Wristband Project Raises $250,000 for Impoverished Children

Compassion International, a long-term child development ministry, received a $250,000 check last month from Kerusso, an apparel and gift company.

By Kenneth Chan, Tuesday, August 02, 2005

One of the nation's largest and fastest growing child development organizations received a $250,000 check last month from an apparel and gift company to help fund physical, social, economic and spiritual development programs for children.

Arkansas-based Kerusso, the premier and dominant producer of apparel within the Christian retail industry, presented the $250,000 check to Compassion International at the Christian Bookseller's Association's International Christian Retail Show in Denver.

In accepting the gift, Dr. Wess Stafford, President and CEO of Compassion International said, "It is an honor to accept this check from our friends at Kerusso. I am overwhelmed by the generosity of those who have helped make this campaign a success. This is an extraordinary effort that will impact the next generation of leaders around the world."

In January, Kerusso began a campaign to raise $500,000 for Compassion International by selling two million “Live for Him” red wristbands. In seven months, Kerusso reached half that goal, selling one million wristbands and bringing in $250,000 to fund programs for children around the world.

Selling at a faster rate than the popular "What Would Jesus Do?" bracelets, the Live for Him red wristbands have been purchased by churches and youth groups in the United States as well as other countries.

According to Compassion, the wristbands will benefit children in need around the world through the organization’s Child Sponsorship Program. Compassion ministers to more than 678,000 children in 23 countries around the world; the money will help fund physical, social, economic and spiritual development programs.

"The Live for Him red wristband project is a great way for Christians to make a personal statement of faith in Jesus Christ. Presenting this check to Compassion International today represents the numerous people around the world that are committed to living out their faith,” said Chris Rainey, Kerusso's Marketing Director.

Since 1952, Compassion has touched the lives of more than a million children, working with more than 65 denominations and many indigenous church partners in Africa, Asia, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Kerusso products are featured in over 5,000 Christian Book & Gift stores worldwide including Family Christian Stores and LifeWay Christian Stores. Kerusso has also been featured in other retail outlets such as JC Penney's, Gordman's, Sacks stores, Casual Male Big & Tall Shops, Hastings, ABC Distributing Catalog, HallMark Stores, and others. In addition to traditional brick and mortar locations, Kerusso is also featured as a merchant with Amazon.com, over 80 other online retailers, and malls throughout the country.