Riunite, America’s favorite imported red wine for the past four decades, is committing over a quarter of a million dollars in donations and marketing support to help the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), an organization that provides assistance to families of deceased military servicemen and servicewomen.
“With warm weather, picnics, barbecues, and seaside festivities, summertime is the strongest selling season for Riunite,” said Charles Dellavecchia, European portfolio director, Banfi Vintners, U.S. importer of Riunite. “In addition to enjoying chilled Riunite Lambrusco, Americans have a strong sense of patriotism between Memorial Day and Independence Day – a perfect time to raise awareness for a cause that helps survivors of deceased military personnel.”
Beginning on May 1, 2013 and through July 31, 2013, a portion of all sales proceeds of Riunite wines will be donated to TAPS by Banfi Vintners.
“Memorial Day is the unofficial start of the summer,” said Dellavecchia, “Yet it’s important to remember the holiday’s origin. This partnership serves as a reminder to honor American service members who lost their lives protecting the freedoms we all enjoy – and empowers everyone to help these families.”
Toward that end, Riunite is offering consumers the opportunity to donate their Mail-in-Refund to TAPS, and a mobile-donation platform enables anyone with a smart phone to text ‘TAPS’ to 50555 and automatically donate $10. This mobile donation feature is also accessible through QR codes distributed at wine shops nationwide, as well as via ‘Donate Now’ buttons on the Riunite and TAPS websites and Facebook pages.
“In addition to in-store displays and traditional advertising running through and beyond July 4th, we will leverage our social media channels to encourage donations,” said Dellavecchia, citing that messaging will be frequently sent to Riunite’s Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest fans.
About Banfi Vintners
Banfi Vintners was founded in New York in 1919 by John F. Mariani, Sr. and built into America’s leading wine marketer for the past four decades by his children and grandchildren, who are also proprietors of the Castello Banfi vineyard estate in Montalcino, Tuscany; Vigne Regali Cellars in Strevi, Piedmont; and Pacific Rim Winery of Columbia’s Washington Valley.
About TAPS
Since its founding in 1994 by bereaved military families, TAPS has helped more than 40,000 grieving military family members and their caregivers. TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, seminars for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, connections to community-based care, casualty casework assistance, and a 24/7 resource and information help line for all who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces. Services are provided free of charge. For more information go to www.taps.org or call the toll-free resource and information help line at 800.959.TAPS (8277).
Media Contacts:
For Riunite: Lars Leicht, Vinum Communications, (801) 50-VINUM, news@vinumcomm.com
For TAPS: Ami Neiberger-Miller, 202.588.8277, ami@taps.org