Posted on January 19, 2018 by EPR Retail News Editors

Toys“R”Us® annual fundraising campaign to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation raised more than $5 million and collected 175,000 toys

Toy Retailer, With Support from its Loyal Customers, Collects Thousands of Toys and More Than $5 Million, Giving the Gift of Play to Millions of Children on Christmas Morning

WAYNE, NJ, 2018-Jan-19 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today (January 17, 2018), Toys“R”Us® announced its annual nationwide fundraising campaign to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation raised more than $5 million and collected approximately 175,000 toys. The in-store and online fundraiser took place October through December 2017, ensuring some of the 15 million children in-need around the country were met with a visit from Santa this past holiday season. New this year, Toys“R”Us donated $1 to Toys for Tots for every customer that took advantage of the company’s Price Match Promise, resulting in more than half a million dollars contributed towards the campaign.

Over the course of the last 14 years, Toys“R”Us has been championing play alongside the 70-year veteran organization, raising more than $58 million and collecting over 4.5 million toys.

For more information about the company’s mission of giving, visit Toysrusinc.com.

Charitable Giving at Toys“R”Us
Toys“R”Us, Inc. is proud to support organizations that focus on improving their communities, particularly in areas of education, play, children’s health and welfare and disaster relief. Via its charitable arm, The Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund, Toys“R”Us has contributed more than $230 million to nonprofit partners who strive to keep children safe and help them in times of need.

SOURCE: Toys”R”Us

MEDIA CONTACT

Corporate Communications
1(973) 617-5900
press@toysrus.com

Posted on August 23, 2017 by Retail News Editor

Sheetz For The Kidz July in-store fundraising campaign raised $560,000 to support children in need

Sheetz employees and customers break fundraising record

ALTOONA, Pa., 2017-Aug-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Sheetz For The Kidz, a Sheetz employee-run charity that for the past 25 years has set out to make the holiday season brighter for children in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina, today (Aug. 22, 2017) announced that it raised $560,000 during its July in-store fundraising campaign. This is a record for the July campaign, exceeding last year’s total by more than $100,000.

Throughout the month of July, Sheetz customers supported Sheetz For The Kidz through in-store donations at checkout with one hundred percent of donations going directly to supporting the children in the local community of each store. In addition to the July giving campaign, more than $750,000 was raised during the annual Sheetz For the Kidz Golf Classic, which celebrated its 19th year in May.

“In our 25th year, it is with great pleasure that we announce another record setting fundraising milestone for Sheetz For The Kidz,” said Travis Sheetz, Executive Vice President of Operations for Sheetz. “We thank our customers who donate their funds to this effort. We are also so appreciative of our dedicated employees who devote their time and efforts to helping kids in the communities our stores call home.”

The Sheetz For The Kidz Holiday Program provides children in need the opportunity to celebrate the holidays with new toys, clothes and other basic needs. The program works with The Salvation Army to identify families and collect their holiday wish lists. Sheetz employees from every Sheetz operating area shop, wrap and host parties for all the participating children. Over $1.4 million was distributed last year, making the holiday season brighter for more than 8,800 children in six states, amounting to 16 children from each Sheetz store location.

This will also mark the 12th year of Sheetz For The Kidz partnering with Make-A-Wish to sponsor families of seriously ill children so they can experience a weeklong dream vacation in Orlando, Florida. Fifty-four families will enjoy a cost-free vacation at Give Kids the World Village, an 84-acre, nonprofit “storybook” resort designed to provide accommodations for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families while experiencing the Disney vacation of their dreams.

About Sheetz For The Kidz
Sheetz For The Kidz is a non-profit organization, designated as a 501(c) (3) charity, independent of the Sheetz Corporation. The organization was created in 1992 by local store employees wanting to help local children. The mission of the charity is to provide support, hope, joy and happiness to children in need within the communities in which Sheetz operates. To date, the charity has raised more than $22.9 million and helped more than 100,000 children!

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need, in His name, without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Approximately 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a range of social services: food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter for the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar we spend supports those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. The Salvation Army tracks the level of need across the country with the Human Needs Index (HumanNeedsIndex.org). For more information, go to salvationarmyusa.org, or follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS.

About Make-A-Wish
Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. According to a 2011 U.S. study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed believe a wish come true has positive impacts on the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illness, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family. Headquartered in Phoenix, Make-A-Wish is one of the world’s leading children’s charities, serving children in every community in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 33,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a wish somewhere in the country every 34 minutes. It has granted more than 285,000 wishes since its inception in 1980—more than 15,300 in 2016 alone. Visit Make-A-Wish at www.wish.org to learn more.

For further information:</strong
Laura Hager
lhager@planitagency.com
667.219.2017

SOURCE: Sheetz, Inc.

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Retail News Editor

Toys“R”Us® fundraising campaign for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® raised nearly $3 million

: Toys“R”Us® fundraising campaign for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® raised nearly $3 million

Fundraising Campaign Drives Critical Awareness and Funds for Children Impacted by Life-Threatening Diseases

Wayne, NJ, 2017-Jul-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Toys“R”Us® today (July 13, 2017 ) announced that in year one of its three-year commitment to provide $7 million to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, the company and the Toys”R”Us Children’s Fund exceeded the campaign goal raising nearly $3 million that will help provide essential life-saving treatments and services at no cost to its patients.

Click to Tweet: Thanks to generous donations, @ToysRUs raised nearly $3 million for @StJude! #GivingIsAwesome! Learn more at http://bit.ly/2u8qOFy

“Toys“R”Us is all about bringing joy to children and families, and together with St. Jude, we are bringing smiles to their faces at a place and time that really matters most,” said Dave Brandon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Toys“R”Us, Inc. “St. Jude is saving lives, plain and simple. The gravity of what they do for families around the world is unmatched, as they lead in treating and defeating life-threatening diseases affecting children.”

Toys“R”Us kicked off its partnership with St. Jude in March with a larger-than-life event that was truly worthy of the kids who receive care at the hospital in Tennessee. Not only did the event benefit the children receiving treatment at the facility, but also their siblings and parents.

“Toys“R”Us is a brand that cares deeply about the patients and families of St. Jude,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “The first year of our partnership has been remarkably successful. Toys“R”Us and its incredibly kindhearted customers, who are genuinely passionate about our mission, have helped us deliver joy to so many families at St. Jude, and their generosity will continue to help St. Jude find cures and save the lives of children fighting cancer and other life-threatening diseases in communities everywhere.”

