Make WYD visible in your life

T-shirts, laptop sleeves, hats, pins, keychains…all on the WYD on-line store

Madrid, March 11, 2011.-Today marks the launch of the online World Youth Day Store (tienda.madrid11.com), which will offer the official WYD merchandise for purchase. There are shirts, hats, laptop cases, computer mice, keychains, a book of testimonies from those who have attended one of the last 25 WYD’s, and more. A total of 40 official products will be gradually placed in stock over the course of the coming months, with prices ranging from 1 to 30 Euros.

“The project of the WYD Online Store came about in answer to the many petitions we received from youth all over the world who are interested in having a souvenir from World Youth Day, whether it be because they will not be able to attend or because they would like to feel a part of the event during the months leading up to it,” explained Ana Merche Muñoz, Manager of the WYD Store. The list of products were thus catered to the preferences expressed by young people in a debate forum on social networks.

The technological firm ACENS has collaborated in the programming of the store, by virtue of its role as patron of the “Madrid Vivo” Foundation, an institution composed of various individuals of social influence and a group of Spain’s leading firms, which actively supports WYD.

The WYD Store works with over 20 Spanish companies and non-profit organizations. Among those collaborating in the production of the merchandise are: a Caritas project designed for socially margianalized women; the John XXIII Foundation which works to improve the quality of life of mentally challenged adults; the Summa Humanitate Foundation; and the NGO “1 kilo de ayuda para la educación” (“1 Kilo of Help for Education”).

More than your average thermos
Among the products of the store, there is one that stands out: the WYD thermos, designed by the NGO “1 kilo de ayuda para la educación”. The profits from the sale of this thermos will go partly towards educational projects for disadvantaged children in Latin America and the other part to the WYD Solidarity Fund. People from every continent will be able to participate in WYD and make it truly a world event.

From Pamplona… to Rome
Information/Vending Points have been requested across Spain, in an effort to raise awareness and funds for World Youth Day. Last weekend, in the pilgrimage which every year attracts thousands of young people to the Castle of Javier (Pamplona), better known as the “Javierada”, World Youth Day Information/Vending Points were set up, featuring the sale of WYD merchandise. Also, on May 1, at the Beatification of John Paul II, the creator of World Youth Day, there will be 15 Information/Vending Points set up around Rome, with over 150 volunteers from Spain and elsewhere from around the world, serving the information needs of WYD.