Tap Project partners with Watergeeks for 2009 clean water campaign
NEW YORK (November 20, 2008) — The UNICEF supported clean-water campaign known as the Tap Project, today announced that water technology manufacturer, The Watergeeks Laboratories, will become a national supporter of the campaign in 2009—the third year of this award-winning, lifesaving initiative to help UNICEF provide clean water to children around the world.
Beginning November 17, 2008 the Canada-based manufacturer will donate a percentage of the online retail price of six of their premium water products to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. Designed with an eye to conservation and combating the global water crisis, the featured products include: 1) filtered sport water bottle, 2) stainless steel water bottle, 3) water saving shower head, 4) water saving hose nozzle, 5) dual spray swivel aerater, and 6) an all natural liquid soap.
“We are very proud to be able to partner with the leading global children’s organization with the proven experience and ability to help deliver clean water to children around the world,” said Brent Meikle, founder and CEO of the Watergeeks Laboratories. “We look forward to offering consumers and retailers an exciting range of ‘water-wise’ products and to helping make the 2009 Tap Project the most successful campaign to date.”
Based on a simple, tangible and turn-key concept, the Tap Project was given life two years ago on World Water Day (March 22). Limited to just New York City at the time, restaurants asked their patrons to donate $1 or more for the tap water they usually enjoy for free. With 300 restaurants participating in its inaugural year Tap raised $100,000 and helped to provide 4 million children in Laos, Iraq and Angola with access to clean drinking water. Also in its first year, the Tap Project was awarded the much coveted Titanium Lion at the International Advertising Festival in Cannes, France.
“We are extremely pleased with the success the Tap Project is enjoying—and in only its second year,” said Caryl Stern, president and CEO, U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “Forming a partnership with a water technologies company that truly understands the global water crisis is just logical and another example of doing whatever it takes to save a child.”
The Tap Project proved once again to be a phenomenal success with approximately $850,000 in total donations raised to date. Over 2,300 restaurants from 44 states officially registered to participate in the 2008 Tap Project. Sponsors last year included: American Express, Turner Broadcasting, Esquire magazine, opentable.com and Rotary’s Water & Sanitation Rotarian Action Group (WASRAG).
UNICEF works in more than 90 countries around the world to improve access to safe water and sanitation facilities in schools and communities, and to promote safe hygiene practices. Over the past 15 years, more than a billion people gained access to improved drinking water and sanitation facilities thanks to UNICEF’s efforts. However, every day, 4,200 children still die of water-related diseases. UNICEF’s goal is to reduce the number of these needless deaths to zero. With $1, UNICEF can provide 40 liters of safe drinking water, which is enough to give one child safe drinking water for 40 days.
About The Watergeeks Laboratories
The Watergeeks mission is to empower today’s generation to reduce water consumption by producing simple, affordable and effective products that motivate and enable us all to conserve this critical resource without having to make major lifestyle changes. The Watergeeks have incorporated the most current science and technology into a diverse range of water conservation products including filtered water bottles, water-saving showerheads and hose nozzles, water purifiers and all-natural health and beauty products. The Watergeeks want consumers to understand the severity of our global water crisis, but also recognize the dramatic, positive impact upon their health and the health of our planet that can be realized through a few simple changes. For more information about Watergeeks and its products, please visit www.watergeeks.com.
About UNICEF
For more than 60 years, UNICEF has been the world’s leading international children’s organization, working in over 150 countries to address the ongoing issues that affect why kids are dying. UNICEF provides lifesaving nutrition, clean water, education, protection and emergency response saving more young lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. While millions of children die every year of preventable causes like dehydration, upper respiratory infections and measles, UNICEF, with the support of partnering organizations and donors alike, has the global experience, resources and reach to give children the best hope of survival. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicefusa.org.
For more information, contact:
Richard Alleyne, U.S. Fund for UNICEF Media, 212.880.9177
Nicole Vance, The Watergeeks, 704.560.4917