Learn more about other Charitable Partners that Toys“R”Us works with here.

About Toys“R”Us, Inc.
Toys“R”Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 879 Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam, and in 815 international stores and over 255 licensed stores in 37 countries and jurisdictions. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com, the company provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Toys“R”Us, Inc. is headquartered in Wayne, NJ, and has nearly 65,000 employees worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need. Over the past three decades, the Company has given more than $100 million in product donations to children’s charities. Since 1992, the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund, a public charity affiliated with Toys“R”Us, Inc., has also donated more than $130 million in grants. For more information, visit Toysrusinc.com or follow @ToysRUsNews on Twitter.

About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Our purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent, and St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook (facebook.com/stjude) and following us on Twitter (@stjude).

Charitable Giving at Toys“R”Us
The philanthropic mission of Toys“R”Us, Inc. and the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund is to keep children safe and help them in times of need. The Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund contributes millions of dollars annually to various children’s organizations, including those providing disaster relief to victims of large-scale crises, as well as those supporting America’s military families. The Fund also provides grants to leading special needs organizations, furthering the company’s commitment to children of all abilities. In addition to financial and product donations, Toys“R”Us, Inc. hosts in-store and online fundraising campaigns annually that raise millions of dollars for the company’s signature philanthropic partners.

Media Relations:

1 (973) 617-5900
Press@toysrus.com

Source: Toys“R”Us, Inc.

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Posted on July 17, 2017 by Retail News Editor

Price Chopper/Market 32 fundraising campaign raises $51,497 for Prevent Child Abuse New York

Schenectady, NY, 2017-Jul-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Price Chopper/Market 32’s raised awareness and $51,497 in funds for Prevent Child Abuse New York through a month-long campaign where customers could make $1 or $5 donations at the register. In addition to the donations at the checkout, the Golub Corporation kicked off the campaign with a $2,500 donation.

“Price Chopper and Market 32 are proud to host a campaign that supports a cause as important as this one,” said Mona Golub, vice president of public relations and consumer services. “Thanks to the collective generosity of our community, the efforts of Prevent Child Abuse New York, which works to ensure that children will have a safe environment in which to grow and flourish, are bolstered.”

Prevent Child Abuse is an organization that’s working towards a statewide commitment to the healthy development and successful futures of New York’s kids, families and communities. Its goal is to develop, improve and expand the quality of services and effective policies for preventing child abuse and neglect. The organization also strives to enhance child development. For more information, visit https://www.preventchildabuseny.org/

About The Golub Corporation:

Based in Schenectady, NY, the Golub Corporation owns and operates 134 Price Chopper and Market 32 grocery stores in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The American owned, family-managed company prides itself on longstanding traditions of innovative food merchandising, leadership in community service, and cooperative employee relations. Golub’s 20,000 teammates collectively own more than 44% of the company’s privately held stock, making it one of the nation’s largest privately held corporations that is
predominantly employee-owned. For additional information, visit www.pricechopper.com

Contact:
Mona Golub
Price Chopper
518-379-1480

Jonathan Pierce, APR
Pierce Communications
518-221-1186

Source: Price Chopper

Posted on July 4, 2017 by Retail News Editor

Sheetz starts July fundraising campaign to support the Sheetz For The Kidz Holiday Program and Make-A-Wish

ALTOONA, Pa., 2017-Jul-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — For the past 25 years Sheetz For The Kidz (SFTK) has set out to provide support, hope, joy and happiness to children within the communities in which Sheetz operates. SFTK is an employee driven 501 (c)(3) charitable organization that raises funds to support the Sheetz For The Kidz Holiday Program and Make-A-Wish.

The Sheetz For The Kidz Holiday Program provides children in need the opportunity to celebrate the holidays with new toys, clothes and other basic needs. The program works with The Salvation Army to identify families and collect their holiday wish lists. Sheetz employees from every Sheetz operating area shop, wrap and host parties for all the participating children. More than $1.4 million was distributed last year, making the holiday season brighter for more than 8,800 children in six states, amounting to 16 children from each Sheetz store location.

This will also mark the 12th year of SFTK partnering with Make-A-Wish to sponsor families of seriously ill children so they can experience a weeklong dream vacation in Orlando, Florida. Fifty-four families will enjoy a cost-free vacation at Give Kids the World Village, an 84-acre, non-profit “storybook” resort designed to provide accommodations for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families while experiencing the Disney vacation of their dreams.

In July, Sheetz customers can support SFTK through in-store fundraising. One hundred percent of customer donations go directly to supporting the children in our communities. In addition, throughout the year, customers can support local kids in their community through online donations and Amazon Smile.

Ways to support SFTK in July:

Donate at check out.
Purchase a Sheetz For The Kidz water, with 25 cents from each bottle supporting the charity.
Buy any Coca-Cola® 20 oz. bottle of carbonated soft drink between July 1 and July 31 and Coca-Cola will donate 5 cents to support SFTK.
Shop on AmazonSmile and select “Sheetz For The Kidz” as the charity of your choice and Amazon will donate .5% of your purchases to the charity.
Go to www.sheetzforthekidz.org to donate online today.

A main fundraising event for the organization continues to be the annual SheetzFor the Kidz Golf Classic, which celebrated its 19th year in May at the Pinehurst Resort. This year, the event raised more than $700,000 for SFTK.

“Sheetz For The Kidz has been successful over the past 25 years due to the support of customers who donate funds at Sheetz locations, and business partners that have supported our annual golf tournament and other events throughout the year,” said Sheetz For The Kidz Executive Director Sarah Piper. “We are also so grateful for the work of Sheetz employees, who have devoted their time and efforts to bettering the lives of children in their communities.”

For further information:
Nick Ruffner
814.941.5183
nruffner@sheetz.com

SOURCE: Sheetz, Inc.

Posted on May 11, 2017 by Retail News Editor

Taco Bell launches fundraising campaign to help kids with scholarships and programs

: Taco Bell launches fundraising campaign to help kids with scholarships and programs

Irvine, Calif., 2017-May-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — From Thursday, May 11th through Thursday, May 25th participating Taco Bell restaurants nationwide are inviting customers to donate $1 to the Taco Bell Foundation to help kids with scholarships and programs. All funds raised will help the next generation, like the three pictured above, achieve their career and educational aspirations.

Meet Jonathan, Devon and Pooja. They are the next generation of leaders. Youth on the cusp of adulthood searching for ways to live out their dreams. They are pure potential. Innovators, dreamers, and creators who could one day change the world. And with a program like the Live Más Scholarship behind them, they have someone who believes in them as much as they believe in themselves.

