Kudos to the Dynegy Foundation for coming up with a warm, fuzzy and funny approach to charity that will be self-sustaining and can’t help but create good vibes for parent Dynegy Inc.

Dynegy’s Bunky Bunny, introduced by the Dynegy Foundation Thursday, is the star character in a line of educational products designed to benefit children’s charitable organizations. The new product line, named Dare to Care, provides children with value-oriented instruction while generating funds for children’s charities. The Dynegy Foundation’s innovative approach to philanthropy uses the product sales to expand and stabilize the foundation’s support of charities.

Make your day! View Dynegy’s lop-eared Bunky Bunny, complete with a carrot backpack and musical accompaniment, at www.dynegydaretocare.com.

It was a new role for Dynegy Chairman Chuck Watson, who introduced the approach, saying Dynegy’s objective “is to create a new model for corporate philanthropy through creative approaches to supporting non-profits and agencies. The Dare to Care product sales accomplish two important goals of the Dynegy Foundation: We will raise funds for not-for-profit agencies that focus on children’s health, safety and educational needs; and the books and toys communicate and promote positive social values in a fun and compelling way.”

The first feature book, Dare to Care, is written by noted children’s author Sylvia Clare Pennywell and illustrated by Limb Designs. The line also includes a companion musical CD, a coloring book, a sterling silver cuff bracelet and stuffed animals. The book and CD provide parents with the tools to help them talk to their children about difficult subjects, such as homelessness, violence and environmental degradation.

Dare to Care products are available for purchase after April 1 on the web at www.dynegydaretocare.com. Internet purchasers will have the option of selecting from a group of charitable organizations to receive a portion of the sales’ proceeds.

The Dare to Care products are being launched at the Children’s Collection, a Houston specialty retailer, in partnership with the Children’s Assessment Center, among other non-profits. The U.S. roll out will replicate the funding model, where 50% of all Dare to Care products sold at a local retailer will benefit a charitable partner, with the remaining proceeds benefiting other children’s charities. The rollout will continue in Dallas, Atlanta and New York.

Non-profit agencies and charities across America are invited to participate in the effort to touch the lives of children with the Dare to Care product line. Organizations which want to get involved can contact Sara Speer Selber at (713) 507-6704 or idaretocare@dynegy.com. The Dynegy Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit organization founded to improve the quality of life for children throughout the world, was established in 2001.

Given the energy industry’s tarnished image in the wake of the Enron debacle, Dynegy’s new initiative, which puts it in touch with the general public on a very basic level — even better than a stadium — could not have come at a better time.

©Copyright 2002 Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. The preceding news report may not be republished or redistributed, in whole or in part, in any form, without prior written consent of Intelligence Press, Inc.