Columbia JCPenny Customers Round-Up for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands

October 27, 2009

100 Percent of Donations from Recent “Round-Up” Program Benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, the JCPenney Store’s Afterschool Fund Partner

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands and JCPenney celebrate Lights On Afterschool

COLUMBIA, SC – October 27, 2009 – Thanks to funds raised through a recent “Round-Up” program at the JCPenney at Columbia area JCPenney stores local children in need will continue to have access to afterschool programming at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, the store’s JCPenney Afterschool Fund partner. JCPenney customers were invited to “round-up” their JCPenney purchases to the nearest whole dollar and donate the difference to local afterschool programs that provide at-risk children access to life-enriching activities that inspire children to be smart, strong and socially responsible.

“With the money raised from the recent ‘Round-Up’ program, even more children can benefit from Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands’ afterschool programs, said Carter Clark, Chief Professional Officer of BGCM. “We appreciate JCPenney’s support as we work towards our goal of providing high-quality afterschool programs that provides academic, physical and social development for children in the Midlands.”

JCPenney’s Round-Up program was held in conjunction with Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s event to celebrate Lights On Afterschool, the largest national Afterschool awareness day with more than 7,500 local events taking place throughout the nation.

As part of Lights On Afterschool this year, JCPenney and the Afterschool Alliance released results from America After 3 PM: A Household Survey on Afterschool in America, the most in-depth study ever done to explore how America’s children spend their afternoons.  Sponsored by the JCPenney Afterschool Fund, a public charity that inspires children to be smart, strong and socially responsible, the study measures progress and includes updated information on afterschool participation nationally and in all 50 states.

The full America After 3 PM report with state summaries are available online at www.jcpenneyafterschool.org.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands
Locally, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands has touched the lives of over 8,000 area children.  Our 31 Clubs see over 3,000 children come through their doors every week.  In these Clubs, our Members find a safe place where they can have fun and be themselves. The Clubs offer activities that highlight five core areas: Character & Leadership Development, Education & Career Development, Health & Life Skills, The Arts and Sports, Fitness & Recreation. Now, more than ever, it is important that every child has the opportunity to learn and grow in a positive atmosphere. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands is making that happen every day, one child at a time.

About The JCPenney Afterschool Fund
The JCPenney Afterschool Fund is a charitable organization committed to providing children in need with access to life-enriching afterschool programs that inspire children to be smart, strong and socially responsible.  To date, JCPenney and the JCPenney Afterschool Fund have contributed more than $80 million to local afterschool programs in every JCPenney community through partnerships with the YMCA of the USA, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, National 4-H and United Way of America. For more information, visit www.jcpenneyafterschool.org for more information.