TORONTO – In keeping with its time-honoured involvement in community-related projects and social causes, Roots is supporting a major international AIDS conference taking place in Toronto later this month. Roots announced today that it is the Official Outfitter of AIDS 2006, the XVI International AIDS Conference to be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from August 13 to 18, 2006.
In its role supporting the event, Roots is supplying the Conference with: Volunteer T-shirts for the Global Village volunteers; Volunteer T-shirts for the volunteers in the Cultural Activities Programme entitled “Viral Culture”; Conference souvenir T-shirts for sale at the Conference and various cultural venues around the city; Conference souvenir caps; and Roots Yoga Mats for use by delegates at yoga classes in two different locations. Roots is also returning a percentage of sales of T-shirts sold in Roots stores to the Toronto Local Host, the local organizing committee, to help support the cultural activities program of the Conference.
Roots is also providing apparel for the AIDS 2006 Youth Program, comprised of global youth NGOs, student groups, and various networks like The Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS. The Roots tees for the Youth Program will be made in Canada in multiple colours with strong statements promoting AIDS awareness among the younger generation.
All T-shirts will also come with a special 15% off Roots discount card redeemable at the Roots flagship store on Bloor Street, in addition to at Roots Central in the Eaton Centre and the Roots store on Queen Street West. All three stores will carry the AIDS Conference shirts for sale.
The Aug. 13-18 meeting is expected to draw more than 25,000 participants from around the world including scientists, health care providers, educators, policy makers, AIDS Service Organizations, community leaders and people living with HIV/AIDS.
It is the 16th edition of the premier event in the HIV/AIDS field, put on by the International AIDS Society. Past meetings have featured the announcement of major scientific and medical advances. Many prominent individuals, from political leaders to business executives to entertainment personalities – including former US President Bill Clinton, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, musical artists like Alicia Keyes, Chantal Kreviazuk, Our Lady Peace and actors Richard Gere and Sandra Oh – will be attending the event.
“By joining with other Canadian companies in support of the International AIDS Conference, Roots has shown the kind of corporate leadership that is invaluable in the fight against AIDS,” says Ron Rosenes, Senior Development Officer, AIDS 2006. “It is through strong public-private partnerships like this that we can make a difference in preventing new infections and reducing the barriers to care that are caused by stigma and discrimination.”
Roots has lent its support to many such events in the past as part of its commitment to community involvement. “We are proud to have Roots involved in this extremely important event,” says Roots Co-Founder Don Green. “We have been impressed by the hard work and dedication of those putting on this conference. Their dedication is mirrored by everyone involved in the fight against AIDS. AIDS is an international scourge that knows no national or racial boundaries. If we are going to defeat this disease, it will require strong support and huge resources from everyone.”
For further information, contact:
Robert Sarner,
Director of Communication and Public Affairs
416-781-3574 ext 4280
E-mail : rsarner@roots.com
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