June 15, 2012
Give A Damn Launches Celebrity T-Shirt Project
Mark Thompson READ TIME: 3 MIN.
New York, NY - The Give a Damn Campaign, a project of the True Colors Fund, announced new additions to their Celebrity T-Shirt Project presented by Van Gogh Vodka.
The limited edition shirts, which promote messages of equality and acceptance, will go on sale beginning June 15th to celebrate Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month. 100% of the sale proceeds will support the work of the Give a Damn Campaign.
Co-founded by Cyndi Lauper, the True Colors Fund's Give a Damn Campaign encourages everyone, especially straight people, to get informed and get involved in advancing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.
At the organization's star-studded sold out "Home For The Holidays" benefit concert on December 4th at New York's Beacon Theatre, Cyndi Lauper unveiled the first Give a Damn Campaign t-shirt, designed by Cyndi herself and presented by Van Gogh Vodka.
Adding to the collection this summer, four brand new t-shirts have been designed by the following celebrities: Emmy Award-winning actress Jane Lynch, Tony Award-winning artists Alan Cumming & Idina Menzel and comedian Chelsea Handler.
"I am thankful to Van Gogh Vodka for their support of this exciting new project and to Jane, Alan, Idina and Chelsea for their unwavering commitment to equality," said Cyndi Lauper, co-founder of the True Colors Fund and Give a Damn Campaign.
"Their inspiring designs convey messages of understanding and acceptance that will encourage others to join us in giving a damn about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality."
"Van Gogh is very enthusiastic to have our partnership efforts with Give a Damn Campaign expand into a new dimension of awareness. T-shirts have long been the billboard for generations to express themselves and give voice to a cause," said Norman Bonchick, Chairman and CEO of Van Gogh Imports. "LGBT equality remains an important right of our time and Van Gogh is proud to be a part of such a great cause."
Made possible by the support of Van Gogh Vodka as part of the brand's long-term partnership with the non-profit organization, the Give a Damn Campaign Celebrity T-Shirt Project follows up Van Gogh's Cocktails without Prejudice� program: on March 28th, over 60 bars and restaurants across the country served Van Gogh's signature Give a Damn Martini, with a portion of proceeds donated to the Give a Damn Campaign.
The Give a Damn Campaign Celebrity T-shirts, presented by Van Gogh Vodka, will go on sale June 15th for $35 each. Please visit www.wegiveadamn.org to purchase.
The Give a Damn Campaign, a project of Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Fund, is a bold, Web-based initiative with the goal of educating and engaging the straight community in the advancement of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. To learn more about The Give a Damn Campaign, please visit: www.wegiveadamn.org
Van Gogh flavored vodkas (SRP $27/750ml) are crafted in small batches by Master Distiller Tim Vos at the Royal Dirkzwager Distilleries in Schiedam, Holland, which were given "Royal Appointment" in 2005 by Netherlands's Queen Beatrix.
For more information on Van Gogh, please visit www.vangoghvodka.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vangoghblue and www.facebook.com/vangoghvodkas
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A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.