With your donation, you are helping fund the dreams of many more students like Jonathan, Devon and Pooja. So, Thank YOU. Thank you for believing in them and believing in what the Live Mas Scholarship can give them.

ABOUT TACO BELL® CORPORATION

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Retail News Editor

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts kicks off fundraising campaign to provide summer camp experience to children with chronic medical conditions

: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts kicks off fundraising campaign to provide summer camp experience to children with chronic medical conditions

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., 2017-Apr-06 — /EPR Retail News/ — Krispy Kreme Doughnuts today ( April 5, 2017 ) announced the beginning of the 9th annual Drive for 45 campaign. The campaign will raise money for Victory Junction, a non-profit organization that provides children with chronic medical conditions with a classic summer camp experience in a medically-safe environment. Guests can donate at any participating shops in the U.S. through May 19.

Victory Junction is located on 84 acres of land in Randleman, N.C. The camp serves children from across the country between the ages of six and 16.

“Victory Junction is changing lives for hundreds of children each summer,” said Jackie Woodward, Chief Marketing Officer of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. “Everyone should be able to make friends and memories at summer camp, and we are grateful to be partners with an organization that gives this opportunity to so many.”

Kyle Petty led efforts to build Victory Junction in honor of his son Adam, who died in a racing accident in 2000. Adam’s racecar number was 45, and that’s why the Drive for 45 is 45 days long.

“Since 2009, Krispy Kreme has sent more than 1,300 kids to Victory Junction,” said Petty. “We are grateful for their passion for our mission and their continued generosity, which helps to provide normal childhood experiences to even more kids who wouldn’t be able to attend camp anywhere else due to their medical conditions.”

Krispy Kreme fans can also donate online at www.victoryjunction.com/krispykreme.

About Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation

Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation is a global retailer of premium-quality sweet treats, including its signature Original Glazed® doughnut. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C., the Company has offered the highest-quality doughnuts and great-tasting coffee since it was founded in 1937. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is proud of its Fundraising program, which for decades has helped non-profit organizations raise millions of dollars in needed funds. Krispy Kreme doughnuts can be found in approximately 12,000 grocery, convenience and mass merchant stores in the U.S. The Company has more than 1,300 retail shops in 31 countries. Connect with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts at www.KrispyKreme.com, or on one of its many social media channels, including www.Facebook.com/KrispyKreme, and www.Twitter.com/KrispyKreme.

About Victory Junction

In the wake of the untimely death of NASCAR driver Adam Petty, Victory Junction was founded in his honor in 2004 to realize his dream of creating a camp for children battling disease or disability. Victory Junction believes that every child, no matter their illness or diagnosis, should be able to just be a kid. That’s why it provides medically-safe camp experiences filled with discovery, friendship and lots of laughter. Always at no cost to families.

Contact:

Sarah Roof
336-726-8878
Corporate Communications Coordinator
sroof@krispykreme.com

Source: Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation

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Posted on April 4, 2017 by Retail News Editor

Toys“R”Us® kicks off its fundraising campaign to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®

Wayne, NJ, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Toys“R”Us® today (April 3, 2017) announced the start of its fundraising campaign in stores and online through June 12 to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, which is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. This is the first of a three-year partnership with St. Jude, in which Toys“R”Us and the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund have committed to raising $7 million to ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

“Toys“R”Us was built on the idea of delivering joy to children and with our customers’ support, we will be doing just that for the kids at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” said Dave Brandon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Toys“R”Us, Inc. “St. Jude is a beacon of hope for children and families in communities everywhere and we are honored to join in its mission.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Toys“R”Us to the St. Jude family,” said Marlo Thomas, National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Their focus on kids and families, makes this partnership a perfect fit. And the funds raised by this campaign will help fuel the pioneering research and care that leads to cures for children fighting cancer and other life-threatening diseases in communities everywhere.”

It is easy to support St. Jude, customers can donate at any Toys“R”Us or Babies“R”Us location across the U.S. or online at Toysrus.com/GivingIsAwesome. Because the majority of St. Jude funding comes from individual contributors, St. Jude has the freedom to focus on what matters most – saving kids regardless of their financial situation.

#GivingisAwesome and Super Easy
However customers choose to shop, whether online or at one of the 883 Toys“R”Us or Babies“R”Us stores across the U.S., donating is easy. Just $3 can have an impact by providing necessities such as pediatric isolation masks to help protect St. Jude’s young patients with compromised immune systems. Have a few more dollars to spare? For just $7, help St. Jude provide a blank medical teaching doll that helps the hospital’s kids understand medical treatment and procedures.

In addition, between April 23 and April 29, Toys“R”Us will donate $1 to St. Jude (up to $25,000) for every retweet of a special #GivingIsAwesome moment @Toysrus retweet. Follow @ToysRUs on Twitter to help make a difference in the lives of St. Jude patients and families.

Click to Tweet: Did you hear? We’re teaming up with @StJude! Stop by @ToysRUs, @BabiesRUs or donate online. #GivingIsAwesome www.toysrus.com/givingisawesome

To find your local Toys“R”Us or Babies“R”Us store, visit Toysrus.com or Babiesrus.com. To learn more about the partnership or to donate to St. Jude through June 12, visit Toysrus.com/GivingIsAwesome.

About Toys”R”Us, Inc.

Toys“R”Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 883 Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam, and in 795 international stores and 254 licensed stores in 37 countries and jurisdictions. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com, the company provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Toys“R”Us, Inc. is headquartered in Wayne, NJ, and has an annual workforce of approximately 60,000 employees worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need. Since 1992, the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund, a public charity affiliated with Toys“R”Us, Inc., has donated more than $125 million in grants to children’s charities. For more information, visit Toysrusinc.com or follow @ToysRUsNews on Twitter. Follow Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Toysrus and Facebook.com/Babiesrus and on Twitter at Twitter.com/Toysrus and Twitter.com/Babiesrus.

About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Our purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent, and St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook (facebook.com/stjude) and following us on Twitter (@stjude).

Media Relations:

1 (973) 617-5900
Press@toysrus.com

Source: Toys“R”Us, Inc.

