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Spare Change Can Help Save the Life of a Child

Posted on: Tuesday, 30 September 2008, 16:00 CDT

Quarters found in the bottom of purses, pockets, and even on the ground can mean the difference between living and dying for needy children. The Vitamin Shoppe is asking everyone to donate their spare change in October to help save the life of a child.

Affecting up to 140 million children every year, vitamin A deficiencies that go untreated may lead to blindness and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, however vitamin A given to a child just twice a year can prevent blindness and help save lives by bolstering the immune system.

Throughout October, the more than 370 Vitamin Shoppes will accept cash donations on behalf of Vitamin Angels' Operation 20/20 campaign. The Operation 20/20 campaign aims to alleviate vitamin A deficiency by providing two high-dose vitamin A capsules to children and lactating mothers around the world each year.

Last year, Operation 20/20 reached more than 7 million children, mothers and babies in 17 countries to prevent vitamin A deficiency/ childhood blindness. In addition to vitamin A, the children received de-worming medicine to improve the absorption of the vitamin A and help combat intestinal parasites.

"We all have spare change that we could donate to a worthy cause," said Tony Truesdale, President of The Vitamin Shoppe. "In May, The Vitamin Shoppe raised $150,000 to help Vitamin Angels save 600,000 children. We know our loyal customers will join us in supporting this important initiative so we can help save a million children this year."

"We are so honored to have The Vitamin Shoppe as a partner in Operation 20/20," said Howard Schiffer, Founder and President of Vitamin Angels. "Recently the Copenhagen Consensus (which included five Nobel Laureates) concluded that vitamins, particularly vitamin A, are the most important strategy to improve the lives of children around the world." Schiffer continued, "It is important to remember that the Copenhagen Consensus looked at all of the problems, literally everything from AIDS to terrorism. Their message is that to improve the lives of children you need to start with vitamin A. This is what Vitamin Angels is doing, and what the Vitamin Shoppe is making possible."

The Vitamin Shoppe is raising funds for Vitamin Angels in store at the register. Customers visiting the store can donate $1.00 or more to the campaign and sign a Vitamin Angels paper angel. A $1.00 donation will help four children. A $5.00 donation will help 20 children and the customer will receive a Vitamin Angels rubber bracelet. Any customer who donates $10.00 or more will receive a special limited edition t-shirt and the knowledge that they will help 40 children.

On-line customers will be able to make a donation by "rounding up" their purchase at http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/ and donating their spare change. For example, if the online purchase comes to $25.75, the customer can "round up" the donation to the next dollar ($26.00) and include that change ($0.25) as their donation.

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