Toy Robot Helps Get Homeless Kids Off the Streets
Supermodel Emme to Premiere Kauzbots at 2009 International Toy Fair to Benefit Hearts of Gold, Inc.
Kauzbots, along with internationally-known supermodel Emme, will premiere “Kalvin Kauzbot,” a plush toy robot benefiting Hearts of Gold, Inc., a New York based non-profit organization whose purpose is to improve the lives of mothers and their children living in New York shelters. Premiere to be held Monday, February 16th, 8:30am, at the International Toy Fair, Javits Center, Booth #1037.
Emme, supermodel, television personality, author, and clothing designer, will be on hand to represent Hearts of Gold and autograph miniature Kauzbots for those in attendance.
”We’re excited to premiere Kalvin Kauzbot and inaugurate a relationship with Hearts of Gold that will provide a wonderful organization with exposure and financial benefit,” said David Trotter, co-founder of Kauzbots. “It will be wonderful to have Emme and Deborah Koenigsberger, the founder of Hearts of Gold, on hand to launch this cause-oriented line.”
Launched in 2009, Kauzbots is a new line of handcrafted plush toy robots designed to inspire kids and adults to make a difference in the world. With 10 bots being released in 2009, each 18” tall Kauzbot is a ‘robot with a heart’ that is passionate about a particular cause, ranging from pediatric AIDS to autism to the protection of the environment. 10% of the retail price (MSRP of $24.99) from the sale of each Kauzbot and accompanying apparel is donated to the non-profit organization that is associated with that bot’s cause, indicated by an accompanying tag on the product.
The sale of Kalvin, the leader of the Kauzbots, will benefit Hearts of Gold and its work to improve the lives of more than 350 children and 230 mothers annually at three Manhattan shelters. Hearts of Gold also helps mothers and their children as they transition from these shelters to permanent housing through its Alumni Support Program.
“We are passionate about empowering mothers and children toward self-improvement and independence as they move from homelessness to the shelters to permanent housing,” stated Deborah Koenigsberger, founder and executive director of Hearts of Gold. “The premiere of Kauzbots and our ongoing relationship is a great way to bring attention to the needs of women and children who are without homes and often victims of domestic violence.”
Kauzbots will officially launch at the American International Toy Fair, February 15-18, 2009 at the Javits Center, Booth #1037.
About KAUZBOTS
Kauzbots is a new line of plush toy robots that are passionate about causes around the world. For each Kauzbot (or accompanying apparel) that is purchased, 10% of the retail price is donated to the cause that is close to that robot’s heart. Kauzbots is a team of friends, artists, and ex-pastors who are passionate about inspiring kids and adults to make a difference in the world, and it is committed to putting creative ideas into action. For more information, visit www.kauzbots.com or call 888-KAUZBOT (528-9268).
About HEARTS OF GOLD
The mission of Hearts of Gold is to enhance the lives of New York City’s homeless mothers and their children. Hearts of Gold improves the lives of more than 350 children and 230 mothers annually at three Manhattan shelters: Icahn House East, LLC; Semiperm; and Nazareth Housing. Hearts of Gold also supports mothers and their children as they transition from these shelters to permanent housing through its Alumni Support Program, by maintaining a relationship with ‘alumni’ in need, many of whom face the challenges of being alone in a home for the first time in their lives. For more information, visit www.heartsofgold.org or call 212-206-1461.
Soledad O’Brien, Emme, and Dee Dee Ricks to Give Away Kauzbots
to Benefit Hearts of Gold, Inc.
In conjunction with the American International Toy Fair in New York, Kauzbots and Hearts of Gold, Inc., a New York based non-profit organization whose purpose is to improve the lives of mothers and their children living in New York shelters, will be hosting a ‘Kauzbot party’ with a live appearance by Kalvin Kauzbot, a full-size plush robot at the center of the new Kauzbots line. The event will be held on Tuesday, February 17th at 7pm at Marble Collegiate Church located at 1 West 29th Street in New York City.
Emme, internationally-known supermodel, and Soledad O’Brien, award-winning journalist, will be on hand to represent Hearts of Gold and to pass out Kauzbot toys to children and their mothers from local Manhattan transitional living shelters where Hearts of Gold provides assistance on a regular basis. Deborah Koenigsberger, founder and executive director of Hearts of Gold, and Dee Dee Ricks, founder of Ricks & Ray Partners and Hearts of Gold Advisory Board member, will be in attendance to inaugurate the new relationship with Kauzbots as well.
”We’re excited to launch our new line of Kauzbots by giving bots away to the wonderful children that Hearts of Gold is so passionate about,” said David Trotter, co-founder of Kauzbots. “We come alongside high-quality organizations to provide exposure and financial benefit to the cause that they are committed to.”
Launched in 2009, Kauzbots is a new line of handcrafted plush toy robots designed to inspire kids and adults to make a difference in the world. With 10 bots being released in 2009, each 18” tall Kauzbot is a ‘robot with a heart’ that is passionate about a particular cause, ranging from pediatric AIDS to autism to the protection of the environment. 10% of the retail price (MSRP of $24.99) from the sale of each Kauzbot and accompanying apparel is donated to the non-profit organization that is associated with that bot’s cause, indicated by an accompanying tag on the product.
The sale of Kalvin, the leader of the Kauzbots, will benefit Hearts of Gold and its work to improve the lives of more than 350 children and 230 mothers annually at three Manhattan shelters. Hearts of Gold also helps mothers and their children as they transition from these shelters to permanent housing through its Alumni Support Program.
”We believe that our relationship with Kauzbots is a great way to bring attention to the needs of women and children who are without homes and often victims of domestic violence,” stated Deborah Koenigsberger, founder and executive director of Hearts of Gold. “We are passionate about empowering mothers and children toward self-improvement and independence as they move from homelessness to the shelters to permanent housing.”
