Yoko Ono Lennon Teams With Hard Rock And WhyHunger To "IMAGINE" A
World Without Hunger
ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 13,
2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In his iconic song "IMAGINE" John Lennon asked us all to picture a world free
from hunger – a message that lives on today through the global
IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER campaign. For a fifth year artist
and musician Yoko Ono Lennon
generously lends her support to Hard Rock
International and WhyHunger for IMAGINE THERE'S NO
HUNGER, a global campaign to combat childhood hunger and poverty
through the backing of sustainable agriculture education and
feeding programs for children and families in need. Proceeds from
Hard Rock's campaign will directly benefit WhyHunger and its
grassroots partners worldwide, working to advance long-term
solutions to hunger and poverty by supporting community-based
organizations that empower individuals and build self-reliance.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100323/NY75299LOGO
)
"IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER keeps the spirit of John's song
'Imagine' alive today," said Yoko Ono
Lennon. "The campaign does more than imagine a world without
hunger, it works every day to end a problem that affects millions
of children and families around the globe."
In 2012, the co-producers of New Year's
Eve in Times Square, Countdown Entertainment and the Times
Square Alliance are also lending their support to the campaign. The
partnership highlights an IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER presence in
Times Square during the iconic, internationally viewed event, and
will serve to increase and extend visibility for the campaign
through the end of the holiday season. One of the annual highlights
of the New Year's Eve in Times Square
extravaganza has been the performance, just prior to midnight, of
"Imagine." In recent years, it has been sung live by multi-platinum
recording artists such as Cee-Lo and Taio
Cruz.
"During my five years as a program ambassador I have traveled
with WhyHunger, visited their grassroots partners and seen
firsthand the needs of families worldwide, families that even in
2012 are going hungry," said Hamish
Dodds, president and CEO, Hard Rock International, and
Global Ambassador for WhyHunger. "Through the IMAGINE campaign Hard
Rock and WhyHunger have helped communities grow enough food to
provide more than 5.5 million meals to children in 15 different
countries and taught thousands of others techniques for sustained
food production for a future free of hunger."
The IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER program launches in November 2012 continues throughout December 2012 with limited-edition merchandise,
food drives, direct donations by texting IMAGINE to 50555, an
employee ambassador contest and live music events at locations
worldwide, featuring talent like The Script. Proceeds from
the campaign will be donated directly to WhyHunger to benefit local
grassroots partners, including the Pathfinder Academy in
Kenya; the Pattanarak
Foundation in Thailand;
City of Joy in India, Tohono
O'odham Community Action in Sells,
Arizona , USA and the
Peasant Movement of Papaye (MPP) in Haiti. Each grassroots partner
focuses on children living in poverty and helps teach sustainable
farming and entrepreneurial skills for the future.
Additionally, donations to the "IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER"
campaign will also go to support WhyHunger's long-time partners in
the New York and New Jersey area post Hurricane Sandy. These
organizations are on the front lines, providing food, water and
critical services to their neighbors in the aftermath of the storm
and aiding in their long-term recovery. Area partners include
Added Value in Red Hook,
Brooklyn and the Community
FoodBank of New Jersey.
"Our approach is centered on the belief that the solutions and
power needed to end hunger and poverty are found within local
communities, at the grassroots level," said Bill Ayres, founder and executive director of
WhyHunger. "With incredible partners like Yoko Ono Lennon, Hard Rock International and the
thousands of individuals who get involved in the IMAGINE THERE'S NO
HUNGER campaign each year, we provide the support and resources
needed to help some of the most innovative grassroots partners
around the world build long-lasting, sustainable solutions to end
hunger in their communities."
"For many New Year's Eve is a time
when people imagine a better life for themselves, for others, or
for those around the world," said Tim
Tompkins, President of the Times Square Alliance. "With the
countdown to New Year's Eve
approaching, we hope that people will resolve to help end hunger
through this important partnership with WhyHunger and Hard Rock
International."
Fans are encouraged to share their thoughts and IMAGINE
experiences via social media by sending messages, photos and videos
to the official channels for the 2012 IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER
campaign: Facebook.com/HardRock or
Twitter.com/HardRock, and by utilizing the hashtag
#IMAGINENOHUNGER.
