RUGBY Ralph Lauren Supports Great Causes
This Fall, through its Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation - dedicated to cancer care, prevention, and community service in underserved areas - RUGBY Ralph Lauren is launching the MATCH RUGBY FUND, a new initiative which supports young social entrepreneurs. Working with Teach for America, Youth Venture, and Donors Choose, MATCH RUGBY identifies people with great ideas about how to save the world, lines them up with resources, and then helps market their project. "Rugby is about youthful energy and team spirit and we are proud to support outstanding young individuals' initiatives. Through the MATCH RUGBY FUND we will help new social entrepreneurs develop and grow their ventures," explains David Lauren, Senior VP of Advertising, Marketing & Corporate Communications for Polo Ralph Lauren. "Our Company has a long history in philanthropy and volunteerism, and this new program is a continuation of our commitment."
Money for the MATCH RUGBY FUND will come from sales of limited edition, seasonal MATCH products, starting with a yellow and navy striped rugby shirt that retails for just under $100 - with half the purchase price going directly to the Fund.
To help kick things off, they are collaborating on capsule collections of co-branded cause products with TOMS Shoes and FEED Projects. An exclusive collection of TOMS shoes will be featured, as well as a special RUGBY FEED bag, which provides a $50 donation to the FEED Foundation 
for every bag sold, helping student activists fight hunger around the world. An added option is a FEED 25 patch - choose from Ethiopia, Rwanda, Cambodia, or Guatemala - each of which provides 25 school meals to children in the country patch of choice through the UN World Food Program. "TOMS and FEED are great examples of how social entrepreneurism can help bring about positive change in our world," notes Lauren. "This is our first RUGBY cause product collaboration and we're thrilled to be working with two leaders in social entrepreneurism, Blake Mycoskie and Lauren Bush."
For every pair of TOMS shoes sold, a pair of shoes is donated to a child in need in a developing country. "The opportunity for TOMS Shoes to partner with RUGBY is a privilege and supports our mission in giving shoes to children in need around the world. I have always admired Ralph Lauren and his classic American style, and I am honored for the chance to work 
with such an inspirational brand," acknowledges Blake Mycoskie, Founder of TOMS shoes. "What I am doing is connecting young people to the issue and I think RUGBY is the perfect partner for this," agrees Lauren Bush, Co-Founder of FEED Projects & the FEED Foundation, and a World Food Program honorary spokesperson. "People don't see hunger in front of them so they are not directly affected. Through the sale of these items we are raising awareness about child hunger, as well as helping young people get the resources to get involved."
Winning a MATCH RUGBY grant depends on two main factors: how feasible the project is and how well it scores in an online vote. Winners will be announced during the 2008 Holiday season, so make sure to do your part by voting soon at Rugby.com.
- Lesley Scott
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