Six New Zealand charities are to share in $100,000 thanks to the Newman's Own Foundation.

Paul Newman was committed to helping make the world a better place. To carry on his philanthropic legacy, Newman's Own Foundation has announced the beneficiaries of their 2009 philanthropic campaign. The annual campaign is a further example of the generous legacy left by Paul Newman, who died at the end of last year.

The successful beneficiaries are;

* Cholmondeley Children's Home, Christchurch ($19,400)

* Otago Children's Autism Support, Dunedin ($9,700)

* Palmerston North Methodist Social Services, Palmerston North ($27,700)

* Special Needs Educational Resource Library, Whangarei ($19,400)

* Totara Park Riding for the Disabled, Auckland ($9,700)

* Wellington Women's Refuge, Wellington ($19,400)

The awarded funds will be used to assist with a variety of individual projects from helping children of poverty, neglect and addiction, to children with special needs, and women and children living with domestic violence.

Newman's Own Foundation representative, Sue Home said, "It is gratifying to note the diversity of causes and the geographic spread of these 2009 grants. Charities from Whangarei to Dunedin and many centres in between, are about to embark on exciting projects - thanks to Newman's Own Foundation."

This year's donations to community-based charities across New Zealand and Australia have brought the total funding to more than $14 million since the first Paul Newman's Own products were sold on supermarket shelves 26 years ago. To date, Paul Newman and Newman's Own Foundation have donated over $379 million to thousands of charities around the world and is a powerful and lasting expression of Paul Newman's generosity.

Who knew that a bottle of salad dressing could, in turn, forever change the lives of thousands in need around the world. That's mighty potent (and tasty!) stuff.*