Simmons Natural Bodycare in the news... Simmons Natural Bodycare Offsets its Carbon Emissions with Carbonfund.org Bridgeville, California, November 19, 2007 Simmons Natural Bodycare announced today that it has offset its carbon emissions with Carbonfund.org, the country’s leading carbon offset organization. Simmons Natural Bodycare has offset the carbon emissions produced by the day to day running of their business, including the manufacturing process and commuting of personnel, as well as the emissions from their home and daily life. Since the beginning, 25 years ago, Simmons Natural Bodycare has followed a philosophy of sustainability, from producing natural soaps and body care products to powering their home and business with self-generated electricity using solar PV panels, wind power, and a micro hydroelectric system. But, realizing that fossil fuels and carbon emissions are virtually impossible to eliminate entirely, the business wanted to do something else to reduce its ecological footprint. It has supported reforestation projects to offset emissions since 2006, and realizes the great benefit this will produce now and in the future. Now, through its partnership with Carbonfund.org, Simmons Natural Bodycare is supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency that will make a difference immediately. “It is only natural that we take care of our environment,” noted Dorothy Simmons, co-founder and partner with her husband, Dennis. “Our many chemically sensitive customers realize how toxic our day to day environment can be already. Compound that with the changes that result from wasteful use of our resources and we may find the habitat we have lost is our own.” “Simmons Natural Bodycare has always been a leader when it comes to taking care of ourselves and our planet,” Carbonfund.org Executive Director Eric Carlson said. “We’re extremely pleased to have them as a partner.” About Simmons Natural Bodycare In business since 1982, Simmons Natural Bodycare creates safe and effective soaps and basic body care products for daily use, all in an environmentally friendly environment. You can find their products in stores up and down the West Coast and online at www.simmonsnaturals.com. About Carbonfund.org Carbonfund.org is the country’s leading carbon reduction and offset organization, making it easy and affordable for individuals, businesses and organizations to reduce their climate impact. Carbon offsets enable individuals and businesses to reduce carbon dioxide emissions they are responsible for in their everyday lives by supporting renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects where they are most cost effective. Carbonfund.org works with over 300 corporate and non-profit partners including Discovery, Volkswagen, Dell, Orbitz, Environmental Defense, and Lancome. Soaps for the Troops Bridgeville, California, Feb 28, 2005 Simmons Natural Bodycare is honored to be a participant in the Handcrafted Soapmaker's Guild (HSMG) program to support our troops abroad through contributions to the Morale Kits which are distributed to deploying military through the USO. HMSG's goal is to contribute 10,000 bars to the troops . Soldiers will receive a mini bar of soap to enjoy while he (or she) is in a distant land so far from home. So why only a mini bar? According to the USO, our troops are only allowed to take small kits or personal items with them. Small bars are the perfect size to send along in the Morale Kits, especially because of their multi-purpose qualities. HSMG member, Lynnel Camlin, has been previously involved with the USO Morale Kit program and sent her soaps to the troops. According to Lynnel, “Morale Kits are put together from the USO offices and sent with every soldier upon deployment. The USO office tells us that the Morale Kits are a gift that the soldiers look forward to opening once they are enroute to their destination and are not allowed to open them until they are well along the way." “The last time we sent soaps, it was reported back to me that the soldiers were quite delighted and were sniffing and smelling and trading the soap having a grand time of it. They truly appreciate the handmade soap as it is very personal and not just another tube of toothpaste!” Each bar should last a long time. By taking along a bar of handmade soap, the need for shaving cream, shampoo, or lotion could be eliminated, saving room in their kits for something more personal to remind them of loved ones back home and the many people thinking of them and wishing for their safe return. Whether we are in a time of war or peace, our military personnel sacrifice their all in the service of our country and we can show our support every day of the year. Small Business Making a Big Difference Through Charity Partnership Bridgeville, California, July 1, 2004 Simmons Natural Bodycare has announced that it will contribute a portion of its revenues to Heifer International, a charitable organization that fights hunger and poverty worldwide by giving livestock to impoverished farmers and training them to become self-reliant. As a Village Builder business partner of Heifer, Simmons Natural Bodycare will contribute two percent of the retail price, and one percent of the wholesale price, of its handmade soaps to Heifer through 2007. It will also invite customers to learn more about Heifer’s work to end world hunger and poverty and protect the earth. “Heifer requires its recipients to ‘Pass on the Gift’ of their livestock’s offspring to others, and that’s the spirit in which we are lending our support,” said Dottie Simmons, President. “We feel a responsibility as a successful business to help those who are less fortunate, and we chose Heifer because it has a smart, sensible and effective approach to helping struggling families help themselves.” Heifer Mission & Work Around the World Heifer International has a unique and successful approach to ending hunger and poverty. Heifer trains farmers in environmentally sound agricultural practices, uses trees to combat erosion, and bees and worms to increase crop production for long-term farming success. It teaches community groups how to do strategic planning and community development to improve local economies while encouraging gender equity, peace and the dignity of work. Heifer stresses “passing on the gift.” As people share their animals’ offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe. This simple idea of giving families a source of food and income rather than short-term relief caught on and has continued for 60 years. Today, millions of families in 115 countries have been given the gifts of self-reliance. Milk, eggs, wool, draft power and other benefits from the animals provide families with food and income. Selected appropriately and managed well, animals improve nutrition and help families earn money for education, clothes, health care, better housing and starting a small business. Heifer’s grassroots approach lets people and communities make their own decisions about how to improve their lives. As partners work together to overcome obstacles, they strengthen their communities and foster democracy. By training partners in environmentally sound, sustainable agriculture practices, Heifer makes lasting change possible. At the heart of Heifer’s philosophy is the commitment families make to “pass on the gift,” by sharing one or more of their animal’s offspring with other families in need. Helping others ensures dignity and multiplies the benefits of the original gift from generation to generation. For more information about Heifer International and being a Village Builder business partner, call 800-696-1918 or visit Heifer online at www.heifer.org. Simmons Natural Bodycare is a natural partner for Heifer International as it embraces in deed and in philosophy the same ideals. Since 1979, when they began crafting pure soaps, they always chose quality oils, vitamin E, and other ingredients for their simple natural benefits. But what they make is only half the story. They believe, practice, and promote a philosophy of sustainablility. This encompasses the use of renewable energy sources and ingredients to create their products, doing it in a way which does not degrade the environment or cause harm to its inhabitants. Simmons Natural Bodycare, located in the rural mountains of Northern California, is powered exclusively by self-generated electricity from the sun, wind, and rain. They contribute to the local community and the world community through volunteer work and donations, and support other small businesses through a catalog and website, bringing into action the beliefs upon which Simmons Natural Bodycare was founded. 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