Katy Koala is being made by Ty Inc as a fundraising tool in a truly global campaign to raise money for koala rescue and recovery following the devastating bushfires in Australia.
Ty Inc and their their Australian distributor, Big Balloon, are donating 100% of profits. newsXpress corporate is Alsop donating 100% of profits as are the corporate newsXpress stores. I anticipate many locally owned newsXpress stores and other Beanie Boo retailers will do the same to maximise the fundraising.
Here is a more complete release announcing this unique global campaign:
“PLEASE SAVE THE KOALAS,” URGES TY WARNER, RELEASING NEW BEANIE BOO TO AID AUSTRALIA
All profits from Katy Koala donated to organization that saves Australian wildlife
OAK BROOK, Ill. – Ty Warner has created Katy Koala to help the endangered Australian wildlife. 100% of all profits from the original sale will be donated to WIRES.
“Hopefully, this special Beanie Boo will raise awareness around the world about these devastating fires raging through Australia and will provide help to all wildlife affected by the tragedy,” said Ty Warner, CEO and founder of Ty Inc. About Ty Inc. Ty Inc. is the largest manufacturer of plush in the world. Katy Koala will be available worldwide. For more information, visit Ty.com
About WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc.) WIRES is Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organisation and has been rescuing and caring for native animals since 1985. It officially launched as a not-for-profit organisation in March 1986 with its mission to actively rehabilitate and preserve Australian wildlife and inspire others to do the same. WIRES has 28 branches and over 2500 volunteers who are involved in the rescue and care of wildlife in NSW and they assist many thousands of sick, orphaned, injured and displaced animals every year. The WIRES Rescue Office operates 365 days a year so the community can report sightings of native animals in distress.
Wires are supporting the relief network Nationally. While a focus is NSW as that is their home, they have done national work so for some time, and are the largest wildlife relief NGO in Australia. They have over 2,500 volunteers working around the country.
Below is a link of the statement from their CEO. Wires is supporting wildlife nationally. Below is a link to a statement from their CEO recently: https://www.facebook.com/164290389749/posts/10158332029059750/?substory_index=0
Also, as some background why Big Balloon and Ty chose WIRES, we contacted the Koala Foundation and number of other wildlife non-profit organisations. They all recommended WIRES purely because they have the greatest national reach and resource, which a lot of the other state bases right now can’t handle due to the enormity of the situation.
Important notes:
- Ty Inc globally will donate 100% of profits from the original sale of Katy Koala.
- Big Balloon will donate 100% of its profits from the sale of Katy.
- newsXpress corporately will donate 100% of its profits.
- We urge all newsXpress members to do this, thereby enabling a clear statement to consumers.
Katy will be in store in March.