YCC Yankee Cdle

The Yankee Candle Company, Inc. (NYSE:YCC) today announced the introduction of a new program "Light a Candle for Your Heart" in support of the American Heart Association's national Go Red For Women movement, which was designed to increase women's awareness of heart disease and inspire women to develop heart healthy lives. Yankee Candle, in support of the Go Red movement, will offer a multi-faceted program including in-store, web, and corporate activities planned to help create awareness, raise funds, and encourage volunteerism with local American Heart Association offices. Rick Ruffolo, Senior Vice President of Brand, Marketing, & Innovation for Yankee Candle heartily endorsed Yankee Candle's support of the fight against heart disease in women commenting, "We created this program to help raise awareness and understanding of the important lifestyle decisions each of us can make to improve our heart health such as incorporating exercise, eating right, and even relaxing. The positive benefits of taking a moment to light a candle each day to unwind and help release the stresses of the day cannot be overlooked." Karen Murray, group president, Claiborne Menswear and Special Markets Brands, chair of the American Heart Association's Women and Heart Disease Advisory Group agrees. "The American Heart Association is very pleased to have the support of such a strong and respected brand like Yankee Candle. These valuable relationships with Go Red For Women advance the reach of the movement and enhance the strength of our collective voice to fight heart disease in women. Together we can fight women's No.1 killer and help them love their hearts." A $1.00 donation will be made to the American Heart Association for select red candles purchased at any Yankee Candle store or the Yankee Candle website through March 18, 2006. The red candles symbolize support of the American Heart Association's "Go Red For Women" movement. For more information about the relationship, other activities, or how you can help, please go to either www.yankeecandle.com or www.goredforwomen.org . About The Yankee Candle Company, Inc. The Yankee Candle Company, Inc. is the leading designer, manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer of premium scented candles in the giftware industry. Yankee has a 35 year history of offering distinctive products and marketing them as affordable luxuries and consumable gifts. The Company sells its products through a North American wholesale customer network of approximately 16,400 store locations, a growing base of Company owned and operated retail stores (390 located in 42 states as of December 31, 2005), direct mail catalogs, its Internet website (www.yankeecandle.com), international distributors and to a European wholesale customer network of approximately 2,200 store locations (through its distribution center located in Bristol, England).