Kauzbots will officially launch at the American International Toy Fair, February 15-18, 2009 at the Javits Center, Booth #1037.
About KAUZBOTS
Kauzbots is a new line of plush toy robots that are passionate about causes around the world. For each Kauzbot (or accompanying apparel) that is purchased, 10% of the retail price is donated to the cause that is close to that robot’s heart. Kauzbots is a team of friends, artists, and ex-pastors who are passionate about inspiring kids and adults to make a difference in the world, and it is committed to putting creative ideas into action. For more information, visit www.kauzbots.com or call 888-KAUZBOT (528-9268).
About HEARTS OF GOLD
The mission of Hearts of Gold is to enhance the lives of New York City’s homeless mothers and their children. Hearts of Gold improves the lives of more than 350 children and 230 mothers annually at three Manhattan shelters: Icahn House East, LLC; Semiperm; and Nazareth Housing. Hearts of Gold also supports mothers and their children as they transition from these shelters to permanent housing through its Alumni Support Program, by maintaining a relationship with ‘alumni’ in need, many of whom face the challenges of being alone in a home for the first time in their lives. For more information, visit www.heartsofgold.org or call 212-206-1461.
Kauzbots Co-founders - Video Message
Kauzbots Donates First Water Well in India
On December 11, 2008, I was given the privilege of donating our first water well in India alongside our co-founders – David Trotter and Keith Page. It was a bit muddy that day so they carried me the entire way!
We were greeted by children from a neighboring orphanages and given leis on our necks as flower petals were tossed in the air. What an amazing greeting!
As we entered the village and saw all the mud huts with thatched roofs, we were reminded of the need to continue making an impact. We heard from village elders about the contaminated drinking water that they’ve had to endure and the sickness that comes along with it.
You should have seen their eyes light up as we dedicated the water well. For years to come, this well will provide clean drinking water for this village with over 500 families.
Overwhelmed by the Needs
Over the past 3 days, I’ve spent a great deal of time traveling here and there to see the incredible work of Harvest India. We have…
- Played with 300+ orphaned children in an amazing children’s home.
- Dedicated a water purification plant for the children’s home.
- Dedicated a new ambulance for an “old-aged” home so they can get to and from the hospital.
- Visiting a well that was sponsored by Facebook Friends of Harvest India.
- Fed hundreds of street children, adults with HIV, and the elderly.
- Visited a transitional living center for street children who have lived in the railway stations.
- Held a Christmas celebration for the town of Tenali.
Although I’ve been amazed by the incredible needs, I have been overjoyed by the beautiful smiles and warm hearts of the Indian people. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed just playing and spending time with them.
Tomorrow, we’ll be dedicating the water well on behalf of the Kauzbots Kommunity. I can’t wait to give you an update!
I'm in INDIA!
After an 18 hour flight to Bangkok, Thailand, a 12 hour layover, a 3 hour flight to Chennai, India, a 5 hour tour of a potential children’s home, and an 8 hour train ride, I’ve finally reached my destination – Tenali, Andrah Pradesh in southern India. What a trip!
After arriving in Chennai today, I had the opportunity to meet a wonderful man named “Prem” (see family photo below) who has a vision to start a “children’s home” on the outskirts of the city. He and his wife have already identified 25 children in a particular slum area who are in need of care. Although they may have a mother or father, they are not being well taken care of.
For a mere $40 a month, each child can receive shelter, food, clothing, health care, and a great private education. What an amazing need! What an amazing opportunity!
After a short visit, we headed to the train station and enjoyed an 8 hour ride into the fine town of Tenali. While my traveling buddies slept the entire way, I stayed awake watching our bags to ensure they were safe.
We arrived at 1:30am, and we traveled by van to the home of Suresh Kumar who leads an amazing humanitarian organization called Harvest India. For the next 3 days, we’ll be touring all of their projects and dedicating the first water well on behalf of the Kauzbots Kommunity.
Traveling to Bangkok, Thailand
I have to admit that I was a little nervous with this whole concept of going to India. The travel, the food, the culture…it’s all a learning experience. I know it’ll be worth it when I stand in that village and dedicate a well on behalf of the Kauzbot Kommunity.
Right as I was getting used to the concept of sitting on a plane for an entire day, they told me I had to go through the scanner. Not the one for normal people…but the one for the carry-on luggage. Geez – what do these people think I am?
I laid in the little plastic tub and closed my eyes the entire way. They flashed some sort of light on me and took a picture, but I made it. And, I didn’t even faint! At the end of the tunnel, two nice ladies rubbed my back and made me feel alot better.
Everything was going pretty smooth until we had to hang out on the plane for 2 hours before we even got to take off. It was some sort of cargo issue I guess. I just listened to a little Jack Johnson and read the latest issue of Atomic Ranch…good stuff!
18 and a half hours is a long time to be sitting in one seat, so I got up and move around quite a bit. You’d think those people on the plane were staring at an alien. Geez! Haven’t they ever seen a robot have to stretch his legs a bit?
After landing, we took a shuttle to the Novotel Hotel where Thai Air graciously hooked us up with free accomodations because of a one day flight delay due to the Bangkok airport protesters. We enjoyed a great buffet dinner, called some friends back home, and hit the sack.
Stay tuned, and I’ll update you along the way. I also thought you’d enjoy a few photos from the day…
Kalvin Heads to India!
This Friday, I’ll be leading a team from Kauzbots to spend a week in India and Thailand. As we spend time with some of our friends, we’ll be…
- Researching needs that we can impact through Kauzbots.
- Making new friends who are impacting the world like you and me.
- Dedicating our first water well in rural India provided by Kauzbots.