Philanthropists with a bit of the wild ones in them gathered at Nordstrom in Austin's Barton Creek Square Mall on October 22 to kick off a unique fundraising event: the first everKiehl’s Texas Run for TWO x TWO, an extension of Kiehl’s LifeRide, a charitable motorcycle ride in its fourth year that has to date raised more than $500,000 for amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research.
With the mission to heighten awareness and raise funds for amfAR in the Texas market, the inaugural Kiehl’s Texas Run was a four-stop, five-day, charity motorcycle ride across the state of Texas, led by Kiehl’s USA President Chris Salgardo.
Guests a the Austin kickoff celebration for the Texas Run were decked in mustaches, motorcycle jackets and a touch of red and treated to skin care consultations, minifacials and refreshments.
In addition to Salgardo, riders included amfAR and Foundation for AIDS Research CEO and native Texan Kevin Robert Frost, contemporary British artist Conrad Leach andcelebrity and rock 'n' roll photographer Travis Shinn made the ride, which had stops in Austin, Houston, Longview and Dallas.
To get everyone's motors running, Kiehl's invited riders, fans and well-wishers to a kickoff celebration at the Barton Creek Nordstrom, where attendees decked in mustaches, motorcycle jackets and a touch of red were treated to complimentary skin care consultations, mini-facials and refreshments.
Austin's Tim Lopez, the guitarist and vocalist for multi-platinum-selling band Plain White T’s who was also recently featured in NBC reality show Ready For Love, hosted the event. Guests got sneak peek at the video for Plain White T’s new single, "The Giving Tree," a song written by Lopez that will be on the band's upcoming release, American Nights. Lopez, and advid motorcyclist, rode the Austin-to-Houston leg of the trip.
Kiehl's, a longtime supporter of HIV/AIDS-related philanthropy, supported the cause through the TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art program, which has raised more than $40 million in support of essential AIDS research at amfAR and for the Contemporary Art Acquisitions Fund at the Dallas Museum of Art.
The cosmetics company recently released a new product, Kiehl’s Limited Edition Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, and will donate 100% its net profits from its sale of the product, up to $50,000 to TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art. Customers can continue to support the cause when they purchase the hand salve, which has a distinctive red cap.
At October's Nordstrom kickoff, Kiehl’s President Chris Salgardo, who subsequently led his crew to Dallas and presented a check for $50,000 to amFAR, was honored with the TWO X TWO 2013 Leadership Award for his work in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Kiehl's event samples
