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For More Information:
Susan Dewhirst
Tom's of Maine
1-800-FOR-TOMS
sdewhirst@tomsofmaine.com

JUNE IS NATIONAL RIVERS AWARENESS MONTH

Tom's of Maine Program Building Momentum Among Retailers, Non-Profits and Consumers

KENNEBUNK, Maine—June 5, 2003— June is National Rivers Awareness Month™, a time established by Tom's of Maine to inspire support and stewardship for America's troubled rivers and waterways. More than 200 million Americans live within 10 miles of a polluted river, lake, stream, or coastal area, and almost 300,000 miles of America's rivers—a source of 60 percent of our drinking water—do not meet safe water standards. Tom's-sponsored activities this month aim to change those statistics.

The 30-day celebration complements Tom's of Maine's National Rivers Awareness Program, a five-year partnership with River Network, The Nature Conservancy, the National Park Service Rivers & Trails Program, and retailers across America. "Our nation's rivers and watersheds are in need of help, and it is up to us—businesses, non-profits, and individuals working together—to effect a positive change," says Tom's of Maine co-founder and President Tom Chappell.

Tom's comprehensive program combines the resources of its partners to reach thousands of people nationwide with a message of conservation and stewardship. Information is printed on special panels on all Tom's consumer packaging, through its website, in print and radio advertising across the country, and through national river-related event sponsorships, such as the Clearwater Great Hudson River Revival June 21-22.

Momentum continues for the program, now in its second year. Tom's retail partners are carrying Rivers displays in over 3,000 stores across America, offering educational brochures and the free interactive River Stories DVD, with links to over 3,600 river groups in the U.S. In 2002, dozens of river restoration projects were initiated by the program, and hundreds of river awareness kits distributed.

"Tom's of Maine is a leader in creating a new way to do business—successfully combining sound business practices with active support for important environmental issues, and we are proud to be a partner in this effort to save our rivers," says River Network's Chief Executive Officer Don Elder.

Founded in Kennebunk, Maine by Tom and Kate Chappell in 1970, Tom's of Maine is the leading creator of safe, effective Natural Care products that work—for consumers, the environment, and communities. Tom's products—such as toothpaste, mouthwash, soap and deodorant—contain no artificial flavors, dyes or sweeteners, are biodegradable, are packaged in earth-friendly ways, and are tested for safety and efficacy without the use of animals. For more information about Tom's of Maine's National Rivers Awareness Program, contact Kathleen Taggersell at 800-367-8667.

TOM'S OF MAINE NATIONAL RIVERS AWARENESS PROGRAM(tm) FACT SHEET

Tom's of Maine's Rivers Awareness Program is one example of a Common Good Partnership, a unique business model whereby Tom's works together with like-minded partners toward shared goals. The key elements of this Common Good Partnership are:

NON-PROFIT PARTNERS
— The National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program The National Park Service Rivers & Trails Program is a national resource for locally led conservation efforts, working to help set conservation priorities and achieve goals.

— The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is the world's leading private, international conservation group, with over 1 million members, preserving habitats and species by saving the lands and waters they need to survive.

— River Network
River Network is a national organization that helps people understand, protect and restore rivers and their watersheds by supporting grassroots conservation groups.

RETAIL PARTNERS
Tom's retail partners include hundreds of independent health food stores across the U.S, as well as the following supermarkets and drug stores:

  • A&P
  • Price Chopper
  • Bartell Drug
  • Quality Food Center
  • Bi Mart
  • Randall's
  • Brooks Drug
  • Safeway
  • DeMoulas
  • Shaw's
  • Duane Reade
  • Shoprite
  • Fred Meyer
  • Stop & Shop
  • Hannaford
  • Super Value
  • Long's
  • Wakefern
  • Kroger
  • Whole Foods
  • Pathmark
  • Wild Oats

REACHING CONSUMERS
— National print/radio—including National Public Radio sponsorship and advertising support in key markets. — Packaging and in-store—practical conservation tips on Tom's packaging, and in-store displays and brochures in more than 3,000 stores nationwide.

— Event sponsorship—Support of numerous regional river clean-ups and festivals across the country.

— Free River Stories DVD—Thousands of interactive DVDs distributed nationwide through participating retailers.

— Local support—Through a $500,000 donation to the Nature Conservancy and grants to the National Park Service, Tom's has initiated numerous river conservation and restoration efforts by local groups across the country.

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