Depave could receive $2,500 from Patagonia with Your help!

• Posted by hindi on September 30th, 2009 filed in Blogroll, Local Breaking News, Musings

Patagonia Portland to Award $5,000 to Local Environmental Groups

in 2nd Annual Community-Selected ‘Voice Your Choice’ Campaign

Vote September 24-October 24 at Patagonia Store

PORTLAND, OR (September 29, 2009) — Put Patagonia’s money where your mouth is! Cast your ballot in the outdoor clothing manufacturer’s second annual “Voice Your Choice” campaign to help Patagonia’s Portland store decide how it should distribute $5,000 in grant money to three local environmental organizations. The top vote-getter will be awarded $2,500, with the second- and third-place organizations receiving $1,500 and $1,000 respectively.

Local groups nominated for the award are Depave (http://www.depave.org), The Community Cycling Center (http://www.communitycyclingcenter.org), and Friends of Family Farmers (http://www.friendsoffamilyfarmers.org). Votes will be accepted at the store at 907 NW Irving Street from September 24 through October 24. Participants can cast one vote per store per visit. No purchase is necessary.

The candidates were selected by Patagonia store members based on their local focus and range of environmental concerns. Consumers can learn more about the groups by visiting their websites as well as attending “Table Day” presentations by each organization that will be hosted by the store over the next few weeks. Winners will be announced in early November.

Patagonia retail stores in 25 communities throughout the country will be participating in the Voice Your Choice campaign (www.patagonia.com/voiceyourchoice) as part of the company’s well-known support for environmental causes, including a separate Environmental Grants Program that has generated more than $34 million in grants since 1985 by donating 1% of annual sales to environmental organizations worldwide.

“Every day, local environmental organizations make a difference in the community. Our Voice Your Choice program helps them continue their work as well as spreading the word about projects taking place in our backyard,” said store manager Mike Vanreken. “Seeking community input in how to distribute the funds is our way of raising public awareness about local environmental issues and hopefully getting more people involved in protecting the planet.”