More Than 1600 Schools Across the Country Invited to Participate in National Coat Drive

(3BLMedia/theCSRfeed) September 15, 2010 - The nonprofit One Warm Coat (OWC) has partnered with P.S. from Aéropostale, the kid retailer to create the first annual 1 Warm Kid campaign, a coat drive that will run from October 11th through the 31^st at P.S. from Aéropostale store locations in conjunction with local schools and the general public.

The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness of the growing numbers of families living in poverty and to collect as many coats as possible, all of which will be donated to agencies that will distribute them to families in need. P.S. from Aéropostale will match every coat donated with a brand new coat: Up to 100,000 coats.

“Right now there are one in five kids living in poverty in the United States,” says One Warm Coat President Sherri Lewis Wood. “We know that school kids can be a powerful force in community service. This campaign provides them with an opportunity that is easy to implement AND will have an immediate impact in their own community.”

Participating schools will receive a (free) 1 Warm Kid School Kit which includes flyers to promote the drive and “thank you” coupons and stickers for the kids who donate a coat. A pdf version of the posters will be available on the P.S. from Aéropostale 1 Warm Kid site as well as an e-book on How to Organize a coat drive.

“1 Warm Kid shows the heart and spirit of the P.S. from Aéropostale brand,” says Quinn Solomon, Director of Public Relations of Aéropostale. “By partnering with our customers, One Warm Coat and local communities, we will shed light on a serious issue and help kids in need.”

The school that donates the most coats will win $5,000 and a party in their school. The coat drive organizer will also receive a $250 gift certificate to the retail store. The school that comes in second place will win $3,000; third place will receive $1,000.

This year marks a significant expansion of the partnership between One Warm Coat (OWC) and Aéropostale. Last year OWC helped with the distribution of 100,000 new teen coats donated by the retail store.

“I think 1 Warm Kid serves as a great example of how cause marketing relationships can mature and improve between the non-profit and the sponsor,” says Wood. “We are always looking for creative ways to partner with our sponsors so that as many people as possible can get the coats they need.”

For more information and to learn how your school can participate, please contact 1warmkid@onewarmcoat.org.

About One Warm Coat

One Warm Coat® is an independent nongovernmental organization that provides tools and resources to help volunteers in the collection of clean, reusable coats for donation to individuals. Our dream is that One Warm Coat® becomes a part of the American lifestyle. When a coat is no longer needed, people will think of One Warm Coat®. They will make their donation knowing that children, women and men in need will receive a gift of a warm coat. Please visit onewarmcoat.org for more information.

About Aéropostale, Inc.

Aéropostale, Inc. is a mall-based, specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories, principally targeting 14 to 17 year-old young women and men through its Aéropostale® stores and 7 to 12 year-old kids through its P.S. from Aéropostale® stores. The Company provides customers with a focused selection of high-quality, active-oriented, fashion and fashion basic merchandise at compelling values. Aéropostale® maintains control over its proprietary brands by designing, sourcing, marketing and selling all of its own merchandise. Aéropostale® products can only be purchased in its Aéropostale stores and online at www.aeropostale.com. P.S. from Aéropostale® products can be purchased in P.S. from Aéropostale® stores and online at www.ps4u.com. The Company currently operates 904 Aéropostale® stores in 49 states and Puerto Rico, 47 Aéropostale® stores in Canada and 38 P.S. from Aéropostale® stores in 12 states.

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