Life is good® Pumpkin Festivals Raise Money to Benefit HomeAid
Over 20,000 attendees in seven states enjoy an exceptional family event
and major fundraiser held in Newland Communities nationwide to raise
$440,000
November 26, 2007 - SAN DIEGO - On Saturday October 20, Newland Communities, the nation's largest community developer, hosted its second annual Life is good Pumpkin Festivals in 11 communities in seven states across the country. More than 20,000 children and adults attended the festivals to carve toothy grins into 13,000 pumpkins and enjoy good old-fashioned games, live music, and great food. Combined, the festivals and the national sales of specially designed Life is good Pumpkin Festival tee shirts, raised approximately $440,000 for charity.HomeAid, a leading national non-profit provider of housing for today's temporarily homeless is the 2007 national beneficiary of the pumpkin festivals. In addition, each of the communities holding festivals selected a local charity to benefit from the event. Included among the thousands of jack-o'-lanterns lit at sunset were hundreds of carved heart pumpkins or "Glow Hearts". Purchased as donations to benefit HomeAid, these inspirational displays of generosity lit the night in support of temporarily homeless children and families across the country. "With more than a third of today's homeless population being children, the pumpkin festivals offer a tremendous opportunity to bring national awareness to a dire societal problem in America and - at the same time - enable dozens and dozens of kids to have a special, fun-filled day," said Genette Eaton, chief executive officer of HomeAid. "With the funds raised, we will have a much greater impact on serving the temporarily homeless in each of the participating Newland communities."
"What a day for these big-hearted communities," said Bert Jacobs, Life is good co-founder and chief executive optimist. "When we join hands with our friends at Newland Communities, great things happen for all the attending families as well as for the many kids supported by HomeAid and the other children's charities benefitting from the day's fundraising." Eleven Newland communities held Life is good Pumpkin Festivals, including 4S Ranch (San Diego, Calif.), Whitney Ranch (Rocklin Calif.), Estrella (Goodyear, Ariz.), Cinco Ranch (Katy, Texas), Summerwood (Houston, Texas), Falcon Pointe (Pflugerville, Texas), Sterling on the Lake (Atlanta, Ga.), Clarksburg Town Center (Clarksburg, Md.), Ladysmith Village (Ladysmith, Va.), FishHawk Ranch (Tampa, Fla.) and MiraBay (Apollo Beach, Fla.). "We credit the thousands of team members, volunteers and donors for the outstanding success of the 2007 Life is good Pumpkin Festivals," said LaDonna Monsees, president and chief executive officer of Newland Communities. "Our purpose couldn't be more serious to help children and families across the country, but our festivals are celebratory community events, incorporating good old-fashioned outdoor fun and family participation."
The alliance between Life is good and Newland Communities gives both companies an expanded way to reach out and give back to communities across the country. At each of the Pumpkin Festivals, funds are raised through the sale of specially designed Life is good Pumpkin Festival tee shirts and merchandise as well as public donations. To see photos from the 2007 Life is good Pumpkin Festivals visit www.newlandpumpkinfestival.com or www.lifeisgood.com.
About Newland Communities®
Newland Communities is a privately owned company that creates residential and urban mixed-use communities from coast-to-coast. Newland believes it has a responsibility to create enduring, healthier communities so people may live life in ways that matter most to them. Newland currently has nearly 40 communities underway in 14 states. For more information, visit www.newlandcommunities.com
About Life is good, Inc.®
Life is good, based in Boston, Mass., spreads good vibes through its colorful collection of apparel and accessories, and the contagious smile of Jake, its optimistic cultural hero. Through its community festivals held nationwide, the company has raised more than $2 million since 2004 for the Life is good Kids Foundation, which in turn has distributed 100% of funds raised to children facing unfair challenges. For more information, visit www.lifeisgood.com
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