Posted on April 3, 2017 by Retail News Editor

Big Lots kicks off fundraising campaign to benefit Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Retailer Offers Donation Platform in All Stores and Online

Columbus, Ohio, 2017-Apr-03 — /EPR Retail News/ — Big Lots (NYSE: BIG), announced today (March 30, 2017) the relaunch of their national point-of-sale fundraising campaign to benefit Nationwide Children’s Hospital, in their efforts to provide care to children in all 50 states and over 50 different countries from around the world. Donations will be accepted March 30th through April 23rd through Big Lots stores and online with 100 percent of all proceeds raised going directly to support the hospital.

Nationwide Children’s is America’s largest not-for-profit freestanding pediatric healthcare system, delivering world-class care for more than 1.2 million patient visits each year. The hospital treats children all over the world and from across the nation, providing more than $97 million in charity care and community benefit each year. Doctors and researchers are revolutionizing children’s healthcare and research at Nationwide Children’s.

“Big Lots is enormously proud to continue this mission in conjunction with Nationwide Children’s and our generous customers,” said CEO David Campisi. “Thanks to their kindness and the hard work of our associates, we’re excited to support the lifesaving research and care that Nationwide Children’s Hospital provides. When customers visit our stores, they can pass on the money they save on our great merchandise, by donating as they check out. The Big Lots team is driven by this amazing opportunity to assist an organization that does so much good for so many.”

In addition to spearheading the Give Big for Kids campaign, on August 31, 2016, Big Lots together with the Big Lots Foundation announced a $50 million transformational gift to Nationwide Children’s Hospital to support their ground breaking plans for research, treatment, and care in the underfunded need of behavioral health. Our financial commitment represents the single largest financial gift of its kind to support pediatric behavioral health and with our support, the Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is slated to open in early 2020. The 250,000-square-foot pavilion on the hospital’s main campus will foster collaboration with Nationwide Children’s research teams, as well as community partner agencies to help care for children and teens with behavioral health challenges and illnesses. To learn more about the Give Big for Kids campaign and make a donation online visit biglots.com/give4kids.

About Big Lots, Inc.

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) is a unique, non-traditional, discount retailer operating 1,432 BIG LOTS stores in 47 states with product assortments in the merchandise categories of Furniture, Seasonal, Soft Home, Food, Consumables, Hard Home, and Electronics, Toys & Accessories. Our vision is to be recognized for providing an outstanding shopping experience for our customers, valuing and developing our associates, and creating growth for our shareholders. Big Lots supports the communities it serves through the Big Lots Foundation, a charitable organization focused on four areas of need: hunger, housing, healthcare, and education. For more information about the Company, visit www.biglots.com. To learn more about Big Lots, speak with a company representative or arrange a store visit, contact the Big Lots Media Hotline at 1-877-614-1274. To donate please visit biglots.com/give4kids

About Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Named to the Top 10 Honor Roll on U.S. News & World Report’s 2016-17 list of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals,” Nationwide Children’s Hospital is America’s largest not-for-profit freestanding pediatric healthcare system providing wellness, preventive, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitative care for infants, children and adolescents, as well as adult patients with congenital disease. Nationwide Children’s has a staff of more than 11,000 providing state-of-the-art pediatric care during more than 1.2 million patient visits annually. As home to the Department of Pediatrics of the Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nationwide Children’s physicians train the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric specialists. The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the Top 10 National Institutes of Health–funded freestanding pediatric research facilities. Nationwide Children’s remains true to the original mission since its founding in 1892 of providing care regardless of a family’s ability to pay. More information is available at NationwideChildrens.org.

Media Contact:

Colleen Cleary
1-631-921-5320
Colleen.Cleary@havasww.com

Source: Big Lots, Inc.

Posted on November 3, 2016 by Retail News Editor

DESPAR Nordest fundraising campaign collected more than €328,000 for earthquake relief fund in Italy

SPAR Italy customers in the regions of Trentino, Veneto, Friuli Venezia-Giulia and Emilia Romagna (North-East Italy) showed great generosity during the fundraising campaign promoted by DESPAR Nordest in the aftermath of the earthquake that devastated several municipalities in Central Italy in August.

Italy, 2016-Nov-03 — /EPR Retail News/ — The instore fundraising, which ended on 2 October, led to the collection of more than €328,000. The entire sum was transferred to a special bank account opened by the Italian Red Cross for the collection of money to support reconstruction work after the earthquake.

The money was raised through more than 217,000 donations made by customers at the checkout counters of SPAR stores. A large part of the money raised came from stores operated by SPAR Partner, Aspiag, in Friuli Venezia Giulia, where customers donated €196,000 through some 182,300 donations. This shows the great generosity of the local community, many of whom share memories of a tragic earthquake that hit their region in 1976.

In Veneto and Emilia Romagna more than €68,700 was collected by means of 19,777 donations. Customers in Trentino and Alto Adige also sympathised with the hard-hit area. The average donation there was the highest: more than €4, leading to a total of €63,845.

“We knew we could count on our customers’ generosity as they have always responded with readiness to this type of charity initiative. Our most sincere thanks and gratitude goes to them. A special thank you also goes to our colleagues at the SPAR Supermarkets, who were able to keep the consumers’ focus on this initiative,” said DESPAR Nordest Managing Director, Paul Klotz. “We are going to work closely with the Italian Red Cross to coordinate relief efforts and make sure that the funds are quickly and efficiently received by the communities that were affected by the earthquake.”

DESPAR Nordest also donated a full truckload of essential supplies to the earthquake-stricken communities. A video of the journey of the DESPAR truck tells the story of this special delivery from the moment the truck was loaded at a DESPAR Distribution Centre, until the time it reached its destination at the Logistics Centre of the Italian Red Cross in Avezzano on 30 August.

Contact:

SPAR International
Email: info@spar-international.com
Tel: +3120 626 6749

Source: Spar International

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Price Chopper and Market 32 customers raise $23,679 during fundraising campaign for United Way

Schenectady, NY, 2016-Sep-27 — /EPR Retail News/ — Price Chopper and Market 32 customers and teammates from throughout the company’s six state footprint helped raise $23,679 during the month-long fundraising campaign for United Way, a national organization with local offices that identify and work to make measurable changes in communities in the areas of education, income, and health. This effort supplements the chain’s annual internal, company-supported campaign to raise funds for the United Way.

“United Way helps communities meet basic needs through programs and services that bolster everything from financial literacy and health care to education and job skill development, and by connecting volunteers with worthwhile causes,” said Mona Golub, vice president of public relations and consumer services. “The proceeds from this campaign will stay in the local communities where they were raised to support the great work that United Way continues to do for our neighbors.”

