RIF and Macy's Book A Brighter Future for Millions of Children Across the Country Who Lack Adequate Access to Books
Back-to-school savings offered to Macy's shoppers who give to support literacy
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WASHINGTON, June 30, 2009 /PRNewswire/ — Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and Macy's have teamed up to launch Book A Brighter Future™, a national partnership to raise awareness and support of children's literacy. The Book A Brighter Future campaign is an annual promotion held at Macy's stores during the back-to-school season to help raise money for local RIF programs and to provide reading resources to the children who need them most.
This campaign provides an opportunity for Macy's customers to join the effort and have an impact on literacy in their community. From July 1 through August 31, 2009, Macy’s customers can give $3 and receive a coupon for $10 off a $50 in-store purchase at any Macy’s nationwide. Macy’s will donate 100 percent of every $3 to RIF.
"Giving back to the communities where we work and live is a long-standing priority at Macy's," said Terry Lundgren, chairman, president and CEO of Macy's, Inc. "We are proud that, last year alone, more than a million Macy's customers participated in Book A Brighter Future helping to raise more than $3 million dollars for children who lack access to books. It is a great way for our customers to support the education of children in their own community while enjoying special savings for their back-to-school shopping at Macy's."
For every $3, $1 will support local RIF programs near the Macy's store; $1 will support RIF's Multicultural Literacy Campaign; and $1 will help RIF's ongoing efforts to provide reading resources to millions of underserved children across the country.
"RIF's vision is a literate America in which children have access to books and discover the joy and value of reading," said RIF President and CEO, Carol H. Rasco. "Nearly two-thirds of low-income families do not own any books for their children. This campaign with Macy's allows RIF to provide free books and literacy resources to the children at greatest risk for developing reading difficulties."
Since 2006, Macy's and RIF have raised more than $7 million through the in-store promotion, which has had a profound impact on RIF's mission. Macy's has helped provide over 3 million books to 1.2 million kids and has donated 750 hardcover multicultural book collections to schools, Head Start centers, and libraries in every state and U.S. territory. Macy's also supports RIF's Multicultural Literacy Campaign, a multi-year effort to promote and support early childhood literacy in African American, Hispanic, and American Indian communities—where reading scores are the lowest.
"RIF wants to remind all parents that the simple act of reading aloud to their young children is the single most important thing parents can do to develop a child's literacy skills," adds Rasco. "RIF has many resources to help parents and caregivers learn how to develop language skills and a love of learning in children."
One such resource is RIF's Leading to Reading/Semillitas de aprendizaje—a free online educational resource geared at infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The fun and interactive site offers stories, nursery rhymes, and other activities for adults and young children to experience together as they book a brighter future through literacy.
To help Book A Brighter Future for children through literacy, supporters can Tell-A-Friend at http://www.rif.org/brighterfuture. They can share with friends the importance of reading to young children and how they can save at Macy's on their next purchase when they support the Book A Brighter Future campaign. Supporters who tell a friend will be entered into a sweepstakes where they are eligible to win a $1,000 Macy's shopping spree from RIF.
To learn more about the Book A Brighter Future campaign, donate, and Tell-A-Friend for a chance to win, visit: http://www.rif.org/brighterfuture.
About Macy's
Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Macy's stores and macys.com offer distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as Macy's 4th of July Fireworks® and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Building on a 150-year tradition, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities that make a difference in the lives of our customers. For Macy's media materials, images and contacts, please visit our online pressroom at www.macys.com/pressroom.
About RIF
Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF), founded in 1966, motivates children to read by working with them, their parents, and community members to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life. RIF's highest priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8. Through community volunteers in every state and U.S. territory, RIF provides 4.5 million children with 16 million new, free books and literacy resources each year. For more information, and to access reading resources, visit RIF's website at www.RIF.org.
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