SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- It has been a year of charity for USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (NYSE: USNA). Since the inception of the USANA True Health Foundation in March, USANA, its employees, its associates and friends of the company have raised more than $3 million in monetary and Usanimals" children's supplement donations, with $2.3 million in monies and vitamins donated to those in need this year.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120308/LA66262LOGO)
"The only way we are able to do so much good is through the generous donations from USANA associates and employees," said USANA True Health Foundation President Elaine Pace . "With sincere gratitude I'm pleased to report that we have surpassed our goal in donations this year. With all the help we've been able to render in eight months, we expect to exceed our donation goal for next year as well."
The USANA True Health Foundation's primary partner for disaster relief is International Relief Teams (IRT). IRT is vigilant in choosing appropriate responses to emergency situations so resources can be effectively leveraged. The Foundation has donated $90,000 to relief efforts through IRT.
"It's been a year racked with sudden tragedy," said USANA True Health Foundation board member David Haynes . "It gives me peace of mind to know that people can count on us to offer assistance in their time of need. Although the Foundation is new, I look forward to a long and meaningful future of making a difference around the world."
Donation Summary
- Disaster relief$50,000 to aid victims of flooding in the Philippines
- Disaster relief$30,000 to support victims of Hurricane Sandy
- Disaster relief$10,000 to help victims of Typhoon Bopha
- Musician supportMusician Chris Collier will donate all proceeds from his hit single to Children's Hunger Fund through the USANA True Health Foundation
- Children's Hunger Fund support (CHF)More than $2.2 million to aid in CHF's mission to improve the lives of poor children and their families through cash and Usanimals donations.
The USANA True Health Foundation fundraising efforts have also made an impact.
At USANA's 20thInternational Convention in August, the Foundation raised a total of $270,000 over the course of the three-day event. $60,000 of that donation was raised from its USANA Champions for Change 5K, where associates and residing Salt Lake residents showed up in superhero costumes and supported the Foundation's cause.
In October, the WTA made a generous donation of $25,000 to the USANA True Health Foundation . USANA and the Women's Tennis Association (WGLF.PK) (WTA) have been longstanding and loyal partners since 2006.
The USANA True Health Foundation has three categories to which anyone can donate: Area of Greatest Need: Immediate Help, Children's Hunger Fund and Sanoviv Medical Assistance.
For more information about the USANA True Health Foundation or to find out how you can donate, please visit USANAfoundation.org.
About USANA True Health Foundation: The USANA True Health Foundation (NYSE: USNA) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created by Dr. Myron Wentz, USANA's founder, and USANA CEO Dave Wentz, to help expand and enhance USANA's on-going charitable efforts. Its mission is to provide the most critical human necessities to those suffering or in need. USANA True Health Foundation has an active partnership with organizations such as HealthCorps and the Children's Hunger Fund , which share the same vision of making the world a happier and healthier place. Learn more at our website (www.USANAfoundation.org), follow us on Twitter (@USANAfoundation), or like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/USANAfoundation).
Media Contact:
Elaine M. Pace, President
USANA True Health Foundation
(801) 954-7200
media(at)us(dot)usana(dot)com
SOURCE USANA Health Sciences, Inc.
USANA receives the distributor's payment of $12.00 and sends a single bottle of Usanimals to the CHF which costs USANA about $2.00 to produce. So USANA pockets the majority of the $12.00 donation. If USANA really wanted to do the ethical thing here, they would send over $12.00 worth of Usanimals which is about 5 or 6 bottles instead of just 1. However, USANA is in business to make money, and that's exactly what they are doing through this charity.
So when USANA claims they raised almost $3,000,000 from Usanimals, about $2,500,000 is probably going in USANA's pocket while only sending over $500,000 worth of Usanimals. Yes, USANA should be thanking their distributors for all those donations.
What USANA does not disclose on their SEC filings is how much of their net revenue is generated from charitable donations like the Usanimals. That would be an interesting number for investors and possibly even the IRS to know.
And since we are on the subject, it should be known that Myron Wentz and Dave Wentz founded USANA as well as Sanoviv. Elaine Pace is president of Sanoviv. Let it also be know that Myron Wentz and Dave Wentz founded the True Health Foundation. Let it be known that Elaine Pace is also president of the True Health Foundation.
You will notice that USANA and their True Health Foundation are asking for donations toward the "Sanoviv Medical Assistance". This is a tax deductible donation. This donation directly benefits Elaine Pace, Myron Wentz, and Dave Wentz financially. I believe this is in violation of "Self Dealing Laws" regarding nonprofit organizations and should be investigated by the IRS.