NORTH BERGEN, N.J., Sept. 5, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- In today's economy, 25 cents can buy a piece of candy, a stick of gum, or help save the sight of a child. One high-dose vitamin A capsule, given to a child twice a year for four years, can prevent that child from going blind due to vitamin A deficiency (VAD). The cost is only 25 cents a year.
To help children receive these much needed doses of vitamin A, The Vitamin Shoppe began accepting cash donations on behalf of Vitamin Angels in support of their campaign, Operation 20/20. Vitamin Angels is committed to eradicating childhood blindness caused by VAD on the planet by the year 2020. Operation 20/20 is the first major step in this global campaign, which launched this year in 15 countries.
Vitamin Shoppe's 30th Anniversary Celebration supports the elimination of childhood blindness caused by VAD through Operation 20/20. The month long anniversary began on September 1 in all 330 stores across the United States.
"We chose our anniversary month, September, to highlight Vitamin Angels and Operation 20/20," said Tony Truesdale, President and Chief Merchandising Officer of The Vitamin Shoppe. "With our Anniversary Sale in-store, in our catalog and on the web, we know our loyal customers will join us in supporting this important initiative to end childhood blindness caused by VAD."
VAD affects more than 140 million children annually and of those children, up to one-half million will go blind. The true tragedy is that one-half of those who do go blind will die within 12 months from opportunistic infections and associated diseases.
"Vitamin Shoppe really understands the critical difference basic nutrition can make in the lives of these children," says Howard Schiffer, executive director of the nonprofit Vitamin Angels. "We're honored to work with The Vitamin Shoppe and with their help we will give millions of children a chance at a better life."
The Vitamin Shoppe is raising funds for Vitamin Angels in store at the register. Customers can donate $1 or more to the campaign and sign a Vitamin Angels paper angel to hang in the store. Any customer who donates $5 or more will receive a special Operation 20/20 wristband as a thank you. Online customers can also donate with each purchase at www.vitaminshoppe.com, plus with a donation of $5 or more, the wristband is also included.
About Vitamin Shoppe Industries, Inc.
Vitamin Shoppe is a leading specialty retailer and direct marketer of nutritional products based in North Bergen, New Jersey. The Company sells vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements, herbs, sports nutrition formulas, homeopathic remedies, and other health and beauty aids to customers located primarily in the United States. The company carries national brand products as well as exclusive products under The Vitamin Shoppe, BodyTech, MD Select, and VS Basics proprietary brands. The Vitamin Shoppe conducts business through more than 300 company-owned retail stores, national mail order catalogs, and a website, www.vitaminshoppe.com.
About Vitamin Angels
Vitamin Angels is the only nonprofit in existence solely dedicated to providing vital nutrition to those in need internationally and domestically. Since 1994, Vitamin Angels has distributed over 350 million vitamins and other supplements in 82 countries worldwide. To learn more about Vitamin Angels and Operation 20/20 visit www.VitaminAngels.org.