Lenovo has announced plans for a global online philanthropic auction that will feature limited-edition notebook computers inspired by the Lenovo-designed 2008 Olympic Torch.
"We are delighted to have the opportunity to take our design for the Cloud of Promise even further," said Yao Yingjia, director of Lenovo's Innovation Design Center and leader of the team that designed the torch that will travel the world in the Olympic Torch Relay leading up to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. "The cloud motif that makes the torch so distinctive is associated with humanistic, benevolent ideals. In this spirit, and in the Olympic spirit of internationalism and cooperation, it is fitting that these notebooks should be used to raise money for noble causes. Lenovo is gratified to see that our beautiful design is being used for beautiful purposes."
To mark the six month countdown to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, a series of back-to-back, week-long auctions will begin on February 8, 2008, and conclude just prior to the Olympic Games. Each week, a "Cloud of Promise"-themed notebook PC will be available for bidding during a seven-day period. Several of these limited-edition notebook PCs will be autographed by athlete ambassadors – Lenovo Champions – offering fans the chance to bid on the opportunity to own a part of Olympic history.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from the auction of the Olympic Torch-branded notebooks will be distributed through the Lenovo Hope Fund to select philanthropies, including Right to Play. In the spirit of Lenovo's sponsorship of the Olympic Games, the program will concentrate on microfinance, small- and medium-enterprise development and bringing sports to communities of children. The auction will take place at lenovohopefundauctions.com.
In addition to autographing Lenovo notebook PCs for the charitable auction, Lenovo Athlete Champions will participate in various activities in their home countries and on-site at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in support of Lenovo's sponsorship of the Games.
"As a global company, we are excited to be joined by champion athletes from all over the world to honor the spirit of the Olympic Games and mark our participation as a TOP sponsor of the Olympic Games and Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay," said Alice Li, vice president, Olympic Marketing. "These first-in-class athletes and their participation in the Lenovo Athlete Champions program are shining examples of the multicultural, collaborative and competitive spirit that we at Lenovo embrace in all we do. We look forward to working with each of them to spread the goodwill that is the essence of the Olympic Games."
