for all of their daily needs. In developing countries 70 percent of industrial waste and 80 percent of all waste is dumped untreated into waters where they pollute the usable water supply.

The stark differences between access and rights to safe drinking water globally are startling enough to inspire much needed change - a movement that can empower communities, protect local watersheds and help make clean water accessible to everyone, everywhere. Aveda Earth Month 2011 will help to achieve this change.

WaterAid is an international nongovernmental organisation with a mission to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world's poorest communities. WaterAid enables the world's poorest people to gain access to safe water and sanitation. Together with improved hygiene, these basic human rights underpin health, education and livelihoods, forming the first essential step in overcoming poverty. WaterAid work with local partners, who understand local issues, and provide them with the skills and support to help communities set up and manage practical and sustainable projects that meet their real needs. WaterAid also work locally and internationally to change policy and practice and ensure that water, hygiene and sanitation's vital role in reducing poverty is recognised.

How To Get Involved:
For more information on the Aveda 'Walk for Water' please visit Aveda.
Guests can also visit Facebook/Australia for more information about walks and online donations, as well as their local Aveda salon, spa and Institute for more information about their initiatives.

Founded in 1978, Aveda™ creates high performance, botanically-based products for beauty professionals and consumers-while continuously striving to conduct business in an environmentally sustainable manner. Headquartered in Blaine, Minnesota, Aveda manufactures innovative plant-based hair care, skin care, makeup and lifestyle products, available at retail in Aveda Experience Centers and more than 7,000 professional hair salons and spas in more than 30 countries.