International Paper Commits to the #fight4literacy As the Presenting Sponsor of Coaching for Literacy's 2020-2021 Season

Memphis, Tenn., January, 6, 2020 /3BL Media/ – International Paper announces its support for childhood literacy by teaming up with Coaching for Literacy and its #Fight4Literacy Games presented by International Paper. This is the fourth year of the partnership, but new for the 2020-2021 season, International Paper is the presenting sponsor of all #Fight4Literacy Games, which take place at collegiate basketball games across the country.  

This season, International Paper Company has committed $200,000 to support literacy efforts, with match challenges up to $5k in particular markets, with a goal to raise an additional $100,000 for childhood literacy programming. 

The #Fight4Literacy presented by International Paper works with college athletic teams, coaches and players to raise awareness about illiteracy and funds for literacy programs in their communities. Coaching staff for teams wear #Green4Literacy ties, lapel pins and wristbands to raise awareness about the issue. Local businesses and fans can support the effort by making donations at pledgeit.org/for/fight-for-literacy2020. 

#Fight4Literacy Games will occur in markets across the country with signature events tied to University of Memphis (1/14), Mississippi State (1/30), Georgia Tech (2/10) and University of South Carolina (2/20). New for 2020-2021, #Fight4Literacy Games will also be held by the Women’s Basketball Teams at the University of Memphis, Mississippi State and South Carolina, as well as the following Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Florida A&M University, LeMoyne-Owen College and North Carolina A&T State University. 

100% of all donations made through #Fight4Literacy Games will be granted to programs in each home team market. Only 34% of third-grade students in the U.S. are reading at grade-level; Coaching for Literacy and International Paper are working with local literacy programs to provide books, resources, tutoring and attention to help change that statistic. 

You can join International Paper and Coaching for Literacy by making a donation per assist at pledgeit.org/for/fight-for-literacy2020 or by supporting a participating business donating proceeds during #Fight4Literacy Week opportunities. 

IMPORTANCE OF LITERACY 

• 66% of American fourth-graders are not reading at grade-level. (National Assessment of Educational Progress)  

• 85% of juveniles in the court system cannot read. (National Assessment of Adult Literacy, U.S. Department of Education)  

• Illiteracy costs the U.S. at least $225 billion annually in non-productivity among the workforce, crime and loss of tax revenue. (National Council for Adult Learning, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor)  

ABOUT COACHING FOR LITERACY

 Thanks to the support of its partners and Americans nationwide, Coaching for Literacy has conducted over 150 #Fight4Literacy Games with more than 70 NCAA teams. Their work generates crucial awareness and has provided over $375,000 to fund over 118 literacy projects supporting more than 20,000 children nationwide. The mission of Coaching for Literacy is to use the power of sports to raise awareness about the problem of illiteracy and generate financial support for literacy programs nationwide.  

To learn more about how you can make a difference for literacy efforts in your community, visit coachingforliteracy.org.  

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL PAPER  

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper products with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa and Russia. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable worldwide commerce; pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal hygiene products that promote health and wellness; and papers that facilitate education and communication. We are headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., employ more than 50,000 colleagues and serve more than 25,000 customers in 150 countries. Net sales for 2019 were $22 billion. 

International Paper embraces the opportunity to address critical needs in the communities where our employees live and work. Funding priority is given to programs related to our signature causes: education, hunger, health & wellness, disaster relief and initiatives that improve our planet. For more information about International Paper, our products and global citizenship efforts, please visit internationalpaper.com.

For Immediate Contact:  

Coaching for Literacy - Chandler Ferguson - chandler@coachingforliteracy.org - 762.338.1224