Eco-Chic Holiday Gift Idea that Gives Back: Save the Coastline of Georgia, Preserve the African "Gullah" Slave Culture in South Carolina, and Aide Musicians and Restore Neighborhoods in New Orleans
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, (October, 2008) – Upscale candle designer Low Country Luxe gives back to the communities that inspire its products, by donating a portion of the proceeds of three specially designed products to non-profit organizations that Low Country Luxe founder Natalie Evans is passionate about:
The Georgia Land Trust in Savanna, GA – an organization that purchases land inland and along the coast so it can’t be built on, The Penn Center in St. Helena Island, S.C. – preserving the culture of the descendants of slaves brought from the west coast of Africa, and to New Orleans' Preservation Resource Center and Music for Tomorrow – aiding musicians, preserving musical heritage, and restoring the historic architecture and diverse neighborhoods of the historic Southern city. "We are thrilled to bring awareness to these charities whose efforts nurture and heal the American spirit," says Evans.
Low Country Luxe candles are known for their clean light scents and soy wax cotton wicks(tested extensively to meet the highest industry standards and are better for the environment than traditional candles) to ensure a clean, maximized burn time of 100 hours.
Made in the USA, the candle fragrances are named after Lowcountry havens like Savannah and Charleston, as well as signature coastal botanicals like Sea Grass, Spanish Moss and High Cotton. Beautifully packaged in recyclable cylindrical watercolor boxes and reusable glass containers, each contains an elegant gift card printed on recycled paper inscribed with a line from Sidney Lanier's legendary 1878 poem "The Marshes of Glynn" dedicated to Georgia's tidal marshes which served as a source of inspiration for the innovative packaging design.
The first of three specially designed products is a sophisticated "Travel Collection", packaged in a stylish hat box with two-ounce samplings of six signature candle scents benefiting the Georgia Land Trust, a non-profit organization based in Savannah and dedicated to protecting 50,000 acres of open land and 5,000 acres along the state's coast. “I admire Natalie’s environmental ethic, she's doing the right thing” said Frank McIntosh, the director of land protection East Georgia, for the Georgia Land Trust. “This support is critical to our operations and to preserving land for future generations. With the donations derived from product sales, it's the gift that keeps on giving."
The sweet floral "Gullah" candle helps to preserve the legacy and history of the slaves brought to the United States from the west coast of Africa with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Penn Center, the first school for freed slaves on St. Helena Island, South Carolina. The unique "Gullah" African American culture is known for preserving their African language and heritage (storytelling, food, music, folk beliefs, crafts, farming and fishing traditions) more than any other African American community in the United States. Walter Mack, the Director of the Penn Center said, "We are proud to be an inspiration for the Low Country Luxe Gullah candle. We appreciate the generosity of Low Country Luxe for donating a portion of the proceeds for the sales to support preservation of the Gullah history and culture."
The ancient Chinese proverb "Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness" could not be more appropriate to the new candle dedicated to the city of New Orleans, inspired by its wrought iron balconies and seductive aroma-filled courtyards. The purchase of this candle will support revitalization efforts by the Preservation Resource Center and Music for Tomorrow. Brent Reidy, Executive Director of Music for Tomorrow shared, "Music for Tomorrow is honored to be named as a recipient of Low Country Luxe’s charitable efforts to aid the musical heritage and musicians of New Orleans, which still faces serious threats and challenges in the future." The Director of the Preservation Resource Center, Beverly Lamb said, "We are excited to have been chosen by Low Country Luxe so that the Preservation Resource Center can continue its mission to preserve, restore, and revitalize the historic architecture and diverse neighborhoods of New Orleans."
Natalie Evans – founder of the private label soy candle company and an accomplished product development expert for Fortune 500 companies- brings the talent and vision to create luxurious Southern botanical candles fragrances that not only capture the unique charm of life along the coast but also contributes a portion of their sales to these important charities. She also works with hotels, personalities, and organizations to customize candles as private label brands. Evans has been featured in Coastal Living, Paula Deen, and InStyle magazines, and in Oprah's 2008 Holiday Gift Guide on www.oprah.com Candles can be found on-line at www.lowcountryluxe.com and in fine boutiques throughout the U.S. and Canada, and at Williamson Design on Magazine Street in New Orleans.
For additional information please visit:
E-mail: natalie@lowcountryluxe.com
Tel: 912-898-2147
The Penn Center www.penncenter.com
The Georgia Land Trust www.galandtrust.org
The Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans www.prcno.com
Music for Tomorrow www.MusicForTomorrow.org
October 31, 2008
Posted in: United States South