Dear Friends,
We always begin the New Year full of hope and with a sense of what is possible. When you realize that 9.7 million children under 5 years of age die every year, and that the underlying cause in over half of all those deaths is chronic malnutrition, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. But remember that only 47 years ago, within my lifetime, over twice as many children (20 million) under 5 years of age were dying every year.
In 1796 Edward Jenner demonstrated the use of cowpox vaccine to prevent smallpox. However, 150 years later smallpox still decimated poor countries where vaccines were largely non existent. As recently as 1967, 10-15 million people every year still succumbed to smallpox, and of those 1 ½ to 2 million died every year. That year, World Health Organization (WHO) started a global campaign to eradicate smallpox. By 1980, only 13 years later, WHO declared the world free from smallpox!
When Vitamin Angels says that all we need to do is harness the resources and we can stop children from dying due to vitamin deficiency diseases, we are being completely accurate. Three generations ago 1/2 of the world’s population lived in extreme poverty, 2 generations ago 1/3 of the world’s population lived in extreme poverty, presently 1/4 – 1/5 of the world’s population is living in extreme poverty. These numbers represent consistent decreases over time and lead us to question: What is possible during our generation’s time?
Our wish and work for the New Year is that within our lifetime, we will see vitamin deficiency diseases eradicated, we will help to significantly increase infant and child survival through vitamin supplementation, and in the process dramatically reduce extreme poverty. What could be more worthwhile?!
VITAMIN ANGELS SPECIAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
San Francisco - On December 17, 2007, Howard Schiffer, President and Founder of Vitamin Angel Alliance, was hosted at a reception in the home of William B. Sechrest, Chairman of the Vitamin Angels Board of Directors. Forty community members gathered to hear about the extraordinary work being provided to children and their families throughout the world. Attendees included: Edward Wilson, Paul Dijkstra, Stanley Divitcho, Robert Friese, Jeanne Humphrey, Anna & Jim Rheim, Gerry Rohn, Lynne Twist, and Ian Thompson. "What you are doing to help eradicate childhood blindness makes sense. And the low cost per child makes it impossible not to want to be of help. You have my support!" Maurice Kanbar noted as he shook Howard's hand. More small receptions are being planned to help spread the word to other communities across the states.
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WHAT VITAMIN ANGELS HAS BEEN DOING IN JANUARY
Nicaragua - In Nicaragua this month the Warwick Valley Rotary Organization showed us that, in their words, “it is possible to change the world, one life at a time.” We sent the organization 70,000 multi vitamins which were used to treat patients with malnutrition and vitamin deficiency. The Program coordinator, Dr. JoAnn Quattrone, recalls the elder women crying as the vitamins were distributed and the feeling of hope that was spread around the community.
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Morocco - This month Vitamin Angels, along with Nordic Naturals supported a children’s nutrition program in the Sahara city of Laayoune, Morocco. Bridge to Morocco is commencing their first year of “A Healthier Next Generation” health program which is targeting children 8 to 14 years of age and providing children with a daily chewable vitamin. Along with a vitamin, this three year program will also provide education programs focusing on building self esteem and encouraging the children to learn and excel. We are honored to be working with Bridge to Morocco and want to thank Chris Stanton for all his wonderful work.
South Africa - On December 26th, one of our recent vitamin recipients in Swaziland, Africa suffered severe tornado damage. Luckily the children staying at Cabrini Missions were participating in a homestead during the Christmas holiday so there were no injuries. In the past, Vitamin Angels has supplied the mission with children’s multivitamins which were distributed to children suffering from HIV and Tuberculosis. We are keeping in close contact with Cabrini Missions and will help in any way we can. We will keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
Charity Navigator
Vitamin Angels is proud to announce we have received the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's premier charity evaluator. Less than a quarter of the charities they evaluate have received their highest rating, indicating that Vitamin Angels outperforms the majority of nonprofits in America with respect to fiscal responsibility. We are honored to receive this recognition from Charity Navigator! To access the report click here: http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=10717
IN THIS ISSUE
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JANUARY RETAIL PROMOTIONS
UNFI | Back to Top
United Natural Foods® Supplement Celebration Program, running during January 2008, offers a successful marketing opportunity for Supplement category brands providing a specialized way to connect with our valued retailers and the end consumer. This program offers our suppliers a chance to be featured in this unique promotion primarily for Independent Natural Product Retail Stores. The Supplement Celebration Program provides an opportunity to partner with United to further develop our relationship and continue building brand recognition, while working together to create volume and increase sales.
NATURAL HEALTH CENTER | Back to Top
Starting this month for every bottle of Natural Health Center Vitamin Line and Mike’s Choice Vitamins sold 25 cents will go to support Vitamin Angels Operation 20/20. Along with a discount on these vitamins customers receive an informational letter about Vitamin Angels. We have worked with Natural Health Center in the past and are very excited to be working together again on another promotion.
VITAMIN ANGELS AT THE VILLAGE LEVEL | Back to Top
Do you want to get a good idea of how Vitamin Angels' programs look at the village level? Contact us at (info@VitaminAngels.com) and ask for one or more of our DVD's: Operation 20/20, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Asia, or Mississippi. We will happily drop them in the mail to you. Or go to our website at www.VitaminAngels.org and check out all of the videos in our video section!
A Huge Thanks to our Monthly Angels for December!
Anonymous, Enzymatic Therapy, Gordian Global Marketing Inc., Home Economist Market, Intensive Nutrition Inc., Men’s Wearhouse, New Moon Natural Foods, PL Thomas & Co., Pure Essence Labs, Pure Fruit Technologies, Rainbow Light Nutritional Systems, Taishoff Family Foundation, Tishcon Corp., Whizin Foundation, Way of Life.
