FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Art of Giving: Ann Veronica® Introduces ‘Inspiration Totes’
to Benefit Three Non-Profit Organizations
CAPE ELIZABETH, ME – With a tag line that reads "carry a little sunshine, spread a lot of love," Ann Veronica Handprints introduces a series of holiday totes to benefit three organizations committed to fighting hunger, supporting research for children facing catastrophic illness, and strengthening environmental education. Ann Veronica founder and owner, Ann V. Perrino, says the totes were inspired by small town values of community, optimism and stewardship. Ten percent of all sales are dedicated to the betterment of life in Maine and beyond through the following organizations: Good Shepherd Food-Bank, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and The Chewonki Foundation.
Ann Veronica Handprints, founded in 2003, produces hand-printed textiles from original art. These textiles are then fashioned into apparel, bags and accessories and are sold through specialty retail store and boutiques and online at annveronica.com.
Of this new series, Perrino says that no two totes are alike; all are made of 100% cotton canvas hand silk-screened select remnants from her most popular prints and colors. "Inspiration Totes were designed to benefit certain causes and to reduce waste, reuse and recycle. Each tote is pieced together carefully and then hand-sewn to allow for an authentic frayed look that will develop over time and use. All bags are made in Maine and are signed by our seamstresses who are committed to being part of a solution."
"Every handbag and tote in the current Ann Veronica line, with one exception, has been named for a Maine location or town, so when we designed these, they had to have a Maine namesake, too. There are many wonderful township names, but of all of them, I found three small Maine towns that seemed to exemplify a concern for community and quality of life… they are the towns of Friendship, Hope and Unity."
"Friendship," Perrino says, "is a small Maine village with a working lobster harbor and a long history of men and women joining efforts to provide food for their families." Ten percent of sales from Inspiration Friendship Totes benefit the Good Shepherd Food-Bank, a private non-profit that provides food for those at risk by soliciting surplus food and distributing it to non-profit programs throughout the state.
"Then there’s Hope… a typical small town where children and family are a priority. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is committed to research and hope for children facing catastrophic illness. Our Inspiration Hope Totes seemed a natural fit for this organization," Perrino continues.
Perrino says she picked the town of Unity as the third series because it was named for its political unity and is home to a county fair and college, both of which are largely focused on environmental and natural resource studies. "Our Inspiration Unity Totes benefit The Chewonki Foundation which supports environmental education and programs and recently opened a camp for girls."
The totes are introduced in time for the holiday season. Small Inspiration Totes (7” X 9.5” X 4”) are $64 and large Inspiration Totes (9” X 11” X 5”) are $78. For more information, visit www.annveronica.com or call 800-561-5517.
