IKEA Canada and its customers donate $95,000 to UNICEF Canada

Funds raised through the Haiti donation program will be used to assist children and families with relief and recovery efforts

BURLINGTON, ON, April 13 /CNW/ - IKEA Canada announced today the results of its Haiti donation program, whereby $95,000 was raised for UNICEF Canada by IKEA and its customers after the devastating earthquake earlier this year. The announcement comes on the heels of an international donor's conference for Haiti, where IKEA's philanthropic partner, UNICEF was commended for its commitment to helping children in Haiti.

IKEA Canada initially donated $50,000 and for nearly two months welcomed its customers to make $2 donations at the cash lanes to assist UNICEF Canada in their Haiti relief efforts. IKEA customers contributed over $45,000 to the relief fund for a total contribution of $95,000.

"The earthquake and its aftermath were a tragedy and I would like to thank our customers for opening their wallets and helping to rebuild hope in Haiti," says Kerri Molinaro, President of IKEA Canada.

Since the earliest days after the earthquake struck, UNICEF has been leading and co-leading multiple response initiatives for children including water and sanitation, nutrition, child protection, health and education efforts.

"The generous donation that we received from IKEA Canada and its customers will help to save lives in Haiti," said Dee Diaz, Director of Corporate Engagement, UNICEF Canada. "It will also assist with our long term recovery efforts to transform lives beyond just bricks and mortar. By putting children and families at the centre of the reconstruction, we can offer them a better future."

For more than 10 years, IKEA through its Social Initiative has been a key supporter, contributing to UNICEF's work through philanthropic donations, emergency relief support, sales of UNICEF Greeting Cards, cause-related marketing promotions, in-kind assistance and national-level fundraising and promotional activities by IKEA customers and coworkers around the world.

About IKEA

IKEA is a leading home furnishings retailer with 267 stores in 25 countries worldwide, which are visited by 590 million people every year. IKEA Canada has 11 stores which are visited by over 25 million people every year. Last year the ikea.com websites attracted 561 million visitors. Founded in 1943, IKEA's business philosophy is to offer a wide range of products of good design and function at prices so low, the majority of people can afford them. For more information on IKEA, please visit: www.IKEA.ca

About IKEA Social Initiative

IKEA Social Initiative manages social involvements on a global level. The mission of IKEA Social Initiative is to improve the rights and life opportunities of the many children - fighting for children's rights to a healthy and secure childhood with access to quality education. UNICEF and Save the Children are the main partners that participate in a range of projects that take a holistic approach for creating substantial and lasting change: improving the health of mothers and children, enabling access to a quality education for children, and empowering women to create a better future for themselves and their communities.

About UNICEF

UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. For more information, please visit www.unicef.ca.

For further information: or to schedule an interview with an IKEA spokesperson please contact: STEFANIE NIEWADA, ACCOUNT MANAGER, OPTIMUM PUBLIC RELATIONS, T: [phone], [email protected]