“Round-up” SPRING PURCHASES FOR LoCAL BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
SANTA CLARITA (March 22, 2010) – From March 24 - April 6, shoppers at the JCPenney at Westfield Valencia Town Center are invited to “round-up” their purchases to the nearest whole dollar and donate the difference to the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley to support quality afterschool programs in their community. JCPenney has partnered with the Club to provide children in need with access to life-enriching afterschool programs that foster their academic, physical and social development.
“The availability of affordable afterschool programs continues to be an important community objective in order to meet the needs of working families,” said Jim Ventress, chief professional officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley. “As customers shop for the Easter season, we hope they will keep our mission in mind by rounding-up their purchases to benefit a local cause.” All funds raised from JCPenney’s “Round-up” campaign will make it possible for more local youth to participate in the Club’s afterschool programming, which includes career and leadership development, healthy life choices, and fitness.
Recent studies show that more than a quarter of America’s school children are on their own between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. each day.* More parents seek the resources to enroll their children in a beneficial afterschool program that help kids develop social skills, provide opportunities to be physically active and achieve academic success in school. JCPenney’s continuing support and commitment to the afterschool cause and has made it possible more children to participate in positive afterschool environments nationwide.
About the Boys & Girls Club
The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley is a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, an organization with more than 4,000 clubs nationwide. The local Club was formed by a group of community leaders who recognized the need for high-quality programs and facilities at affordable costs for area young people. The Club now serves more than 2,700 youth, ages 7-17, at facilities in Newhall, Canyon Country and Val Verde. Programs engage members in education and career exploration, the arts, sports, recreation and fitness, character and leadership development, and healthy life choices. For more information, visit http://www.scvbgc.org/.
About JCPenney’s Commitment to Afterschool
As the leading corporate advocate for the afterschool issue, JCPenney works to increase opportunities offered by afterschool programs in order to empower our nation’s children with the tools they need to succeed in life. Through its legacy of supporting youth and charitable organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, YMCA of the USA, National 4-H, United Way and FIRST, JCPenney formalized its commitment to the afterschool issue by making it the Company’s signature cause in 1999. Since its inception, more than $80 million has been distributed to afterschool programs in every JCPenney community thereby making it possible for more kids to participate in life-enriching programs that inspire them to be smart, strong and socially responsible. For more information, visit http://www.jcpenneyafterschool.org.
* Data from Afterschool Alliance 2009 report America After 3PM, commissioned by JCPenney Afterschool, is the most in-depth study of how America’s children spend their afternoons.
Contact: (Boys & Girls Club) Jim Ventress/Bryan Lake: 661-254-CLUB & (JCPenney) Daphne Avila, 972-431-3400, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it