Community Shares to Launch 2010 Campaign

Reception Will Highlight New Members, Feature Shopping at Ten Thousand Villages

CLEVELAND- Community Shares will launch its 2010 workplace giving campaign on Monday, September 20, 2010 at Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Ave. , Cleveland at 5:30 p.m. The kickoff will highlight four new Community Shares members: The Empowerment Center of Greater Cleveland, CityMusic Cleveland, The New Agrarian Center (City Fresh), and Providence House. Speakers will also include representatives from Community Shares and its members.

Admission is free and open to the public. A reception with light refreshments will be held immediately following the kickoff.

Ten Thousand Villages, located at Trinity Commons, will conduct a special promotion starting at 10:30 a.m. on September 20 for supporters of Community Shares. When a customer mentions Community Shares, Ten Thousand Villages will donate 15% of the sale to Shares. Supporters will be able to shop immediately after the kickoff.

"We are pleased to partner with Ten Thousand Villages as we begin our 2010 workplace giving campaign. As our members work to build stronger neighborhoods and protect our rights in greater Cleveland , we must recognize that we have a shared responsibility to promote ideals like justice, fairness, and peace everywhere," said Community Shares Executive Director Cynthia Ries.

Ten Thousand Villages in Cleveland is a nonprofit, charitable, fair trade retailer of artisan-crafted home decor, personal accessories and gift items from across the globe. Featuring products from artisan groups in some 36 countries, Ten Thousand Villages ensures that skilled artisans receive a fair price for their work and that consumers have access to distinctive handcrafted items. For more information visit cleveland.tenthousandvillages.com

Community Shares' mission is to support social justice organizations through workplace giving programs and other philanthropic initiatives. Since its inception in 1984, Community Shares has invested nearly $15 million to advance long-term solutions for our community. For more information on Community Shares and its 41 members, visit communityshares.org or call 216-361-9920.

What: Community Shares 2010 Workplace Giving Campaign Kickoff
Where: Trinity Cathedral; 2230 Euclid Ave. , Cleveland
When: September 20, 2010, 5:30 p.m.