Post by Jonel on May 19, 2004 12:11:08 GMT -5
May 18, 2004
National Football League
Football: JCPenney and NFL Partner to "Take A Player To School"
- Nationwide Effort Encourages Kids to Stay in School and Participate in Afterschool Programs -
Plano, TX (May 18, 2004) JCPenney Afterschool and the National Football League launched a new partnership today to encourage kids to stay in school and participate in afterschool programs. The effort centers around a sweepstakes that will run from July 26 through September 20 at all JCPenney stores nationwide where kids can register to "Take A Player To School."
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, who serves as the national spokesperson for the initiative, announced the partnership with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter, Cowboys safety Darren Woodson and 110 fifth graders at Gulledge Elementary School in Plano, TX. The students participated in several football training drills.
Children ages 6-13, an age bracket identified as a primary group in need of afterschool programs, will be eligible to win the contest by filling out entry forms available in JCPenney stores. Parental consent is required. One winning child will be selected in each of the 32 NFL markets and one non-NFL market to gTake a Player to School. Winners will be announced the week of October 8, and NFL players will attend school with the children on October 19 and October 26.
I am very pleased to be part of this effort to encourage students to stay in school and participate in afterschool programs, " said Donovan McNabb. "There is nothing more important in America than our youth, and we need to give young people every opportunity and inspiration to succeed."
"We are proud of JCPenney's partnership with the NFL to provide young people with the opportunity to learn from an NFL role model," said Vanessa Castagna, President of JCPenney Afterschool and Chairman and CEO of JCPenney stores, catalog and Internet. "We need more high-quality and safe educational venues for the millions of young people who go home alone everyday with no supervision or support."
The partnership with the NFL is the latest initiative by JCPenney Afterschool to help America's youth reach the power of their potential. A new study funded by JCPenney Afterschool and published by the Afterschool Alliance finds that more than 15 million children in the U.S. are in need of afterschool education. Extensive research repeatedly shows that good afterschool education programs benefit all students by raising math and reading performance, improving attendance, decreasing involvement in crime, and reducing dropout rates.
In support of the need for afterschool programs throughout the country, NFL Charities this year will award $1.5 million in grants for afterschool education. JCPenney Afterschool has contributed more than $34 million since 1999 to support educational programs, physical fitness initiatives and personal development projects in afterschool centers nationwide.
Celebration of the partnership will continue this evening during the 3rd Annual Afterschool Fund Gala Benefit, where JCPenney executives will be joined by NFL players and the retailer's top suppliers to raise more than $2.4 million for afterschool initiatives. As the premiere annual event for the Afterschool Fund, the gala reflects an ongoing commitment to bring more quality programs, resources and mentors to America's youth. The black-tie event will include a special performance by Motown's greatest living legends, The Temptations.
About JCPenney
JCPenney is one of America's largest department store, catalog, and e-commerce retailers, employing approximately 150,000 associates. As of May 1, 2004, JCPenney operated 1,021 JCPenney department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, and 59 Renner department stores in Brazil. JCPenney is a contributor to JCPenney Afterschool Fund, a charitable organization committed to providing children with high quality after school programs to help them reach their full potential.
About JCPenney Afterschool
JCPenney Afterschool is committed to helping provide children with high-quality, affordable after-school programs to help them reach the power of their potential. JCPenney Afterschool Fund is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization contributing financial support to five of America's leading after-school advocates. JCPenney Afterschool's support helps provide safe, fun and educational after-school programs and raise awareness of the need for more such programs across the country.
Contact:
Rosalynn Vasquez Dan Masonson
JCPenney Public Relations NFL
972-431-3044 212-450-2081
rvasque1@jcpenney.com masonsond@nfl.com
National Football League
Football: JCPenney and NFL Partner to "Take A Player To School"
- Nationwide Effort Encourages Kids to Stay in School and Participate in Afterschool Programs -
Plano, TX (May 18, 2004) JCPenney Afterschool and the National Football League launched a new partnership today to encourage kids to stay in school and participate in afterschool programs. The effort centers around a sweepstakes that will run from July 26 through September 20 at all JCPenney stores nationwide where kids can register to "Take A Player To School."
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, who serves as the national spokesperson for the initiative, announced the partnership with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter, Cowboys safety Darren Woodson and 110 fifth graders at Gulledge Elementary School in Plano, TX. The students participated in several football training drills.
Children ages 6-13, an age bracket identified as a primary group in need of afterschool programs, will be eligible to win the contest by filling out entry forms available in JCPenney stores. Parental consent is required. One winning child will be selected in each of the 32 NFL markets and one non-NFL market to gTake a Player to School. Winners will be announced the week of October 8, and NFL players will attend school with the children on October 19 and October 26.
I am very pleased to be part of this effort to encourage students to stay in school and participate in afterschool programs, " said Donovan McNabb. "There is nothing more important in America than our youth, and we need to give young people every opportunity and inspiration to succeed."
"We are proud of JCPenney's partnership with the NFL to provide young people with the opportunity to learn from an NFL role model," said Vanessa Castagna, President of JCPenney Afterschool and Chairman and CEO of JCPenney stores, catalog and Internet. "We need more high-quality and safe educational venues for the millions of young people who go home alone everyday with no supervision or support."
The partnership with the NFL is the latest initiative by JCPenney Afterschool to help America's youth reach the power of their potential. A new study funded by JCPenney Afterschool and published by the Afterschool Alliance finds that more than 15 million children in the U.S. are in need of afterschool education. Extensive research repeatedly shows that good afterschool education programs benefit all students by raising math and reading performance, improving attendance, decreasing involvement in crime, and reducing dropout rates.
In support of the need for afterschool programs throughout the country, NFL Charities this year will award $1.5 million in grants for afterschool education. JCPenney Afterschool has contributed more than $34 million since 1999 to support educational programs, physical fitness initiatives and personal development projects in afterschool centers nationwide.
Celebration of the partnership will continue this evening during the 3rd Annual Afterschool Fund Gala Benefit, where JCPenney executives will be joined by NFL players and the retailer's top suppliers to raise more than $2.4 million for afterschool initiatives. As the premiere annual event for the Afterschool Fund, the gala reflects an ongoing commitment to bring more quality programs, resources and mentors to America's youth. The black-tie event will include a special performance by Motown's greatest living legends, The Temptations.
About JCPenney
JCPenney is one of America's largest department store, catalog, and e-commerce retailers, employing approximately 150,000 associates. As of May 1, 2004, JCPenney operated 1,021 JCPenney department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, and 59 Renner department stores in Brazil. JCPenney is a contributor to JCPenney Afterschool Fund, a charitable organization committed to providing children with high quality after school programs to help them reach their full potential.
About JCPenney Afterschool
JCPenney Afterschool is committed to helping provide children with high-quality, affordable after-school programs to help them reach the power of their potential. JCPenney Afterschool Fund is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization contributing financial support to five of America's leading after-school advocates. JCPenney Afterschool's support helps provide safe, fun and educational after-school programs and raise awareness of the need for more such programs across the country.
Contact:
Rosalynn Vasquez Dan Masonson
JCPenney Public Relations NFL
972-431-3044 212-450-2081
rvasque1@jcpenney.com masonsond@nfl.com