Local United Ways work with partners to identify community strengths and needs, coordinate community wide volunteer efforts, provide support for service programs and community efforts, and advocate for changes to public policy. Common themes are helping children and youth, strengthening and supporting families, improving access to health care, promoting financial stability. For more information, visit http://www.unitedway.org/

About The Golub Corporation: Based in Schenectady, NY, the Golub Corporation owns and operates 135 Price Chopper and Market 32 grocery stores in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The American owned, family-managed company prides itself on longstanding traditions of innovative food merchandising, leadership in community service, and cooperative employee relations. Golub’s 22,000 teammates collectively own more than 47% of the company’s privately held stock, making it one of the nation’s largest privately held corporations that is predominantly employee-owned. For additional information, visit www.pricechopper.com

Contact:
Mona Golub
Price Chopper
518.379.1480

Jonathan Pierce
APR Pierce Communications
518.427.1186

Source: Price Chopper

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Cold Stone Creamery® launches nationwide fundraising campaign in support of nonprofit organization Best Buddies® International

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., 2016-Aug-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Cold Stone Creamery® (www.ColdStoneCreamery.com) is partnering with Best Buddies® International and hosting a nationwide fundraising promotion during the month of August in all domestic Cold Stone Creamery stores to support the organization. Best Buddies is a nonprofit that is dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Beginning August 1, customers can purchase a Best Buddies sticker, designed by renowned artist Keith Haring, for a minimum donation of $1 each. Keith Haring was an artist, philanthropist, and friend of Anthony K. Shriver, Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies International. Haring incorporated his incredible energy and vibrant style into the now iconic Best Buddies logo. One hundred percent of proceeds from the stickers will be donated to the Best Buddies International organization.

“Cold Stone Creamery is honored to work together with Best Buddies and help support their mission to end the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Kate Unger, senior vice president of marketing for Kahala Brands™, parent company of Cold Stone Creamery. “Customers have the chance to share the message of friendship and empowerment when they purchase a Best Buddies sticker along with their favorite ice cream Creation™.”

In addition to the nationwide fundraising program, Cold Stone Creamery will be implementing a jobs program later this fall. This integrated employment program will pair members of Best Buddies with their local Cold Stone Creamery store. There, they will receive professional handson training in the art of creating the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience®.

Cold Stone Creamery is also working on a mentoring program in which members of Best Buddies will have the chance to shadow an employee at the brand’s corporate headquarters and training center in Scottsdale, Arizona.

About Cold Stone Creamery®
Cold Stone Creamery delivers the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience® through a community of franchisees who are passionate about ice cream. The secret recipe for smooth and creamy ice cream is handcrafted fresh daily in each store, and then customized by combining a variety of mix-ins on a frozen granite stone. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Cold Stone Creamery is owned by parent company Kahala Brands™, one of the fastest growing franchising companies in the world, with a portfolio of 18 quick-service restaurant concepts. The Cold Stone Creamery brand operates approximately 1,500 locations in over 27 countries.

About Best Buddies®
International Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,900 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ eight formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies® , Jobs, Ambassadors, and Promoters — engage participants in each of the 50 states and in over 50 countries, positively impacting the lives of more than 900,000 people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships.

For more information about Cold Stone Creamery, visit www.ColdStoneCreamery.com.

For more information about Kahala Brands, visit www.KahalaBrands.com.

For more information about Best Buddies, please visit www.BestBuddies.org, facebook.com/bestbuddies or twitter.com/bestbuddies.

CONTACT:

Jessica Benedick
Cold Stone Creamery
480.362.4837
jbenedick@kahalamgmt.com

Source: Cold Stone Creamery

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Topaz’s ‘Small Change, for Big Change’ fundraising campaign raised €100,000 in aid of the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation

DUBLIN, IRELAND, 2016-Aug-03 — /EPR Retail News/ — Topaz, Ireland’s largest fuel and convenience retailer, proudly announced today that they have raised €100,000 in aid of the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation, predominantly through its ‘Small Change, for Big Change’ fundraising campaign.

The ‘Small Change for Big Change’ fundraising campaign is part of an ongoing, three-year charity partnership that will see €400,000 in vital funding raised for the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation. To date, the provision of 6,250 hours of vital home nursing care to families has been provided through the support of both Topaz staff and customers.

Topaz and Re.Store customers can continue to pledge their support to the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation by donating their unwanted, loose Lego bricks in-store, with the ‘LEGO® Exchange’ fundraising drive. Customers can also support the fundraising efforts and be in with a chance to win their local GAA county shirt by donating €2 at their local Topaz or Re.Store throughout the next 4 weeks as part of local fundraising efforts.

Speaking at today’s (27 Jul 2016) announcement, Jonathan Irwin, CEO and Founder of the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation welcomed the fundraising partnership saying:
“I am delighted to be at the Topaz City Avenue site today to celebrate this landmark occasion. The €100,000 that has been raised across the Topaz network already has made a big change in reminding families who have children with severe neurological issues, that they’re not alone and that others care across the country.
I would like to extend my gratitude to all the Topaz staff and customers that have given their invaluable support to those in need of a helping hand. Thank you to everyone involved and we are overwhelmed by the significant difference you continue to make’’.

Also speaking at the announcement, MJ Tierney, Brand Manager, Topaz said: “We are delighted to reach this crucial fundraising milestone and lend our ongoing support to a fantastic organisation. Through thousands of euros’ worth of small change, we in fact have made a big change to the families who need it.
Topaz is committed to continuing to do all we can to give our support to families who face incomprehensible challenges. I would sincerely like to thank our staff and our generous customers for their support to date and we ask customers to continue to help us in our efforts for this fantastic organisation.

The Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation, which was founded in 1997, provides direct funding to families of children up to the age of four years old suffering from severe intellectual and physical developmental delay as a result of brain damage, enabling them to purchase home nursing and respite care.

While parenting for most is about feeding, changing, teething, and wishing for a good night’s sleep, parenting for the families supported by Jack & Jill involves coping with seizures, feeding tubes and pain, alongside medication, physio appointments and hospital visits.

