The Bluebird Patch

    Helping Refugees, IKEA Foundation and UNHCR Provide Sustainable Lighting and Access to Primary Education The Brighter Lives for Refugees campaign returns to make a difference and create a better everyday life for the many refugees living around the world. Starting February 1 and running till March 28, 2015, for every LED light bulb purchased in IKEA stores, the IKEA Foundation will donate one euro ($1.16 *) to help UNHCR light refugee camps— making them a safer, more suitable place for the families who live there. In its first year (2014), the Brighter Lives for Refugees campaign, raised $10.6 million (€7.7 million**) globally, and the US alone raised over $570,000 through IKEA co-worker and customer support. Today there are almost 13 million refugees *** under UNHCR’s care, half of whom are children. For those refugees living in camps, all livelihoods, social and educational activities usually stop after sundown, beca...

IKEA Foundation  has announced the launch of a new good cause campaign, 'Brighter Lives for Refugees', that will run in IKEA stores globally from  February 3 to March 29, 2014.    For every LEDARE (LED light bulb) sold during the campaign, the IKEA Foundation will donate $1.00 ) to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR).  Funds raised by the campaign will help to provide much needed solar street lights, indoor solar lanterns, other renewable energy technologies and fuel efficient cooking stoves in UNHCR refugee camps in various countries including  Ethiopia ,  Chad ,  Bangladesh  and  Jordan . "Today, there are nearly 10.5 million refugees globally, around half of which are children. Some refugees have no choice but to live in refugee camps, where a lack of light after sunset can have a devastating effect on safety and security," says  Kerri Molinaro , President of IKEA Canada.