MARCH 15, 2007 - MILWAUKEE, Wis. - Public Allies (www.publicallies.org), an organization whose mission is to "advance diverse young leaders to strengthen communities, non-profits and civic participation," has been selected as a diversity-focused business beneficiary from sales of "Stinky the Bulldog" (www.stinkythebulldog.com) during the week prior to National Bulldogs are Beautiful Day. One dollar from every book sold at www.stinkythebulldog.com from Saturday, April 21 through Saturday, April 28, 2007 will be donated to the organization to help further its goal to create societal equality.

National Bulldogs are Beautiful Day (www.bulldogsarebeautiful.com) was created by "Stinky the Bulldog" (ISBN: 9-7814208269-7-5 • 36 pages) author, Jackie Valent, as a metaphor to challenge people to accept others who are different.

National Bulldogs are Beautiful Day remembers the welfare of pets as well, as a portion of proceeds from sales of "Stinky the Bulldog" at April 28 events will be donated to the Humane Society-United States (www.hsus.org).

Public Allies, which is represented in communities throughout the United States, was launched in 1992 by two women who set out to prove that stereotypes that labeled young adults as "slackers" and "Generation X" were wrong. In September of that year, Allies launched its first apprenticeship program in Washington D.C., when it placed 15 people ages 18 to 30 in jobs within the city's nonprofit sector. The next year, Chicago began a chapter with 30 Public Allies and was followed by Milwaukee, Raleigh-Durham, Wilmington, Del., San Jose/Silicon Valley, Cincinnati, Los Angeles and New York City. There is a chapter in Taos (in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps) and at Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center in Estes Park, Colo. Public Allies Connecticut opened in 2004, and serves Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven. In 2006, Public Allies launched programs in Arizona, Louisiana and Pittsburgh.

More than 500 diverse young adults have participated in Public Allies programs. Apprenticeships and team service projects have emerged at more than 550 nonprofit organizations throughout the country, and its 30,000 recruited volunteers have served over 300,000 children, adults, and families.

The 52-year-old Humane Society (HSUS) is the United States' largest animal protection organization with more than seven million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs for companion animals, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research, and farm animals. The organization protects all animals through legislation, litigation, investigation, education, advocacy and fieldwork.

"My goal is to share the message of acceptance, whether you talk about a bulldog versus bichon or black versus white," said Valent, who in her full-time job works as a human resources executive at Deloitte & Touche, LLP in Milwaukee. "Our country is a mosaic that communities before us professed, but as a society, we have left many behind regarding their rights as citizens as issues that include color, ethnicity, sexual orientation and even body size have played into prejudices. We are so much more productive when we work together rather than against one another."

A party packet and ideas for hosting your own National Bulldogs are Beautiful Day celebration will be available online at www.bulldogsarebeautiful.com by mid-March.

The story of Stinky the Bulldog
A loveable bulldog in a new neighborhood, Stinky is eager to make friends, but is quickly disappointed when kids crinkle their noses and run away; they don't even know him! Packed with vibrant illustrations, "Stinky the Bulldog" is a touching story that teaches the value of people's differences, and the wonders of true friendship.

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