Contact:

Topaz Head Office Tel: +353 (0)1 202 8888
Topaz Home Heat: Tel: 1850 250 650
Topaz Fax: +353 (0) 1 282 8320

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: Topaz’s ‘Small Change, for Big Change’ fundraising campaign raised €100,000 in aid of the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation

Source: Topaz

Posted on November 6, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

CVS/pharmacy launched its 2nd annual in-store fundraising campaign to benefit Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C)

Actress, director, producer and SU2C Ambassador Eva Longoria is featured in the in-store campaign running through November 28

WOONSOCKET, R.I., 2015-11-6 — /EPR Retail News/ — CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Health (NYSE: CVS), today announced the launch of its second annual in-store fundraising campaign to benefit Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) that supports innovative cancer research that will help get new therapies to patients quickly and save more lives. The in-store fundraising campaign, which features actress and SU2C Ambassador Eva Longoria, is part of a three-year, $10 million commitment by CVS Health to SU2C.

Now through November 28, CVS/pharmacy customers can support SU2C in stores nationwide by making a $1 or $3 donation at the register or by donating online at www.CVS.com/SU2C. Donations made during this campaign will support SU2C’s collaborative cancer research model which supports “Dream Teams,” and brings together scientists from different institutions and across multiple disciplines to work together to translate their research from the laboratory to the patient.

“We’re so proud to collaborate with Stand Up To Cancer to positively impact people living with cancer,” said Helena Foulkes, President, CVS/pharmacy. “Joining our colleagues and customers in supporting this groundbreaking research is a great extension of CVS Health’s purpose of helping people on their path to better health.”

The campaign will include in-store radio spots featuring Eva Longoria, which will remind shoppers that nearly 1.65 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, that there are more than 200 different types of cancer and that one in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes.

“We are making progress in the fight to turn cancer patients into cancer survivors, but with more than 1,600 people in the U.S. dying from cancer each day, there is still a great deal more that needs to be done,” said SU2C Co-founder Sue Schwartz. “We are incredibly grateful to CVS Health for giving people an easy way to make a donation to help advance our mission and remind everyone that it takes all of us to beat cancer.”

In September, CVS Health and SU2C announced a print, radio and digital public service announcement campaign, entitled “It’s Impossible to Beat Cancer Alone,” aimed at bringing awareness to the importance of collaboration in the fight against cancer and to encourage the general public to learn more and get involved.

For more information on Stand Up To Cancer, visit www.su2c.org/together and to make a donation, please visit www.CVS.com/SU2C.

About Eva Longoria
Actor, director, producer, and activist Eva Longoria is founder of the Eva Longoria Foundation, Eva’s Heroes, and spokesperson for Padres Contra el Cancer. The Golden Globe-nominated and SAG Award-winning actress stars in and executive produces the upcoming NBC comedy “Telenovela,” is executive producer of Lifetime’s “Devious Maids,” the ESPN docu-series “Versus,” and documentaries HARVEST, FOOD CHAINS, and OUR TIMES. She also recently filmed the feature film LOW RIDERS, opposite Academy Award-nominee Demian Bichir, slated for a 2016 release. A International Brand Ambassador for L’Oreal Paris, Longoria owns BESO restaurant, production company UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, two fragrances “EVA, by Eva Longoria” and “EVAmour,” has a NY Times bestselling cookbook EVA’s KITCHEN and recently launched a home collection with JCPenney, The Eva Longoria Home Collection.

About Stand Up To Cancer
Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) raises funds to accelerate the pace of research to get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives now. SU2C, a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was established in 2008 by film and media leaders who utilize the industry’s resources to engage the public in supporting a new, collaborative model of cancer research, and to increase awareness about progress being made in the fight against the disease. As SU2C’s scientific partner, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and a Scientific Advisory Committee led by Nobel Laureate Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D., conduct rigorous, competitive review processes to identify the best research proposals to recommend for funding, oversee grants administration, and provide expert review of research progress.

For more information on Stand Up To Cancer, visit www.standup2cancer.org

About CVS Health
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its more than 7,900 retail drugstores, more than 1,000 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with more than 70 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, and expanding specialty pharmacy services, the Company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable, effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.

Media Contacts:

Mary Alfieri
Corporate Communications, CVS Health
401-770-9811
Mary.Alfieri@CVSCaremark.com

Eva Pereira
RF Binder (for CVS Health)
781-559-0424
eva.pereira@rfbinder.com

SOURCE CVS Health

Posted on October 14, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Toys“R”Us® launches its annual nationwide fundraising campaign to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation

Shaquille O’Neal, Affectionately Known as Shaq-A-Claus, Enlists Customers to Support Toys for Tots and #PlayItForward

Wayne, NJ, 2015-10-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — Toys“R”Us^® today announced the launch of its annual nationwide fundraising campaign to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Now through Sunday, December 6, customers can spread holiday joy to some of the 15.5 million U.S. children living in poverty by donating new, unwrapped toys at any Toys“R”Us or Babies“R”Us^® store across the country and online at http://www.Toysrus.com/ToysforTots. The company will also collect monetary donations in-store and online through Christmas Eve.

NBA Legend, philanthropist and entrepreneur, Shaquille O’Neal once again joins the company’s campaign as his alter ego Shaq-A-Claus, to encourage shoppers to donate to Toys for Tots. Throughout the campaign, Shaquille will also invite social media users to #PlayItForward, an initiative designed to further spread awareness of the millions of children living in poverty and to inspire families to donate to the cause.

“Making wishes come true around the holidays is especially important to me, as I know how much one toy and one act of kindness can matter. When I was a kid, I was given my very own Dr. J autographed basketball, inspiring me to believe I could grow up to be a basketball star,” said Shaquille O’Neal. “For years, I would shop for presents at Toys“R”Us and distribute them to underprivileged children on Christmas morning. Now, in partnership with Toys“R”Us and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, I’m making it my mission as Shaq-A-Claus to give back and spread holiday cheer to the millions of needy kids in the U.S. I encourage everyone to join me this year and remember – every toy counts!”

#PlayItForward with Shaq-A-Claus and #GivingTuesday
Throughout the 10-week holiday giving campaign, fans and followers of Toys“R”Us on social media will enjoy exclusive content, including special messages from Shaq-A-Claus, fundraising updates and more. To motivate his own followers to #PlayItForward, Shaquille will also tweet and Instagram (@SHAQ), as well as post on Facebook at Facebook.com/ShaqVerified.

And, Shaquille will make it even easier for Twitter followers to give the gift of play to kids in need this holiday season with a special tweet on #GivingTuesday. For every retweet of Shaquille’s #PlayItForward tweet on December 1, the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund will donate one toy to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, up to $125,000 worth of toys.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation once again to provide toys to children who might otherwise go without one this holiday season,” said David Brandon, Chairman and CEO, Toys“R”Us, Inc. “We are honored to have Shaquille O’Neal back in his Santa suit, helping us #PlayItForward, and value his ongoing commitment to join us in spreading the joy of Christmas to kids in need around the country. Together, we’re enlisting the help of our team members and customers to donate more toys and dollars than ever before.”

