PEEPS: Buy a Bunny, Give a Bunny

Just Born Gives Back with "Buy a Bunny, Give a Bunny"

Partnership with Starlight Children's Foundation to Benefit Children and Families at Easter

BETHLEHEM, Pa., March 19, 2015 -- With spring around the corner, the retail arm of Just Born Quality Confections, makers of PEEPS®, MIKE AND IKE®, HOT TAMALES® and GOLDENBERG'S® PEANUT CHEWS® Brand candies, has announced a partnership with BAMKO, a global sourcing company focused on providing safe ethically made products. Just Born, together with BAMKO, will donate PEEPS® plush bunnies to Starlight Children's Foundation, a leading global charity that partners with experts to improve the life and health of kids and families around the world, for every PEEPS® plush purchased now through March 31.

"Just Born is accustomed to bringing smiles to the faces of families, but now we are so excited to help bring much-needed smiles to the faces of children undergoing medical treatments through our partnership with Starlight Children's Foundation," said Kimberly Stiele, Managing Director at Just Born. "As a company with a large focus on families and giving back to the community, Starlight Children's Foundation is an ideal partner as their programs truly bring happiness and help to children who need it."

On March 20, the first day of spring, PEEPS & COMPANY® will encourage fans to give themselves or friends "bunny ears" and upload the picture to social media with the hashtag #GiveABunny. For every picture posted using the hashtag, Just Born will donate an additional plush bunny to the Starlight Children's Foundation.

The "Buy a Bunny, Give a Bunny" program is hopping into the PEEPS & COMPANY® online store and three brick and mortar locations at Bethlehem, PA, National Harbor, MD, and Mall of America, MN, as well as into select partner retail stores.

Donations per purchase are as follows:

  • Five-inch plush = one plush bunny donated
  • Nine-inch plush = two plush bunnies donated
  • Sixteen-inch plush = three plush bunnies donated
  • Giant plush = five plush bunnies donated

"We're so pleased to partner with Just Born and BAMKO in delivering iconic PEEPS® plush to pediatric patients in local communities throughout the country," said Jacquie Hart, Starlight Global CEO. "Working with our network of hospitals, clinics and camps that serve more than 26 million children each year, Starlight is committed to providing comfort and care through partnerships like this in support of hundreds of pediatric facilities around the nation. Just Born and BAMKO are helping to bring springtime smiles to kids at a time they need it most."

For more information about Starlight Children's Foundation, visit www.starlight.org and for a complete listing of plush products and available colors, visit www.peepsandcompany.com. In addition to www.peepsandcompany.com, PEEPS® fans can buy plush items as part of this program at retailers including Dylan's Candy Bar, Candy.com, A&P, Pathmark, Waldbaums and Superfresh Supermarkets.

About Just Born Quality Confections' retail arm:
The Just Born Retail Group creates products that shoppers of all ages will love, featuring all of their favorite Just Born brands including PEEPS®, HOT TAMALES®, MIKE AND IKE® and GOLDENBERG'S® PEANUT CHEWS®. In addition to great tasting candy, Just Born offers an array of high-quality branded items such as apparel, accessories and gifts. Visit the PEEPS & COMPANY® online store or one of three retail stores located in Bethlehem, PA, National Harbor, MD and the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN. Just Born branded products can also be found at retailers nationwide, including in popular candy and toy chain stores.

About BAMKO:
At BAMKO, we pride ourselves on being one of the most energetic and unique promotional item companies around! Since BAMKO's foundation in 1999, we have expanded our product catalog to offer our customers millions of promotional products and provide a single source to locate, design, order, and track promotional items online. Currently, we offer a large selection of instantly customizable promotional items for marketing, sales, and event planning professions.

About Starlight Children's Foundation:
Founded in 1982, Starlight Children's Foundation is a leading global charity that partners with experts to improve the life and health of kids and families around the world. Collaborating with innovators in pediatric healthcare, entertainment and technology, Starlight provides a unique blend of family-centered programs and services from hospital to home. Starlight partners with more than 1,750 healthcare facilities and pediatric hospitals in Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, serving millions of children every year. To learn more, visit www.starlight.org, or follow us on Facebook at /StarlightChildrensFoundation and on Twitter @StarlightOnline.