Vitamin Angels Seeks to Raise $500,000 in 100 Days

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.Vitamin Angels new 100 Days of Giving campaign aims to raise $250,000 through public donations, which will then be matched by a group of sponsors for a total of $500,000, by Jan. 1, 2012. The campaign launched on Sept. 23 and has the goal of giving undernourished infants and children a brighter future.

Vitamin Angels, a nonprofit, 501(c)3 charitable organization connecting essential nutrients, especially vitamin A, with at-risk populations around the world, said it costs $.251 to supply one child with vitamin A for one year is. With the 100 Days of Giving campaign, the organization can reach an additional 2 million children.

Over the next 100 days, Vitamin Angels will be offering materials and resources to encourage supporters to develop their own on- and offline fundraisers. The campaign will engage parents, students, food enthusiasts, and health and wellness advocates, among others.

Most people dont know that chronic malnutrition is the underlying cause of death for more children than AIDS, malaria or tuberculosis," said Howard B. Schiffer, president of Vitamin Angels. The amazing thing is malnutrition is solvable. We dont need to do any research. We dont have to try to find a cure. Just getting nutrients, especially vitamin A, out to children is the lowest cost, highest impact intervention you can provide."

Worldwide, an estimated 190 million children younger than 5 years suffer from vitamin A deficiency, a major underlying cause of child mortality and blindness. However, one dose of vitamin A every six months can help prevent blindness and reduce under-5 child mortality by an average of 24 pecent in at-risk populations, according to the organization.

Vitamin Angels 100 Days of Giving is sponsored by Emerson Ecologics, DSM, Pharmachem Laboratories, Marine Nutriceutical, AIDP, Swanson Health Products, Michael's Naturopathic, Lily of the Desert, UNFI, BioSan Laboratories, Novell Ingredients and others.

Vitamin Angels, which recently received Charity Navigators top ranking, will also be discussing its mission at the Opening Reception at SupplySide West on Oct. 12 at TAO Nightclub at the Venetian. The event is open to all SupplySide West participants, and starts at 5:30pm.