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Avon  announced that they will partner with Dempsey Racing this year for the the 2009 Rolex 24 at Daytona. The partnership will be between Dempsey Racing and the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The No. 40 White Mazda RX-8, which will of course be driven by Patrick Dempsey will carry a pink trim on the black and white car.

Avon will also be giving one lucky person a chance to win a meeting with Dempsey at a future Grand Am event, just by registering for more info on the partnership on the Avon Walk website. www.avonwalk.org.

Team Dempsey, Dempsey Racing, will compete in the Gran Am Rolex Sports Car Series in the GT class. The event, presented by Crown Royal will take place in Dayton at the 47th running of America’s premier sports car race January 24-25.

Dempsey, who’s wife is a beauty consultant for Avon, has also developed his own fragrance for the global beauty company. Demspsey and his wife have been active participants in several charitable initiaves that Avon has sponsored. Dempsey is thrilled to not only be racing in the event, a sport he has a passion for, but also to be supporting Avon and Breast cancer research. “Real men can wear pink,” said Dempsey, who races in the Rolex Series when his busy shooting schedule for the popular television program, Grey’s Anatomy, allows. “All of us at Dempsey Racing are proud to partner with the Avon Foundation in its fight against breast cancer. By wearing pink on our suits and on our cars, we hope to raise awareness for this important cause and for an extraordinary series of events: the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.”

“While two very different types of endurance events, the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and sports car racing have the common tie of the mental and physical stamina required to achieve success,” Dempsey said. “With that juxtaposition in mind, a special contest for top fundraisers of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer will be unveiled during The Rolex 24 at Daytona, January 24-25, 2009.”

You can find out more info on the walk as well as get the scoop on the Avon and Dempsey racing partnership at www.avonwalk.org. On the site you can register to walk, find out how to donate, get more info and even register for a chance to meet Dempsey, aka McDreamy himself at a future Grand Am race.

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Nu Skin Enterpriseswas honored last week with the China Charity award for the company’s commitment and dedication to helping those in need in China, especially during and after the devastating earthquake that hit the country earlier in the year.
The award, the most prestigious charity award given in the country, is given by the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs. Hu Jintao, president of the People’s Republic of China, presented the award to Andrew Fan, the President of Nu Skin’s Greater China Region. The award was presented at a special ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing China.

“This year Nu Skin’s culture of giving was demonstrated in numerous ways, particularly in China following the Sichuan earthquake and devastating snow storms,” said Truman Hunt, president and chief executive officer of Nu Skin Enterprises. “We applaud our Greater China staff and sales force who came together to provide quick and significant relief to those affected by disaster. Nu Skin China truly made a difference as they executed on our mission to be a force for good in the world.”

During the last year, Nu Skin donated money and supplies through their Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation, in the tune of almost $5 million dollars. The donations came not only in money, but also in supplies and food needed to rebuild after the earthquake in the Sichuan Region of China. Nu Skin also jumped in to help after a series of devastating snow storms this year that compounded the devastation produced by the earthquake. The money was not only donated by the company, but also by consumers, distributors and employees of the company.

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Amanda Bynes, international teen star, joined Mary Kay, Inc   to help kick off a national online campaign to encourage schools around the country to put in programs in schools teaching dating violence prevention.

The company along with Bynes will visit schools as well as promote an online petition to encourage lawmakers to make domestic violence prevention awareness mandatory in schools.

Bynes will work with Mary Kay, Inc and non-profit partner Break the Cycle to speak to young people about healthy relationships and how to prevent violence in a relationship. The first stop on their tour took place earlier in the week when Bynes visited the Oscar De La Hoya Animo Charter High School.

A recent report by the Family Violence Prevention Fund showed that a startling number of young people report being involved in a violent dating situation. Studies show that one in four eighth and ninth graders have been a part of a violent relationship. The Department of Justice confirmed that girls between 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of violence in relationships. These statistics alone show why it is important to educate all young people, boys and girls about domestic violence and how to prevent it.

“Amanda Bynes has joined Mary Kay and Break the Cycle to support our global philanthropic efforts to change the lives of women and children around the world,” said Rhonda Shasteen, chief marketing officer, Mary Kay Inc. “Domestic violence is a serious problem, and it’s not just among adults. As many as one in three teenagers will deal with physical, sexual, verbal or emotional abuse in a relationship. With Amanda Bynes’ support, we hope to generate awareness among teens and young adults about ways they can prevent teen dating violence.”

To become a part of the online campaign, and sign the petition, you can visit, www.enddatingviolence.com, The petition will be sent to lawmakers across the country to encourage them to make programs mandatory in schools. Currently only Texas and Rhode Island require domestic violence programs as part of the high school curriculum. Bynes became the first person to sign the petition.

Mary Kay Inc. has been a part of efforts to improve the lives of woman around the world for some time. In 2008 alone, the company will donate more than $1.5 million dollars from the sale of Beauty that Counts Crème Lipstick in Apple Berry to causes that change the lives of women and children around the world. Funds raised in the United States will go towards the Mary Ash Charitable Foundation and Break the Cycle.

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Herbalife has just finalized an agreement with the Mianyang Municipal Education Bureau to form a relief fund to help the children affected by the Sichuan Earthquake earlier in the year.

The earthquake killed and injured thousands of people. Many of those affected by the earthquake were children whose homes were badly damaged and destroyed.

The fund established by the partnership, called Warm Foundation will help meet the needs of children from over 300 families who are struggling with financial problems in Mianyang City due to the disaster. Each family will receive around 1000 yuan from the fund annually for the next couple years.

So far, the fund has given warm coats to children in the city as they prepare for the winter. “The fund is established on the donation of our more than 1000 employees in China, representing our good wishes and warm regards to the people affected by the devastating earthquake,” said a spokesperson of Herbalife South China division.

Herbalife China was established in 1998, with its executive offices located in Shanghai. The company grew quickly in the region and they hope to give back to the people of China by helping them rebuild. A company spokesperson spoke about the close relationship the company has with China and its desire to help the people, “We are glad to have the opportunity to help the local government’s aid the families and children affected by the earthquake and would like to see more people to join us in the efforts.”

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