Feder-bear Beanie Baby® Arrives for Online Purchase
Proceeds from each ATP exclusive bear to benefit UNICEF-ATP partnership, ACE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Alison S. Kim
akim@atptennis.com
11/29/06 - Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, U.S.A. – Roger Federer, the No. 1 tennis player on the ATP circuit and a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, has joined forces with the ATP to raise money for UNICEF through the sale of Feder-bear Beanie Baby®. Pre-orders for Feder-bear, priced at $8.00, are now being accepted through Ty's Web site at http://www.tytrade.com/feder-bear. The bears will be available for delivery in time for the holidays.
Designed in honor of Federer, the 8" Beanie Baby comes complete with his own tennis racquet, white headband, and teal shirt with the ATP logo on the front and the name “FEDERER” on the back above the number “1”.
Five dollars from the sale of each ATP Exclusive Feder-bear will go to support the UNICEF-ATP partnership, ACE (Assisting Children Everywhere), aimed at harnessing the power of tennis to help ensure the health, education and protection of the world’s children. Federer helped launched the partnership last year in Indian Wells, where he organized a charity exhibition to raise money for tsunami victims.
Feder-bear Beanie Baby®, first introduced at the US Open accompanying Federer at a press conference, made its public debut two weeks ago at the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai. Tennis fans purchased more than 2,300 Feder-bears during the exclusive on-site sale at the UNICEF booth in Qi Zhong Stadium, amounting to a 75,000 RMB contribution to UNICEF. Mirka Vavrinec, the longtime girlfriend of the ATP World No. 1, was among the Shanghai spectators who stopped by the booth to purchase a number of Feder-bears.
Federer, appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in April, has used his victories on the court to remind the world that children count. Just prior to the US Open, Federer recorded a UNICEF Public Service Announcement, in both English and French, to raise awareness about the problems facing children with HIV/AIDS. In 2003, he established the Roger Federer Foundation to fund projects benefiting disadvantaged children, primarily in South Africa where his mother was raised, and to promote sports for young people.
About UNICEF
For 60 years UNICEF has been the world’s leader for children, working on the ground in 156 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, good 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.
About Ty
Founded in 1986 by Ty Warner, creator of the wildly popular Beanie Babies®, and celebrating its 20th year, Ty is the leader in plush toys. In addition to Beanie Babies®, the company's product line includes: Bow Wow Beanies™, Pinkys™, Pluffies®, Ty Classic®, Beanie Buddies®, and Baby Ty®. The red Ty Heart Logo®, recognized around the world, can be found on all Ty products available at finer specialty gift retailers. Visit Ty on the Internet at http://www.ty.com.
About ATP
With 64 tournaments in 30 countries in 2006, the ATP showcases the finest athletes competing in the world’s most exciting venues. From Australia to Europe and the Americas to Asia, the stars of the INDESIT ATP Race and the Stanford ATP Doubles Race contend for prestigious titles and Race points as they seek to secure a coveted spot in the Tennis Masters Cup. For more information, please visit www.ATPtennis.com
ATP Media Contacts:
Davina Aryeh, daryeh@atptennis.com, +1-904-285-8000
Pete Holtermann, pholtermann@atptennis.com, +1-904-285-8000
