Lenovo signs on as lead sponsor of Carolina Hope Festival

Raleigh-based computer maker supports music festival benefiting entrepreneurial solutions to poverty and AIDS in Africa.


RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, September 27, 2006 – Carolina Hope, a nonprofit organization based in Chapel Hill, NC that seeks to respond to epidemics of poverty and disease around the world, announced today that Lenovo Computer has agreed to be the lead sponsor of the 2006 Carolina Hope Festival to take place at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary on October 1.

The festival, featuring performances by national touring acts including Indigo Girls, Aimee Mann, and Caedmon’s Call as well as local favorites Roman Candle and Thad Cockrell, will benefit Beacon of Hope in Nairobi, Kenya.

Beacon of Hope provides women and children in poor communities with medical help, counseling, education, and day care, but most importantly gives them hope by teaching them skills they can use to earn a living and build their self-respect.

“We are excited that a multi-national corporation like Lenovo is helping us bring hope to these women and children,” said Dr. James Thomas, chairman of Carolina Hope and professor of Epidemiology at the University of North Carolina. “Lenovo’s vision for social investments is inspiring, and we know that their participation will make the festival more successful"

Lenovo will provide volunteers, notebook computers, and wireless internet connections for attendees on the day of the festival to help the day run smoothly and create a better experience. Lenovo is supporting Carolina Hope Festival as part of its “Hope through Entrepreneurship” program, which helps entrepreneurs build business-oriented solutions to large global problems.

“We believe that encouraging entrepreneurship and economic development is crucial to solving global problems,” said Bill Stevenson, Manager of Corporate Social Investments at Lenovo. “Carolina Hope Festival and their work with Beacon of Hope is a great example of the philanthropic endeavors we want to pursue; transforming lives and communities through sustainable, business-oriented organizations.”


About Lenovo Group Ltd. (www.lenovo.com)
Lenovo, with executive headquarters in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, is the third largest PC-maker in the world.

About Carolina Hope (www.carolinahope.org)
Carolina Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Chapel Hill, NC that seeks to respond to epidemics of poverty and disease around the world.

Contact Information

Marcel Goldstein

Senior Vice President

Ogilvy Public Relations

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