Promising to Help

Months before Katie Holmes’ divorce was in the news, she was quietly raising awareness and funds for African communities living in poverty as the face of Tommy Hilfiger’s new apparel line, The Promise Collection. And we want to draw attention to the good works in that. You can purchase shirts, shorts, dresses, wrap skirts, bikinis and scarves online and at the outlet store in Orange that will directly support the Millennium Villages Project in Ruhiira, Uganda.

With each item sold, 100% of the proceeds will give the villagers resources and tools to improve farm productivity, health, education, and access to markets. The apparel (17 pieces for women and 13 for men) was made from textiles and materials from Africa. The designs are inspired by traditional African dress in bright, vibrant colors and prints combined with Hilfiger’s classic American style.

Holmes visited the villages in Ruhiira earlier this year and was named an ambassador by Tommy Hilfiger of the project.

On Hilfiger’s European site, each item is tagged to let you know where the proceeds will go. For example, an Elizabeth scarf will provide four years of improved water for a family of five; a Rwanda polo could give a microloan to two entrepreneurs giving them the opportunity to launch or expand their businesses; and sales from a Tuba short will provide a month’s food for livestock to help a farmer earn an income and support a family of five.
For more information, about Katie Holmes’ involvement as well as goals of Tommy Hilfiger’s The Promise Collection, visit [url=http://www.millenniumpromise.org]http://www.millenniumpromise.org[/url]

The Tommy Hilfiger outlet store is at 20 City Boulevard West in Orange. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 714.712.7313.