Media Release
20 June 2011

Estee Lauder Companies Brings A Little Light Relief To Christchurch Families

Christchurch families affected by the recent earthquakes can now enjoy much-needed basic necessities following Estee Lauder Companies' donation of $150,000 to the 'Adopt a Christchurch Family' earthquake relief fund.

The Adopt a Christchurch Family organisation aims to provide targeted assistance to families in need of daily essentials.

Marie-Ann Billens, General Manager of Estee Lauder Companies, says the donation was their way of giving back to people in the community where they live and work.

"Many of our Christchurch-based staff and stores have been directly affected by the earthquakes and we know thousands of other families are struggling to make ends meet. Adopt a Christchurch Family allowed us to help those families who need the small, but very necessary, things in life. After the earthquakes earlier this week, this is even more timely," Billens says.

The organisation works directly with all of Christchurch's electorate offices and MP's to identify suitable families and their specific needs; all families remain anonymous. The money is then credited directly into their bank account and used for temporary accommodation, food, medical supplies, household storage and clothing.

Janine Morrell-Gunn from Adopt a Christchurch Family says the organisation was launched to help rebuild Christchurch families and coming into winter, she says the priority now is to ensure that residents returning to their damaged homes are kept warm and dry.

"We are amazingly grateful for Estee Lauder's generous donation. It will make a huge difference to providing families with warm clothing and bedding during the harsh Christchurch winter," Morrell-Gunn says.

Since the organisation was launched following the earthquake in September 2010, Adopt a Christchurch Family has provided over 500 families with immediate financial assistance ranging from $100 to $3,000.

After last week's earthquakes, Morell-Gunn says the need for donations is as great as ever.

"People are feeling a bit demoralised at the moment so Estee Lauder's donation is just the lift we need right now."

Estee Lauder has also provided nearly 500 earthquake victims with a variety of beauty packs to help them take care of themselves.

"We wanted to do whatever we could to provide a little pleasure to Christchurch women. It was amazing to hear from many of these women that, despite all the devastation, sadness and hardship, we were able to life their spirits - even if just for a small moment in time," Billen says.

Morell-Gunn says that although living conditions in Christchurch have improved, many people are still without homes or jobs, and only just coping.

"Four months on from the big earthquake, there are still thousands of people who have lost everything and are struggling to make ends meet. We rely solely on the generosity of strangers to help these families rebuild their lives and encourage donations, big or small - every last dollar helps," Morell-Gunn says.

ENDS

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