Online Retail Gift Site Commemorates the Spirit of Giving

April 21, 2005. New York, NY…Event marketing and consulting firm, Marketing Pros, launches new online specialty gift shop to service consumers and corporate clientele. Ruth and Ivy’s Specialty Shoppe (www.ruthandivy.com) provides premiere gourmet gift baskets, novelty gifts, flowers and baked goods. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each basket goes to select charities around the globe.

Ruth & Ivy is named after Ruth Fuller and Ivy Hoffman – two sisters who gave to others throughout their lives. Ruth immigrated to America from Jamaica, W.I. to obtain a better life for her family. Her sacrifice and generosity through sponsorships, educational funding and goodwill created opportunities for a whole generation of family members in America. Ivy dedicated her life to helping abused and homeless children in Jamaica in her own home - never turning one away. Ivy died at the age of 80 in February 2004. Ruth is now 78 years old suffering from Alzheimer disease.

Each sale from Ruth and Ivy’s online gift shop will benefit a select group of charities chosen by the founders. The “charity of the month” will be posted on the website. 2% of proceeds earned from each sale will be donated.

“Our goal is to create wonderful opportunities for gift-giving to friends, family and co-workers while helping out great causes. When you purchase a gift from Ruth & Ivy, you know that you are also helping someone else in need,” says Sonia McFarlane, General Manager. “As a small woman-owned business, we wanted to commemorate our matriarchs, Ruth & Ivy, for their sacrifices which gave all of our family members the ultimate gift – opportunity. In turn, we hope to provide opportunities for other people through our personal donations.”

Ruth & Ivy plans to add a Kids Collection and expand their Healthy Choices line in September 2005. You can visit www.ruthandivy.com to purchase a basket and view a list of charities.

About Ruth & Ivy
Ruth & Ivy’s Specialty Shoppe is an internet marketer of unique flowers, gifts, and baked goods. We provide consumers and corporate clientele with a variety of splendid hand selected gift baskets, novelties and beautiful floral arrangements for holidays and other occasions. Our selections combine originality, style, value and most of all, quality. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each basket benefits select charities around the globe. Ruth and Ivy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marketing Pros.

About Marketing Pros
Marketing Pros is a cutting-edge marketing and event planning firm that can help your organization maximize opportunities to build brand awareness, improve customer loyalty and generate revenue for your product or service. Marketing Pros provides comprehensive marketing communication, event staging and talent management and booking services with additional capabilities in partnership marketing and fundraising initiatives. Marketing Pros has produced the ID indie music conferences, Cornucopia, festivals, seminars and workshops across the United States. Marketing Pros holdings also include the Ruth & Ivy Specialty Shoppe and Black Family Magazine. Visit www.marketingpros.net.

Contact Information

Sonia McFarlane

VP, Publicity and Marketing

Ruth and Ivy Specialty Shoppe

Contact via E-mail