The lifestyle brand Esprit has always focused on social action with a particular emphasis on the welfare of children and teenagers. Esprit is currently supporting the construction of a new SOS Children’s Village near Mumbai, in addition other projects in India. The Charity Mug Edition is a further contribution to this partnership: 100% of the proceeds from this high-quality, stylish coffee mug will be donated to SOS Children’s Villages.

Esprit’s first Charity Mug Edition was created in cooperation with the SOS Children’s Villages and will premiere in November 2008. Esprit plans to regularly design Charity Mug Editions in the future.

Made from high-quality, white ceramic, this coffee/tea mug features a modern design without a printed logo. In its place is an elegant, modest snowflake motif sandblasted tone-on-tone for a mug that’s as interesting to feel as it is to look at. Whether at the office, for your collection at home or as a gift to friends, this classic will remain attractive long beyond the winter months.  The underside of the mug features the Esprit and SOS Children’s Villages logos in black as an authentication of their partnership.

It may be aesthetic and useful, but the Esprit Charity Mug Edition is more than that: it highlights the importance of social benefit. The purchase of this mug means supporting the work of the SOS Children’s Villages and becoming involved in the welfare of children. These mugs send a positive message to everyone who sees them and fits in with the modern consumer lifestyle.

Each mug comes packaged in decorative gift wrapping and will be available exclusively at Esprit franchise stores and Esprit stores worldwide starting at the end of November 2008. It is priced at $9.95.  In addition to the existing partnership, 100% of proceeds will go to SOS Children’s Villages.

This year, the lifestyle brand offers a different kind of winter-inspired gift idea in the hopes of providing children and families with a confident view of the future.

Heinz Krogner, Esprit Chairman and Group CEO, says, “we’re planning to regularly hold these types of charity promotions in the future. In an effort to promote equal opportunities for children around the world, Esprit will launch one new charity promotion after the next and invite others to participate.”

This year, Esprit celebrates four decades of social and corporate commitment that continues to focus on children and teenagers. SOS Children’s Villages has been an important partner to Esprit for supporting these efforts for many years.

The close partnership reached a new level in 2008 with the construction of an SOS Children’s Village in Alibaug, south of Mumbai, India.

Through Esprit and SOS Children’s Villages, 14 family houses will provide a new home for over 140 children. The concept includes an on-site preschool that can accommodate 60 children from the village and surrounding areas and a social center for programs focusing on strengthening the family will serve as a contact point for over 500 woman and their children. The project will focus on education and support to help individuals – especially girls and women – lead strong lives.

The anticipated start of the construction phase is October 2008 after the monsoon rain period. The village is scheduled to officially open in January 2010.

Esprit has been involved in six different projects in and around New Delhi geared toward strengthening families since 2008.

The Esprit brand and its products stand for quality and sustainability and is dedicated to an enduring humanitarian commitment.

For more information, visit www.esprit.com/sos

Source: Esprit