We thank all of our supporters who make this work possible!
Thanks to everyone who supported our work this month: our amazing BOD: Tom Aarts, Barclay Hope, Yvon Bastien, Bill Sechrest, Elliott Balbert, Mehbs Remtulla, Anthony Zolezzi, and Jeff Markel; Steve Allen, Susan Haeger and Peter Hefele on our BOA; Jeff Hilton and everyone at IMG; our amazing interns Hava, Christina, Jeannie, Brittany and Daisy.; Amy, Miranda, and Steve, at Pitch Publicity; Pure Fruit Technologies: Dave Boyd; Crown Relocations: Ken Krezminsky.
Thank you to Pan American Health Organization, Regional Office of the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO Belize), SPINS, Presence Marketing and Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy.
WANTS & NEEDS | Back to Top
We are in need of financial contributions to help support our work. From the recent World Bank book ‘Repositioning Nutrition as Central To Development', it is clear that our need for vitamin supplements is greater than ever before. We need planned production of children's chewable vitamins (multiples), adult multiples, prenatals, and fish oil capsules. Please contact Ada at: 805 564 8400 or Ada@VitaminAngels.org to arrange for a financial contribution or a product donation.
Thanks to our donors this month: Tishcon, Pharmachem Laboratories, Rainbow Light Nutritional Systems, NOW Health Group, Flora Inc., and Pure Fruit Technologies, Acelera Nutrition, Platinum Naturals.
As always, please forward this newsletter to all of your friends and colleagues. We rely on our supporters and friends to help get the word out and get people to our site (www.VitaminAngels.org) so they can see the scope of what we are accomplishing and make needed contributions. Your support and encouragement make all of the difference in the world!
Best,
Howard B. Schiffer
President and Founder
Vitamin Angels
PO Box 42029
Santa Barbara, CA 93140 USA
P: 805 564 8400
F: 805 564 8499
E: info@VitaminAngels.org
PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION REPORT 1/1/08 - 1/31/08) | Back to Top
NEW PROGRAMS IN JANUARY!
1. Morocco
This month Vitamin Angels, along with Nordic Naturals, supported a children’s nutrition program in the Sahara city of Laayoune, Morocco. Along with vitamins, this three year program will also provide education classes focusing on building self esteem and encouraging the children to learn and excel.
2. Nicaragua
70,000 multi vitamins were provided to the Warwick Valley Rotary Organization in order to treat patients with malnutrition and vitamin deficiency
ONGOING PROGRAMS
1. Belize
Through an arrangement with Spins, Pharmaca, Presence and the Belize Ministry of Health we have launched a 3 year program in Belize as part of Operation 20/20. We will reach 25,000 Mayan children each year.
2. Bolivia
Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Bolivia as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 58,000 children.
3. Burkina Faso
Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Burkina Faso as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 375,000 children.
4. Dominican Republic
The DR program sponsored by UNFI, is slated to be a three year campaign to reach 55,000 children per year. We are distributing multivitamins daily and antiparastics two times per year. Our program partners are Direct Relief International, who will handle all to-country shipping and Batey Relief International, who will handle all in-country distribution
5. El Salvador
Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to El Salvador as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 4,000 children.
6. Haiti
Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Haiti as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 138,000 children and 21,000 lactating mothers and their babies.
7. Haiti
In the remote mountain areas where no medical help is available and an estimated 98% of all children are infested with worms, Missions of Love received 43 bottles and treated 2,150 children. World Harvest Missions received 200 bottles of anti-parasitics and were able to treat 10,000 children in the Pestel area.
8. Honduras
This program is sponsored by Sight & Life (DSM), UNFI, Anabolic Laboratories, United Flavors, Domino Foods, George Washington University, Pan American Health Organization and Medpharm. This program is reaching 55,000 children per year for three years. Our in-country partners are Cristo Salva, Ministry of Health and PAHO. We are distributing children's multivitamins and antiparastics (the multivitamins are given daily and the antiparastics are given twice a year). Recent photos show new gardens that children have planted at their schools with crops high in Vitamin A!
9. India
Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson our campaign in India is in its fourth year and is now reaching 1 million nursing mothers and children with vitamin A and deworming tablets - both the vitamin A and the deworming are given two times per year.
10. Indonesia
Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Indonesia as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 320,000 children and 60,000 lactating mothers and their babies
11. Malawi
Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Malawi as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 90,000 children.
12. Mali (Sahel)
Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Mali as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 25,000 children.
13. Mississippi
Ruleville Mississippi is a very poor rural district in the Mississippi Delta. With the support of Univera and their Serve First Program, we are now reaching 2,000 children with a daily nutrition supplement; Ageless Essentials.
14. Mozambique
Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Mozambique as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 720,000 children and 110,000 lactating mothers and their babies.
15. Myanmar
Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Myanmar as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 343,000 children and 7,000 lactating mothers and their babies.
16. Nepal
Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Nepal as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 333,000 children.
17. Nicaragua
Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Nicaragua as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 500,000 children.
18. Pakistan
Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Pakistan as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 385,000 children and 835,000 lactating mothers and their babies.
19. Philippines
We are doing a deworming program in partnership with Save the Children reaching 250,000 kids per year. This program began in the first quarter of 2006 and is now slated to run through the last quarter of 2007.
20. Sudan
Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Sudan as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 40,000 children.
21. Tibet
In this program we work closely with Dr. Nancy Harris who is the founder of Terma. We've distributed up to 2 million children's multiples per month.
22. Uganda
Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Uganda as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 175,000 children.
23. Vietnam
Vitamin A and antiparasitics are being delivered to Vitenam as part of Operation 20/20's expansion with Save the Children. The program will reach 376,600 children and 2,000 lactating mothers and their babies.