Local M∙A∙C artists from Toronto join over 1,400 M∙A∙C employees from
30 countries to extend the work of the M∙A∙C AIDS Fund
New York, December 1, 2010 –Today makeup artists from M∙A∙C Cosmetics in Toronto will put away their makeup kits and don red ribbons to participate in a company-wide volunteer effort to honor World AIDS Day. This initiative—part of a worldwide effort involving more than 1,400 M∙A∙C employees in 120 North American cities and 30 countries—is organized to demonstrate the company’s longstanding commitment to the global fight against HIV/AIDS and strengthens the artists’ relationship with the brand’s philanthropic foundation, the M∙A∙C AIDS Fund (MAF), and its many grantees.
M∙A∙C artists from Toronto will pitch in to help at Casey House for their annual Voices of Hope concert, and at Fife House to treat residents and clients to a spa day. Casey House, a specialty hospital with community programming including home care and outreach programs, is dedicated to ensuring that the HIV/AIDS community in Toronto is cared for, providing services wherever they are needed, including in clients’ homes, at clinics, or on board the mobile health bus. Since 1996, the M•A•C AIDS Fund has granted close to $1.54 million to Casey House.
Launched collaboratively with La Maison du Parc in Montréal and Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation in Vancouver (both grant recipients of the M•A•C AIDS Fund), “Voices of Hope / Voix D’Espoir” is Canada's national annual event marking World AIDS Day and raising awareness of the ongoing crisis of HIV/AIDS across Canada and internationally. M•A•C employees will be assisting at the Toronto concert, which will feature performances by pop a capella legends The Nylons and other musical talent.
On World AIDS Day at Fife House, volunteers from M•A•C Cosmetics will create ‘spa’ experiences at two of their residential programs, Sherbourne and Jarvis. The artists’ expertise in skin care and makeup artistry will be shared with residents of both programs in one-on-one consultations and demonstrations. Fife House operates three residences (programs) that offer 24-hour support through a network of qualified staff and volunteers. They offer transitional housing, homeless outreach programs and meal programming, all of which are supported through M•A•C AIDS Fund grants. Since 2000, the M•A•C AIDS Fund has donated close to $800,000 to Fife House.
“One of the main reasons I love working at M∙A∙C is because of VIVA GLAM and all the good work the M∙A∙C AIDS Fund does in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The experience of volunteering with my fellow artists on World AIDS Day is inspiring and a real way for me to give back,” says Jane McKay, M•A•C Senior Artist.
One hundred percent of the sales price of M∙A∙C’s VIVA GLAM Lipsticks and Lipglasses goes directly to the M∙A∙C AIDS Fund, benefiting grantees in more than 30 countries. To date, the company has donated more than $190 million to help those affected by HIV/AIDS.
“The fact that the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS are improved every time a makeup artist sells a VIVA GLAM product has always been a great source of pride at M∙A∙C,” said Nancy Mahon, Senior Vice President, M∙A∙C Cosmetics and Global Executive Director of the M∙A∙C AIDS Fund. “The M∙A∙C AIDS Fund is truly the heart and soul of our company—there is commitment to the cause at every level. Our deep tie to the Fund creates a great comradery and bond among our employees, which in turn contributes to the fact that M•A•C has a higher retention rate than other brands. It is wonderful to see the company unite time and again on such an important day and lend their time to support the global fight against HIV/AIDS.”
All over the globe, M∙A∙C employees are giving back in a variety of ways. In India, artists will pair up with the women of Y.R. Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education (YRG CARE) and assist them with preparing and selling food items from carts in the streets of Chennai. In Munich, Germany, artists will support the Münchner AIDS-Hilfe e.V. by selling teddy bears to pedestrians in order to collect money for HIV infected people. M∙A∙C volunteers in Toronto will partner with the Fife House providing makeup applications, techniques and skin care tips to the residents, all of whom are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Other participating M∙A∙C affiliates are Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, TR-Bali, UK and Venezuela.
ABOUT THE M•A•C AIDS FUND
The M•A•C AIDS Fund, the heart and soul of M•A•C Cosmetics, was established in 1994 to support men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally. MAF is a pioneer in HIV/AIDS funding, providing financial support to organizations working with underserved regions and populations. As the largest corporate non-pharmaceutical giver in the arena, MAF is committed to addressing the link between poverty and HIV/AIDS by supporting diverse organizations around the world that provide a wide range of services to people living with HIV/AIDS. To date, MAF has raised over $190 million (U.S.) exclusively through the sale of M•A•C’s VIVA GLAM lipstick and lipglass, donating 100 percent of the sale price to fight HIV/AIDS. For more information, visit www.macaidsfund.org.
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