100 girls, 500 dolls

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Boston, MA and Upper Montclair, NJ � September 29, 2005 � G9Girl, a lifestyle brand for girls aged 9 to 13, and Hip Chic, a boutique located in Upper Montclair, NJ, announced today the successful completion of a doll drive in support of victims of Hurricane Katrina. Pre-teen girls traveled from across the northern New Jersey area to Hip Chic to donate new or �gently loved� dolls and stuffed animals. Over 500 dolls and stuffed animals were collected in the course of the one-week event, all of which will be distributed to young hurricane victims by Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. (K.I.D.S.), a 20-year-old nonprofit organization based in New York City committed to helping children and youth in need.



�We at Hip Chic are overjoyed with the response we have received from the drive for Hurricane Katrina victims. Montclair and the immediate area should be proud of the over 50 bags of dolls and stuffed animals that have been donated in support of this worthy cause,� said storeowner Grace Caravello. �Think of all the displaced kids who will now smile because of your generosity. Thank you all for helping us make this effort a huge success!� she continued.

�The girls who are involved with G9Girl�s activities are strong, intelligent, active young women who have the potential to become this country�s future leaders,� said Shaun Budka, President of G9Girl. Working with stores carrying the brand, G9Girl provides opportunities for girls to �make a difference� and develop a better understanding of the world and of themselves. �We recognize that this time of life can be confusing and that tweens need opportunities to build self-esteem and understand the very abstract concept of philanthropy. Events like this doll drive help girls find meaningful ways to build their community and help others.� Budka added. Doll, sports gear, book and school supply are all types of drives G9Girl hosts for the benefit of children in need or as part of disaster relief.

Over 100 girls participated in the drive, which kicked off on September 17. To serve as a reminder of the day and �thank-you� for participating, each girl received a G9Girl memory charm. They could have also entered a raffle to be featured as the G9Girl of the Month in G9Girl�s e-Zine Chain Reaction.

About G9Girl, Inc.
G9Girl is a Boston-based company offering a lifestyle brand of apparel and accessories built on a Culture of Accomplishment�, which promotes the development of social conscience and self-confidence in girls ages 9 to 13 through fashion and style. In the language of phone and text messaging, �G9� stands for genius, defined as a strong natural talent, aptitude, or inclination. There is �genius� in every girl and G9Girl is dedicated to creating a fun, healthy and rewarding environment. Girls can discover, explore and share their own genius by participating as a member of the G9Girl Council, writing for Chain Reaction, or planning a G9Girl sponsored event. Being a G9Girl is about being true to yourself, following your heart and finding your inner genius. G9Girls, coming together, can make a difference in the world!

About Hip Chic
Hip Chic is the store for girls aged seven to sixteen in Upper Montclair, New Jersey. Hip Chic offers tweens and teens clothing, accessories, and cosmetics in a funky bohemian setting and on the Web at www.hipchicnow.com.

About K.I.D.S.
K.I.D.S., Inc. is a national charity that distributes donated juvenile products, clothes, toys, shoes, books, and other children�s products to non-profit agencies. These agencies serve children living in poverty stricken communities, homeless shelters, and hospitals within the United States and abroad. Throughout its 20-year existence, K.I.D.S. has donated more than $500 million worth of merchandise to children in need.

[Dan Mc Intyre]

Shaun,

It's nice to see someone actually get up and do something constructive to help out. Way to go.

Dan

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally posted by Dan Mc Intyre
Shaun,

It's nice to see someone actually get up and do something constructive to help out. Way to go.

Dan

Thanks Dan, we were all really impressed with the girls in the area. Many of them went out and bought new dolls to bring in. And Grace, storeowner, told of how proud they were to drop them off.

Book drive in MA in a few weeks, doll drive in Pleasanton, CA in November. We're hoping these things really take off.

Lot of work to set up!

[Rodeo]

Good work!

[addictionMS]

I will second that, Good Work!

[on-ramp]

When I first saw the title of this thread "100 girls, 500 dolls", something else came to mind. oh well

[Seahawk]

Shaun,

Well done. You are to be commended, as are the young girls, for putting forth the time and effort.
I like your message as well: my daughter is 13 and it is refreshing to hear your approach.
Now, about your politics...

[Yellowbird RS]

Cool!

[M.D. Holloway]

Shaun, well done...but for the UPM, could ya keep the stuffed dolls at home and bring one that is actually alive?

[djmcmath]

Screw the politics, get out and do something constructive! You go, Shaun. I'll second McIntyre's comment that it's good to see someone who isn't simply b****ing about how bad things are, you're actually taking steps to fix problems.