Lindt Teams up With Toni Braxton to Launch Second Lindt Gold Bunny Celebrity Auction

STRATHAM, N.H., March 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, premium Swiss chocolatier Lindt USA, celebrates the launch of the second Lindt Gold Bunny Celebrity Auction.  Through April 9, 2011, Lindt is offering collectors and fans the chance to bid on any of 85 specially autographed, porcelain Lindt Gold Bunny figures by visiting www.ebay.com/LindtGoldBunny – with 100 percent of auction proceeds benefitting Autism Speaks.  To kick off the auction, Lindt has teamed up with six-time Grammy Award winning singer and mother of two, Toni Braxton.  Braxton and representatives from Lindt and Autism Speaks are joining together in New York today to officially open bidding for this year's Lindt Gold Bunny Celebrity Auction.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110330/NE73826 )

"As a mother of a son with autism, this is a cause that I am very passionate about," said Braxton.  "I'm excited to be a part of the Lindt Gold Bunny Celebrity Auction, and honored to have the opportunity to help raise funds and awareness for Autism Speaks."

Braxton, along with 84 other celebrity friends in the entertainment, food, music and sports industries have lent their signatures to the cause.  Participating celebrities:

"We at Lindt USA are extremely excited to launch the second Lindt Gold Bunny Celebrity Auction, with 85 unique, celebrity-signed bunnies," said Thomas Linemayr, president and CEO of Lindt USA.  "We're grateful to all of the participating celebrities for their support in raising awareness and funds for the autism cause, and thrilled to have Toni Braxton with us to celebrate the official auction kick-off."

For the past three years, Lindt has partnered with Autism Speaks during the Easter season to raise funds and awareness to support those affected by autism.  Select signed porcelain Lindt Gold Bunnies will be on display at The New York Palace through April 3, 2011.  In addition, Lindt is supporting Autism Speaks again this Easter season with a 10 cent donation from all Lindt Gold Bunny purchases*, and a $1 donation for every free e-card sent from LindtGoldBunny.com.  For more information or to send an Easter e-card, visit www.LindtGoldBunny.com.  Lindt will also be providing up-to-date information about the auction and Lindt Gold Bunny throughout the Easter season on the Lindt Facebook page (Facebook.com/LindtChocolate) and Twitter handle (@Lindt_Chocolate).

About Lindt & Sprungli

Founded in 1845, Lindt & Sprungli is a global leader in the premium chocolate category, offering high-quality products in more than 100 countries.  Lindt & Sprungli operates eight production facilities in Europe and the United States and employs 7,400 worldwide.  Lindt USA operates more than 40 retail stores in the U.S. and maintains wide distribution through extensive retail and wholesale channels.  For more information on Lindt, visit www.Lindt.com.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is North America's largest autism science and advocacy organization. Since its inception in 2005, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $160 million to research through 2014 and developing innovative new resources for families. The organization is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. In addition to funding research, Autism Speaks has created resources and programs including the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network, Autism Speaks' Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and several other scientific and clinical programs. Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, which Autism Speaks celebrates through its Light it Up Blue initiative. Also, Autism Speaks award-winning "Learn the Signs" campaign with the Ad Council has received over $258 million in donated media. Autism Speaks' family resources include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a School Community Tool Kit and a community grant program. Autism Speaks has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the government's response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to cover behavioral treatments in 23 states thus far, with bills pending in an additional 14 states. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 80 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.

*Lindt will donate 10 cents to Autism Speaks for every Lindt Gold Bunny purchased from February 15 – April 24, 2011, up to $100,000

SOURCE Lindt USA

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