$1 Feeds a Child for a Day,
$10 Helps a Family Start a Food
Garden
Through the IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER campaign every dollar
makes an impact. Beginning on Thursday, November 1, 2012,
Hard Rock will offer limited-edition IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER
merchandise, available exclusively at Rock Shops at Hard Rock Cafe,
Hotels and Casino properties around the world and online at
www.hardrock.com.
Hard Rock's 2012 IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER merchandise offerings
include:
- Bracelet* – This red bracelet is embossed with the Hard
Rock and WhyHunger logos and #IMAGINENOHUNGER. ($1 or more donation in cafe)
- Men's T-Shirt** – Inspired by John and Yoko's
philanthropic vision, this navy cotton tee features a winged rock
and roll guitar with "IMAGINE THERE"S NO HUNGER" on the front, and
the word "Imagine" with John
Lennon's caricature and signature on back. ($26)
- Women's T-Shirt** – Inspired by John and Yoko's
philanthropic vision, this burgundy cotton tee features a winged
rock and roll guitar with "IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER" on the front,
and the word "Imagine" with John
Lennon's caricature and signature on back. ($26 exclusively at hardrock.com)
- Bear*** – This grey bear dons a blue and purple satin
bow, and features the Hard Rock logo on one paw and John Lennon's iconic caricature on the other.
($18)
- Pin****– This gold base metal pin features a red guitar
with "IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER" across purple wings. The pin also
features John Lennon's signature and
the Hard Rock Cafe logo. ($12
exclusively at hardrock.com)
*100% of donated amount will be donated to WhyHunger grassroots
partners
**15% of net revenue will be donated to WhyHunger
***15% of net revenue will be donated to WhyHunger grassroots
partners
****100% of net revenue will be donated to WhyHunger
For more information, please visit
www.hardrock.com.
About WhyHunger
WhyHunger is a leader in
building the movement to end hunger and poverty by connecting
people to nutritious, affordable food and by supporting grassroots
solutions that inspire self-reliance and community empowerment.
Founded in 1975 by the late Harry
Chapin & current Executive Director Bill Ayres, WhyHunger works to put an end to
hunger suffered by 49 million Americans and nearly 1 billion people
worldwide. WhyHunger's main programs include the National Hunger
Hotline 1-866-3-HUNGRY, which refers individuals in need of
emergency food assistance to soup kitchens, food banks, government
nutrition programs & community organizations in their
neighborhoods; the Grassroots Action Network, which provides
information, networking opportunities, capacity building &
access to over 8,000 anti-hunger & poverty community
organizations across the United
States and around the world; and Artists Against Hunger
& Poverty which is supported by Bruce
Springsteen, Michael
McDonald, Chicago, Earth
Wind & Fire, Joss Stone,
Darryl McDaniels, Jackson Browne, O.A.R, and many others. For more
information visit www.whyhunger.org.
About Hard Rock International
With a total of
178 venues in 55 countries, including 139 cafes, 18 hotels and 8
casinos, Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally
recognized companies. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's
greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its
locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its
collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live
performance venues and an award-winning website. HRI owns the
global trademark for all Hard Rock brands. The company owns,
operates and franchises Cafes in iconic cities including
London, New York, San
Francisco, Sydney and
Dubai. HRI also owns, licenses
and/or manages hotel/casino properties worldwide. Destinations
include the companies' two most successful Hotel and Casino
properties in Tampa and
Hollywood, Fl., both owned and
operated by HRI parent company The Seminole Tribe of Florida., as well as other exciting locations
including Bali, Biloxi, Chicago, Cancun, Las
Vegas, San Diego and
Singapore. Upcoming new Hard Rock
Cafe locations include Santiago,
Nabq, San Jose and Guatemala
City. New Hard Rock Hotel projects include Aruba, Riviera Maya, Abu Dhabi and Shenzhen and Haikou in China. New Hard Rock Casino projects in
development include Hungary and
Northfield, OH. For more
information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.
Text IMAGINE to 50555 to give a $10 donation to WhyHunger. Charges will appear on
your wireless bill, or be deducted from your prepaid balance.
All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Message and
data rates may apply. Text STOP to 50555 to STOP. Text HELP to
50555 for HELP. Full Terms:
mGive.org/T. Privacy Policy
SOURCE Hard Rock International