The Great Big Shaq-A-Claus Wish List Makes Gifting Easy
Customers looking to #PlayItForward while shopping with Toys“R”Us, can view The Great Big Shaq-A-Claus Wish List, the official Toys for Tots gift registry filled with toy suggestions, such as crafts, play sets, electronics, plush and more. Parents and gift-givers can view The Great Big Shaq-A-Claus Wish List on the company’s dedicated hub at Toysrus.com/ToysforTots, where visitors can buy toys online and ship them directly to Toys for Tots. Additionally, the list can be printed in-store at designated Wish List kiosks or at the Customer Service Desk, providing shoppers a reference as they search for a toy to donate. All toys collected in-store are distributed to children in need within the particular community they are donated, making this a truly local program.

“For more than a decade, the support from Toys“R”Us has delivered happiness on Christmas mornings to the millions of U.S. children living in poverty,” said LtGen Pete Osman, USMC (Ret), President and CEO, Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “We are incredibly thankful to the company for joining us in our mission, and we urge Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us customers to help Shaq-A-Claus deliver a record-breaking year of fundraising. Each donation allows even more children to experience the magic of finding a gift under the tree.”

As the largest retail partner in the history of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Toys“R”Us has raised nearly $42 million and collected more than 4 million toys since the partnership began in 2004.

To view images and videos of this year’s campaign, please click here.

# # #

Media Contacts:
Toys“R”Us, Inc.
Samantha Xenis
973-617-5306
Samantha.Xenis@toysrus.com

Cheryl O’Brien
973-617-4380
Cheryl.Obrien@toysrus.com

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Toys“R”Us® launches its annual nationwide fundraising campaign to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation

Posted on August 24, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Associated Retail Operations to help make the dreams of Utah kids facing life-threatening illnesses come true

Macey’s, Fresh Market, Lin’s, Dan’s and Dick’s Market stores to help make wishes come true

SALT LAKE CITY, 2015-8-24— /EPR Retail News/ — This year’s Star Icon fundraising campaign is in full swing and Associated Retail Operations (Macey’s, Fresh Market, Dan’s, Lin’s and Dick’s Markets) is aiming to help make the dreams of Utah kids facing life-threatening illnesses come true.

ARO stores will rally together to create a little “wish magic” as they raise funds by selling blue star icons for a $1 or more donation. Thanks to the dedication of each ARO store, their team members and considerate customers, the proceeds from each star icon donation will help grant the heartfelt wishes of Utah children.

“Fundraising for Make-A-Wish means so much to our store teams. There is a bit of competitive comradery that takes place— each store team tries to grant one more wish than the other, which is wonderful to see. Ultimately, we are thrilled to help make the wishes of local children come true, as we know that wishes provide needed joy and hope to wish families.,” said Sarah Pettit, Associated Retail Operations spokesperson.

“Over the past five years, Associated Retail Operations has been instrumental in helping raise funds to grant the wishes of our Utah kids”, says Jared Perry, Make-A-Wish Utah’s CEO. “The dedication and excitement of their team members and guests translates into a true community wide effort to bring hope, strength and joy into the lives of many. We are energized by their enthusiasm for sharing the power of a wish and are excited to be partnering with them again this year.”

The annual Star Icon Campaign is Make-A-Wish Utah’s largest external fundraising event. Over the last five years, ARO stores have raised more than $343,000 and have helped grant the wishes of approximately 68 Utah kids.

This year’s campaign will run from August 17, to September 5, 2015.

About Make-A-Wish® Utah
Make-A-Wish® Utah grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Located at its facility in Murray, A Wishing Place, MAWU offers a life-affirming wish experience at a time of critical need. For more information about MAWU, visit http://www.utah.wish.org

About Associated Retail Operations
Associated Retail Operations is a group of corporate stores owned by Associated Food Stores, an independent retailer-owned warehouse based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The corporate stores operate under five different banners: Macey’s, Fresh Market, Dan’s, Lin’s and Dick’s Markets. Learn more about Associated Retail Operations by visiting their websites: maceys.com,freshmarketstores.com, dansfoods.com, linsmarketplace.com, dicksmarket.com. Associated Food Stores can be found at afstores.com.

# # #

Media Contacts:

Sarah Pettit– Communication Manager
scpettit@afstores.com | (801) 978-8948 | (801) 916-1070

Kelly Wolfe – Communication Manager
kwolfe@utah.wish.org | (801) 305-1935 | (201) 233-4645

Posted on May 29, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Toys“R”Us launches its fifth consecutive fundraising campaign to benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation™, May 30 – July 31

Company Hosts Nationwide In-Store Fundraising and Social Media Awareness Program to Help Find a Cure for Pediatric Cancer

Wayne, NJ, 2015-5-29 — /EPR Retail News/ — Toys“R”Us, Inc. today announced the launch of its fifth consecutive fundraising campaign to benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation™(ALSF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for childhood cancer. Beginning this Saturday, May 30 through Friday, July 31, monetary donations will be collected at all Toys“R”Us® and Babies“R”Us® stores nationwide and online at Toysrus.com/AlexsLemonade. Throughout the eight-week program, Toys“R”Us will once again invite social media users to show support for the cause and for Alexandra “Alex” Scott, the inspiration behind ALSF whose motto was “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” by joining the conversation online using #Stir4ACure. To kick off the 2015 campaign, the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund, a public charity affiliated with Toys“R”Us, Inc., has provided a $100,000 grant to ALSF. Since the partnership began in 2011, Toys“R”Us and the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund, along with donations from customers, together have provided more than $8.5 million to the organization.

Click here to tweet: Host an official @Alexs Lemonade stand or visit any @Toysrus store to donate and help #Stir4ACure! Toysrus.com/AlexsLemonade

Diagnosed just before her first birthday, Alex Scott began hosting lemonade stands at only 4 years old with a mission to find a cure for pediatric cancer. Before she died at the age of 8 in 2004, Alex raised $1 million through stands hosted in her name. Her parents, Liz and Jay Scott, established ALSF in 2005 to continue her dream of finding a cure for all children battling cancer. Alex’s mission has evolved into a national movement, with thousands of kids continuing to host lemonade stands in her honor and “stirring” the most important ingredients of all into their lemonade – hope for the 263,000 new children affected by cancer worldwide each year. Through research projects, supporting families and encouraging kids to help other kids in need by hosting lemonade stands, the organization hopes to aid these children and their loved ones, and – ultimately – find a cure. To date, Alex’s legacy has helped raise more than $100 million.

