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Small Bear Big Heart

ABC raises more than 40 Million Lebanese pounds to fight against homeless children

ABC, the leading retailer in Lebanon, announced today the results of its 2011 initiative raising more than 40 Million Lebanese pounds to AFEL to support Lebanese homeless children. The announcement was made in the NGO headquarters in Nabaa and was attended by ABC, “Save the Children” and AFEL senior officials.

Following the success of the 2010 Small Bear Big Heart, ABC joined hands this year with “Save the Children”, the world’s leading independent non-profit organization for children, and their partner AFEL in providing support to street children in Lebanon, a growing problem for the past 10 years. Customized teddy bears, designed by Lebanese designers Sarah Baydoun and Nada Talhame, were sold during Christmas in all ABC malls to fund the campaign.

“To date, Lebanon has an unknown number of children without adult support, educational access and healthcare”, said Robert Fadel, Chairman of ABC. “Thanks to the contributions, 20 children will go to school, get a psychological support and most importantly get a place to live”, he added.

Throughout the year, ABC will closely follow-up with the supported children and share the positive impact that the contributions and donations are having on their lives. Success stories, achievements, events and more will be shared on the websites of both ABC’s campaign and Save the Children’s.


About ABC:

Established in 1936, ABC was the first department store to open its doors in the Middle East. In 2003, with the opening of ABC Achrafieh Mall, ABC introduced the first mall in Lebanon and was the first retail store to branch throughout the country and expand its reach to a wider scope of customers. With its six branches spread across Lebanon displaying a full range of brand name products as well as an average of 11 million visitors per year and 97% brand awareness in Lebanon, ABC Group has evolved from being a single retailer to a commercial real estate developer and a franchisee. ABC currently operates 6 retail outlets including 2 flagship department stores in prime locations as well as the first open air mall to meet international standards in the region. The other 4 regional stores are spread throughout Lebanon.