JCPenney Round Up to Benefit Boys and Girls Clubs of the Midlands
May 19, 2009
100 Percent of Donations from Recent “Round-Up” Program Benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, a JCPenney Afterschool Fund Partner
COLUMBA, SC – May 11, 2009 – Thanks to funds raised through a recent “Round-Up” program at the JCPenney in Columbia, even more local children will have access to after school programming with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, a JCPenney Afterschool Fund partner. JCPenney customers were recently invited to “round-up” their JCPenney purchases to the nearest whole dollar and donate the difference to the JCPenney Afterschool Fund, a public charity that provides at-risk children access to life-enriching after school programs that inspire children to be smart, strong and socially responsible.
“Thanks to JCPenney and community members that cared enough to shop with them and donate to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, our before and after-school programs at 29 Clubs in the Midlands will benefit,” said Carter Clark, Chief Professional Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands.
With the $2,000 raised from the Columbia JCPenney’s recent “Round-Up” program, children can enjoy Boys & Girls Clubs of America after school programming, which includes a lineup of tested and proved nationally recognized programs that address today’s most pressing youth issues, teaching young people the skills they need to succeed.
Studies show that 14.3 million children in the United States are unsupervised after school between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. each day. Additionally, studies show that youth are at greater risk of involvement in crime, drug abuse and other destructive behaviors during these hours. To address this issue, JCPenney created the JCPenney Afterschool Fund in 2001, and together they have contributed more than $70 million to support the after school cause nationwide, giving tens of thousands of children the opportunity to participate in essential after school programs. The JCPenney Afterschool Fund continues working toward the day when all children in America will have access to life-changing after school programs that help them reach their full potential.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands
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 29 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 after school programs that inspire children to be smart, strong and socially responsible. To date, JCPenney and the JCPenney Afterschool Fund have contributed more than $70 million to local after school 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.
For further information contact:
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands
Katie Alice Cox, 803-227-0914, [email protected]
JCPenney
Kate Parkhouse, 972-431-3400, [email protected]