“We are extremely thankful to Toys“R”Us for their commitment to ALSF and providing us the ability to fund pediatric cancer research projects over the last five years, which has made an enormous impact on the lives of children and families fighting cancer in the U.S.,” said Liz Scott, Alex’s mom and Co-Executive Director for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. “As we kick off another year of partnership together, we look forward to continuing Alex’s mission and giving people across the country an opportunity to help ‘Stir for a Cure.’”

“Since first partnering with ALSF in 2011, all of us at Toys“R”Us have been continually inspired by the mission that Alex set in motion, and how her story has motivated our customers, employees and local communities, to help raise more than $8.5 million for the organization,” said Kathleen Waugh, Chairman, Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund. “We are committed to the fight against pediatric cancer and determined to not only raise more funds that will be vital to ALSF in advancing its efforts, but also to inspire others to join the cause.”

Toys“R”Us Engages Kids and Families to #Stir4ACure

To commemorate this year’s partnership, Toys“R”Us will once again encourage its customers and local communities to show support for ALSF through the company’s #Stir4ACure initiative. Beginning today, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram users can share who or what they stir for – whether it’s a cure, a family member or all children fighting cancer – using #Stir4ACure.

Throughout the campaign, the Toys“R”Us Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages will highlight ALSF heroes, their own inspirational stories and personal connections to the cause. The company’s official social media channels will also provide ongoing fundraising updates and opportunities to get involved.

Toys“R”Us is also inviting customers to participate in an upcoming Twitter Party to learn more about ALSF. Those who follow @ToysRUs on Twitter can join the conversation on Tuesday, July 14 at 2pm EST, during a chat led by@Alexs Lemonade, using the hashtag #Stir4ACure. Participants can ask questions, receive advice on hosting their own lemonade stand and more.

To download high-resolution images related to the Toys“R”Us campaign benefitting ALSF, please visit: https://toysrus.sharefile.com/d-sb4d7551e8ce41458

About Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). In 2000, 4-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of supporters across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $100 million toward fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure, funding over 475 pediatric cancer research projects nationally. For more information on Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, visit AlexsLemonade.org.

# # #

Media Contacts:
Toys”R”Us, U.S.
Samantha Xenis
973-617-5306/646-366-8826
Samantha.Xenis@toysrus.com

Cheryl O’Brien
973-617-4380/646-366-8825
Cheryl.Obrien@toysrus.com

Posted on January 16, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Toys“R”Us annual nationwide fundraising campaign to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation raised $6.4 million and collected 220,000 toys

Additionally, Shaquille O’Neal (a.k.a. Shaq-A-Claus) Rallied Toys“R”Us Customers to #PlayItForward Across the Country, Delivering More Than 220,000 Toys to Kids in Need this Holiday Season

Wayne, NJ, 2015-1-16 — /EPR Retail News/ — Toys“R”Us® today announced that its annual nationwide fundraising campaign to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was its most successful to date, raising $6.4 million and collecting more than 220,000 toys, helping bring holiday joy to kids in need across the U.S. During the 2014 campaign, customers helped make Christmas a little merrier by donating new, unwrapped toys at Toys“R”Us® and Babies“R”Us® stores nationwide through monetary contributions made in stores and online at Toysrus.com/ToysforTots.

“The record-breaking success of this year’s campaign illustrates the true generosity of our customers and the passion our employees have for making kids’ holiday dreams a reality through our partnership with Toys for Tots,” said Kathleen Waugh, Chairman, Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund. “We are once again honored to assist the organization in creating a magical experience for some of the 14.7 million children living in poverty in the U.S who may have otherwise gone without a toy to open on Christmas morning.”

As part of this year’s campaign, NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal (a.k.a Shaq-A-Claus) and Toys“R”Us encouraged customers to participate in the #PlayItForward Challenge by taking and sharing the ultimate “un-selfie” – a photo of themselves donating a toy to Toys for Tots at Toys“R”Us stores. For each selfie shared using the dedicated hashtag, Toys“R”Us donated a toy (or the equivalent cash value) to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. As a result, hundreds of big-hearted kids and families participated by posting their #PlayItForward selfies across social media, helping provide even more children with toys on Christmas.

And, on #GivingTuesday, a global event and social media movement dedicated to giving back that took place on Tuesday, December 2, Toys“R”Us donated two toys to Toys for Tots for every donation selfie posted on social media using #PlayItForward.

“For the past six years, I have been proud to partner with Toys“R”Us and inspired by the millions of helpers who have joined us in our efforts to bring joy to families in need during the holidays through Toys for Tots,” said Shaquille O’Neal. “This year, I came with a mission to #PlayItForward and raise even more funds and toys for kids in need, and I am thrilled to officially declare, mission accomplished! I want to send a Shaq-mongous thank you to everyone who participated in the Challenge – with your help, we were able to make the holidays a little brighter for so many.”

Additionally, hundreds of online shoppers purchased and donated toys from The Great Big Shaq-A-Claus Wish List, which were shipped directly to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to be distributed to children this holiday season.

As the largest retail partner in the history of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Toys“R”Us has now raised over $41.9 million and collected more than 4 million toys since the partnership began in 2004. To kick off this year’s campaign, the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund, a public charity affiliated with Toys“R”Us, Inc., provided a $225,000 grant to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. The Shaq-A-Claus #PlayItForward Challenge was also supported by the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund.

Charitable Giving at Toys“R”Us

The philanthropic mission of Toys“R”Us, Inc. and the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund is to keep children safe and help them in times of need. The Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund contributes millions of dollars annually to various children’s organizations, including those providing disaster relief to victims of large-scale crises, as well as those supporting America’s military families. The Fund also provides grants to leading special needs organizations, furthering the company’s commitment to children of all abilities. In addition to financial and product donations, Toys“R”Us, Inc. hosts in-store and online fundraising campaigns annually that raise millions of dollars for the company’s signature philanthropic partners.

# # #
Media Contacts:
Toys“R”Us, Inc.
Nicole Hayes
973-617-4371
Nicole.Hayes@toysrus.com

Jessica Offerjost
973-617-4766
Jessica.Offerjost@toysrus.com