Bolt's limited edition autographed Puma sneakers now on eBay
Published:
Wednesday | April 15, 2009
As not-for-profits
seek to find creative ways to finance their programmes and survive
in the current economic downturn, one charity is seeking to capitalise
on the power of Internet and celebrity.
The New York-based
Jamaican charity, Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) Inc has joined
forces with the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, and PUMAVision in
this latest initiative to raise funds to carry out its mission in
Jamaica as well as the United States.
The bidding for
the limited edition PUMA Cell Mio Bolt has started at US$750 and persons
have until Tuesday, April 21, to be part of history and own a valuable
sporting memorabilia. The sneakers (UK size 13) are one of three pairs
donated by PUMAVision to COJO as part its community outreach efforts
as they seek to partner with worthwhile causes. The sneakers were
on display during COJO's Annual Scholarship Gala held on the first
Saturday of December each year.
Direction and
framework
"PUMAVision
is PUMA's way of uniting all initiatives that come under the heading
'Corporate Social Responsibility' and giving them a coherent direction
and framework," said PUMA Chairman and CEO Jochen Zeitz. "It
comes from a vision of a world that is better than the one we know
now - a world that is safer, more peaceful and more creative. Through
the programmes of puma.safe (focusing on environmental and social
issues); puma.peace (supporting global peace); and puma.creative (suppor-ting
artists and creative organisa-tions), that vision becomes practical
reality."
COJO Chairman
Gary Williams said the organisation was grateful to PUMAVision for
the donation of the three pairs of sneakers and to Usain Bolt for
taking the time out of his demanding training schedule to autograph
the sneakers.
"All proceeds
raised from this auction will go towards establishing a scholarship
called 'The PUMA Usain Bolt Scholarship', which will be awarded to
a deserving child," said Williams.
PUMA had released
180 pairs of the sneakers in commemoration of Bolt's 100m world record
run at the Reebok Grand Prix at the Icahn Stadium in May last year,
a mark he since lowered at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
The PUMA Cell Mio Bolt features an all black-white stripe upper on
top of a bright blue translucent Cell sole. Inscribed all over in
blue & copper metallic ink are goal/positive statements Bolt etched
to reinforce his determination to win.
COJO is a non-profit
organisation in New York, whose mission is to help improve the health,
education and general well-being of underprivileged children.
Over the last
decade, the volunteer-driven organisation has supported a number of
institutions in Jamaica as well as the United States. Among them are
the Alpha Boys' Home; Glenhope Place of Safety; Marigold Child Care
Centre and the Musgrave Girls' Home in Jamaica and, in New York, the
Jamaica, Queens YMCA and Leaf of Life.
For further information
about COJO including sponsorship opportunities, visit www.cojokids.org