Montblanc, Departures selects honorees for Great Characters program

Germany’s Montblanc has announced the honorees of its joint philanthropic venture with Departures magazine, “Great Characters.”

In the fall of 2014, readers of Departures were encouraged to nominate a charitable individual by submitting a short essay explaining the candidate's qualifications and which causes they support. Given Departures’ affluent readership, its core readers likely knew many philanthropic supporters and may have even consider themselves as a nominee (see story).

Character and cause
On May 19 Montblanc announced the nine honorees selected for the Great Characters campaign.

The nine individuals were selected for their “passion for giving back to their communities” in ways that are both “illuminating and inspiring.” The list is as follows:

· Adam Braun, Pencils of Promise, New York

· Kristin Connor, Cure Childhood Cancer, Atlanta

· Stephen P. Cushman, Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital, San Diego

· Bill Greehey, Greehey Family Foundation, San Antonio, TX

· Zachary Haroutunian, The Celebrity Series of Boston, Boston

· Dr. Florence Jameson, Volunteers in Medicine, Las Vegas, NV

· Mark Kaufman, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Chicago

· Lee Klein, Children's Cancer Caring Center, Miami

· James Ziolkowski, buildOn, New York

Montblanc will celebrate the nine honored philanthropists through the course of the year with a private fundraising reception at a regional Montblanc storefront. The proceeds from the reception will be donated to regional charity of that honoree’s selection.

In addition, Montblanc will gift each honoree with a limited-edition Patron of Art Edition Henry E. Steinway fountain pen.

Montblanc's limited-edition Patron of Art Edition Henry E. Steinway

Also, Departures will run special vignettes, housed on its Web site, dedicated to each of the honorees and the causes they support.

In a statement, Mike Giannattasio, president and CEO of Montblanc North America, said, “Great Characters represents one of the most ambitious and dedicated philanthropic endeavors in the United States for Montblanc to date. By sharing the stories from our Great Character honorees, we’re hoping to ignite the philanthropic flame within all those who can contribute meaningfully to their communities.”

To further the program’s reach, Montblanc has created the Bespoke 25 collection, a series of limited-edition pieces that “embody the maison’s dedication to meticulous craftsmanship and extraordinary philanthropy.”

The collection was curated in collaboration with Departures and includes writing instruments, timepieces, jewelry and leather goods. Bespoke 25 will be on display during the regional fundraising events, with proceeds of purchased items being donated to the Great Character honoree’s choice charity.