Samsung Launches Initiative Brings Hope To Young

Samsung Launches Initiative To Bring Hope To Young New Zealanders

Scribe, Jordan Luck and Nathan King donate songs to support Samsung Hope initiative to generate awareness of New Zealand child and youth charities

16 December 2008

Samsung Electronics today launches Samsung Hope, a philanthropic initiative aimed at improving the lives of disadvantaged children and youth living with serious illness. Samsung Hope will partner with CanTeen, KidsCan and Make-a-Wish Foundation to promote the Samsung Hope campaign website, where New Zealanders can determine the distribution of US$90,000 (NZ$150,000) in funds donated by Samsung. The charities will receive a share of the funds determined by the number of votes they are given on the website.

New Zealand artists Jordan Luck, Scribe and Nathan King have all pledged their support to the initiative. Each have an existing affiliation with the participating charities: Scribe with Make-A-Wish, Jordan Luck with KidsCan and Nathan King with CanTeen. All have donated a special track which can be downloaded from the Samsung Hope website in return for a vote of support for one of the participating charities.

New Zealanders can visit the samsunghope.org website and pledge support for their chosen charity from today until 14 February 2009. The funding pool will be distributed among the three participating charities based on the percentage level of support received.

Samsung New Zealand, head of sponsorship and marketing, Emma Keen, says that the initiative is a continuation of Samsung’s work to address social issues in the Asia Pacific region. “Digital Hope was launched in 2003 to help bridge the digital divide. The Samsung Hope initiative goes a step further by engaging the community in the decision as to where funding is allocated.”

"CanTeen is excited about our partnership with Samsung Hope and the fantastic musicians supporting us. We hope New Zealanders get behind CanTeen and get voting so we can continue our programs supporting young people living with cancer!" says Jade Phillips, Brand Manager, CanTeen.

Julie Helson, Co-Founder and General Manager, KidsCan StandTall says “ We are proud to be one of the charities that will benefit from Samsung Hope. By voting for KidsCan StandTall people can make a tangible difference to the lives of many financially disadvantaged kiwi kids and help us to provide raincoats, food and shoes.”

Scott Simpson, CEO says” Make-A-Wish New Zealand is thrilled to be part of the Samsung Hope initiative –with their vote New Zealanders can help make kiwi kids dreams come true.”

“The initiative empowers New Zealanders to actively contribute to causes they believe in. It gives them a real say in where the money goes,” adds Emma, Samsung New Zealand.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to work with three charitable organisations that have done so much to give young New Zealanders hope. Samsung Hope is our way of providing not only financial assistance, but ongoing support through a high profile internet campaign and the generous contributions of some of New Zealand’s best known artists, to create a lasting impression with New Zealanders.”

Each beneficiary will receive a US$10,000 (NZ$16,000) base amount, with additional grant allocated determined by the number of pledges it receives.

The participating charities are:

CanTeen

CanTeen was established to ensure that no young person in New Zealand living with cancer should ever have to feel alone. CanTeen is NZ's only support group for 13-24 year olds living with cancer and receives no government funding.

KidsCan StandTall

KidsCan StandTall Charitable Trust is a national charity dedicated to meeting the basic physical and nutritional needs of financially disadvantaged kiwi kids in 102 low decile schools across New Zealand. Our vision is to ensure all kiwi kids have access to the basics so they can get on with being kids and take full advantaged of their education.

Make-A-Wish Foundation

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Zealand was launched in 1987, the mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation is to grant wishes to children between the ages of 3-18 years old, who are living with a life-threatening illness.

Please visit http://www.samsunghope.org/ and pledge your support for your chosen charity and download a track from your chosen artist.

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About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2007 consolidated sales of approximately US$105 billion. Employing approximately 150,000 people in 134 offices in 62 countries, the company consists of four main business units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business, and Telecommunication Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

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