2009 Afterschool Round-Up
Customers can give back to their communities by once again participating in the JCPenney Afterschool Round-Up program. Customers have the opportunity to “round-up” their JCPenney purchases to the nearest whole dollar and donate the difference to the JCPenney Afterschool Fund. The JCPenney Afterschool Fund, in turn, will donate the store’s Round-Up collections to a local afterschool program in each store’s community.
In December 2009, JCPenney customers helped raise more than $1.7 million through Round-Up! Join us for the next Round-Up, scheduled for March 24 - April 6 and your spare change could change a life! The JCPenney Afterschool Fund is proud to provide support to FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a nonprofit group whose mission is inspiring kids to be science and technology leaders through unique, high-intensity robotics competitions. FIRST programs, which are founded upon the ideal of gracious professionalism, instill kids with leadership skills, collobarative spirit and confidence that help prepare them for college and beyond.
FIRST
In its commitment to help kids be smart, strong and socially responsible, the JCPenney Afterschool Fund sponsored the first-ever Dallas Regional Robotics Competition in March 2009. Over 1,200 students and mentors from across the Southwestn U.S. and as far away as Mexico City gathered for a spirited competition. In 2010, the JCPenney Afterschool Fund will once again sponsor the Dallas competition as well as teams in all 40 of FIRST's regional events nationwide.
JCPenney is the official sponsor of the "Rascal Flatts American Living Unstoppable Tour" presented by JCPenney. The tour will promote American Living, the retailer's affordable, all-American lifestyle brand developed exclusively for the JCPenney customer by Polo Ralph Lauren's Global Brand Concepts.
Sponsorship of Rascal Flatts Tour
In conjuction with the tour, Rascal Flatts has written a new song inspired by the spirit of the brand titled "American Living" which will service as the soundtrack for the retailer's new American Living commercial. The song will only be available on a special version of the Unstoppable CD sold at JCPenney stores. The CD will be available at JCPenney beginning April 7 and $1 from the sale of each CD will benefit the JCPenney Afterschool Fund.
NFL Take a Player to School Presented by JCPenney Afterschool
Students across the country had the opportunity to register to win a surprise for their classmates and teachers with the ultimate “show and tell” this school year. The NFL and the JCPenney Afterschool Fund are once again teaming up for the sixth annual “Take a Player to School” sweepstakes. “Take a Player to School” centers on inspiring youth to make the most of their in-school and afterschool time by making smart and healthy choices and by setting goals and working to achieve them. Children between the ages of six and 13 registered with parental approval for a chance to take an NFL player to school with them at JCPenney stores or online at NFLRUSH.com and jcp.com.
Thirty-four winning students, one per each team market and two national at-large winners, will have the opportunity to ride to school with an NFL player and join him in leading their class through a special “Take a Player to School” gym class. Players including BRANDON JACOBS, HINES WARD, and JASON WITTEN will share personal experiences with the students and emphasize the important roles that academics, health and fitness played in turning their dreams into reality.
To learn more about this program, visit NFLRUSH.com.