The UPS Store and Toys for Tots Share the Joy of Reading This Holiday Season
Vote for Your Favorite Scholastic Classic and The UPS Store will send that same title to Toys for Tots for a less fortunate child
SAN DIEGO, December 12, 2013 /3BL Media/ -- Yesterday The UPS Store(R) launched Vote for Your Favorite Scholastic Classic, aimed to raise literacy awareness and support for the Toys for Tots Literacy Program, an effort dedicated to providing our nation's most economically disadvantaged children the ability to compete academically and succeed in life.
Through Dec. 20, people can visit the Toys for Tots Facebook page to vote for their favorite of six classic childhood titles from Scholastic - The Secret Garden, Make Way for Ducklings, Charlotte's Web, Stone Soup, The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Three Little Pigs. For every vote, The UPS Store will purchase that same book for a child in need, up to $10,000 worth of books.
According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, over 16 million children in the United States live below the federal poverty level. The unfortunate reality is that access to books is scarce for children growing up in poverty. Handbook of Early Literacy Research reports in low-income neighborhoods, there is just one children's book in the community for every 300 children. One of the keys to unlocking the door to a brighter and more prosperous future for these children is better access to reading materials.
"Our nation's less fortunate children deserve the resources to break the cycle of poverty through literacy and education," said LtGen Pete Osman, USMC (Ret), President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "This effort is a fun, easy way for our supporters to make a lasting impact on children in need, even after the holidays are over."
Participating The UPS Storelocations across the U.S. accept donations to benefit the Toys for Tots Literacy Program, a year-round initiative of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Every dollar donated helps purchase books for less fortunate children in local communities throughout the U.S.
"The UPS Store customers have raised over $2 million for The Toys for Tots Literacy Program over the course of our seven year partnership," said Tim Davis, president of The UPS Store, Inc. "We are proud of the impact we have made in supporting youth in need."
In addition to donating in-store, customers can go to The UPS Store Facebook page to make a donation directly to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and learn more about the Toys for Tots Literacy Program.
For more information on the Toys for Tots Literacy Program, please visit www.toysfortots.org/literacy . To find The UPS Store location nearest you, visit www.theupsstore.com .
About the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not for profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Now in its 66th year, Toys for Tots provides joy and a message of hope to less fortunate children through the gift of a new toy or book during the Christmas holiday season. Our gifts offer these children hope, recognition, and a positive memory they will cherish for a lifetime. Many of the books, games, and sports equipment that we provide as gifts make a significant contribution to the educational, social and physical development of these children. In 2012, Marines distributed toys to more than 7.1 million children who might not have otherwise experienced the magic of the Christmas holiday season.
About The UPS Store
With more than 4,300 locations, The UPS Store network comprises the nation's largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal, print and business service centers. The UPS Store locations in the U.S. are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of The UPS Store, Inc., a subsidiary of UPS. Services, pricing and hours of operation may vary by location. For additional information on The UPS Store, visit www.theupsstore.com . For information on franchise opportunities for opening a The UPS Store location, visit www.theupsstorefranchise.com .
Follow The UPS Store on Twitter at @TheUPSStore and like The UPS Store on Facebook at facebook.com/theupsstore.
Contact:
The UPS Store, Inc.
Chelsea Lee
858-455-8982
Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
Misti Dragano
410-263-5312
