Jan 7, 2013

Monkeez Makes a Difference Announces Second Donation to Charity Partners, Debuts New Characters and Pet Toys During Atlanta Market

Monkeez Makes a Difference, the educational, charitable program for children from MVP Group International, is adding several new lovable sock-monkey characters and toys to the philanthropic line. Ten new knit and mini plush characters and eight new pet toys will join the more than 90 existing products in the family. The new products will debut during the Atlanta market this week, and will also be available for ordering during the Dallas and Las Vegas markets, as well as the New York Toy Fair.

In addition, the organization announces it will deliver its second round of donations totaling $19,847.75 this week to its three nationally renowned charity partners including Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Samaritan’s Purse and Best Friends Animal Society. Children selected which charity to donate to through the first-of-its-kind interactive program that teaches the importance of philanthropy. Thanks to the support of the program by independent retailers and families across the country, Monkeez Makes a Difference has donated a total of more than $67,000 to the three charities since it launched in June 2012.

Monkeez Makes a Difference is an innovative and interactive experience that teaches children the importance of helping others through kid-friendly tools including the best-selling Genuine Monkeez and Friends™ plush characters, online games and real-life Do Good challenge trading cards. A special donation of 10 percent of the wholesale price is made on the child’s behalf to one of the three charities of his or her choice. The program launched in July for retailers, and the online donation and games launched in September. In October and November, the program distributed the first round of donations to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Samaritan’s Purse and Best Friends Animal Society.

The new knit characters are made of acrylic yarn and include magnets in the paws for added play fun and snuggling. The knit characters retail for approximately $19.99 and include:
• “Punkin” Small Penguin (15″ x 11″ x 16.5″)
• “Barnaby” Small Polar Bear (5″ x 5″ x 11″)
• “Scout” Small Green Monkey (14″ x 4″ x 4″)
• “Flora” Small Flamingo (14″ x 4″ x 4″)
• “Rico” Small Parrot (7″ x 7″)

The new mini plush characters retail for approximately $7.99 and include:
• “Rico” Mini Red Plush Parrot (7″ x 7″ x 8″)
• “LaMont” Mini Orange Plush Lion (5.25″ x 7″ x 7″)
• “Bonzo” Mini White Plush Polar Bear (6.5″ x 6″ x 7″)
• “Puddles” Mini Purple Plush Pig (7″ x 6″ x 8″)
• “Felix” Mini Pink Plush Flamingo ( 7″ x 7″ x 8″)

The eight new polyester pet toys retail for approximately $7.49 each, with a percentage of sales donated directly to Best Friends Animal Society. Characters include:
• Pink Pig Squeaky Pet Toy (9.75″ x 5″ x 2″)
• Pink Flamingo Squeaky Pet Toy (9.75″ x 5″ x 2″)
• Red Parrot Squeaky Pet Toy (10.5″ x 6″ x 2″)
• Orange Lion Squeaky Pet Toy (13″ x 5.75″ x 2″)
• Twisted Rope Dog Bone (10.75″ x 6″ x 2″)
• Twisted Rope Frog Pet Toy (10″ x 5″ x 3″)
• Twisted Rope Cat Pet Toy (10″ x 5″ x 4.5″)
• Twisted Rope Monkey Pet Toy (10″ x 8″ x 2″)

“The reaction from independent retailers since the program launched has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Chrysti Carol Propes, founder and director of Monkeez Makes a Difference. “With their support, we have been thrilled with the program’s impact so far. We are excited to offer these 18 new products to independent retailers, which make the perfect gifts for any occasion, and continue this lesson of giving back while having fun for families and children across the country.”

Monkeez Makes a Difference provides an innovative solution to parents, grandparents and others who are hungry for tools to help them discuss and demonstrate what it means to think of others in today’s world. The fun and education starts with the purchase of a Genuine Monkeez and Friends plush character featuring a special Monkeez Makes a Difference tag. There are more than 100 plush designs in multiple sizes to choose from, including characters such as monkeys, owls, bears, lions, dogs, cats, pigs, cows, octopuses, panda bears, kangaroos, turtles, koalas, alligators, hedgehogs, elephants, hippos, zebras, frogs, bunnies, raccoons and now penguins, polar bears, flamingos and parrots. Each specially marked character comes with a unique online game activation code on the tag. The products’ suggested retail prices range from $2.99 to $114.99.

Monkeez Makes a Difference also extends the experience to the local level, helping children to make a difference at home, at school and in their communities every day with Do Good Cards. Available in five different packs, each Do Good Card set contains challenges that consist of simple, but meaningful, tasks, such as, “Today at lunch, look around. Invite a child that is sitting alone to sit with you.” When children have completed each challenge and talked about the experience with their parents, they receive the trading card, which can be redeemed at www.MonkeezAndFriends.com to receive incentives to continue making a difference.

Monkeez Makes a Difference was developed by Chrysti Carol Propes and supported by the Propes family, owners of MVP Group International, Inc. As a mother of two boys, former teacher, children’s book author and writer for educational apps, Propes based the program on research that indicates it’s never too early to teach children to think of others and that children should be empowered to explore causes and reach their own decisions about what to support. She knew the Genuine Monkeez and Friends characters, beloved by her young sons, would be the perfect vehicle to turn the core value of philanthropy into a fun and meaningful educational program.

The Monkeez Makes a Difference program is in stock with Genuine Monkeez characters and Do Good cards, and available for immediate shipping. For more information or to order, contact your local account manager, visit www.mvpbrands.com or call 866-445-9993 extension 2771.

About Monkeez Makes a Difference
Monkeez Makes a Difference was created by Charleston-based MVP Group International, Inc., one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of premium home fragrances and candles. The first-of-its-kind educational, philanthropic program is designed to empower children to think of others and make a difference at home, in their school and community, and in the world. For more information, visit www.monkeezandfriends.com. MVP Group International is the parent company of Colonial Candle™ premium home fragrance products and Everybody’s Ayurveda™ natural and Ayurvedic® products.