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The UPS Store and Mail Boxes ETC. Launch $1 Million
Toys for Tots Drive
Need greater than ever for 58-year holiday tradition
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 1, 2005 - The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. franchisees today
launched a nationwide campaign to raise $1 million for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.
More than 4,300 locations will be selling $1 donation cards, now through Friday, December 23.
All proceeds will go to local Toys for Tots programs.
"With the number of children living in low-income families continuing to rise, and the
catastrophic impact of the Gulf Coast hurricanes, this year the need is greater than ever,
"said Marine Toys for Tots Foundation President and CEO Matthew T. Cooper, retired Lt. Gen.
U.S.M.C. "We look at each toy as an opportunity to inspire youngsters to grow into responsible,
productive and patriotic citizens and community leaders."
To help launch the campaign, franchisor Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. contributed the first $50,000
toward the campaign's $1 million goal.
"We have shipped millions of
holiday packages over the past 25 years, but none as important as helping Toys for Tots deliver
smiles to children across the country," said Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. President Stuart Mathis.
"Given the critical need this year, our franchisees are united in their commitment to surpass
our goal and benefit as many children as possible."
According to U.S. Census
Bureau statistics, 17 percent (12 million) of our nation's children live below the federal
poverty level. Of these children, more than 40 percent (5 million) live in families with incomes
of less than half the poverty level.
It was facts like these that
compelled NASCAR legend Dale Jarrett to join the effort. "A dollar doesn't seem like much
these days,"he said. "But when you think of all the love and joy it could help deliver, it
suddenly feels like a million. We might not be able to eliminate poverty through this campaign,
but maybe we can lessen its pain and increase awareness at the same time."
For Jarrett, support for the
Toys for Tots campaign became a family affair. His three youngest children, Natalee (17),
Karsyn (15) and Zachary (10) designed a special paint scheme for his #88 UPS Ford. The motif
sports traditional holiday colors of red and green with hand-lettered elements and other designs
to make it look as if children themselves had painted the car. To complete the effect, Jarrett
will race in a matching bright green driving suit.
After Jarrett races the car on
Sunday, November 6, at Texas Motor Speedway, his autographed driver's suit will be posted on eBay,
with proceeds from the auction going to the Toys for Tots campaign. The posting, which will go live
on Sunday, November 13, will be facilitated by AuctionDrop, the first and only national eBay drop-off
consignment service. AuctionDrop is also donating its proceeds from this auction to Toys for Tots.
To support the Toys for Tots
effort even further, many The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. centers will be working with local
Toys for Tots coordinators to conduct in-center toy drives. For additional information, including
centers conducting toy drives, visit www.theupsstore.com
or www.mbe.com.
About The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots Program:
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, an IRS recognized 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit public charity
is the authorized fund raising and support organization for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.
The Foundation provides the funding and support needed for successful annual toy collection and distribution
campaigns. The foundation is located at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia. Local Marine Corps Reserve
units and volunteer organizations collect and distribute toys in nearly 500 communities covering all 50 states,
the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.theupsstore.com
10/11/05
Dale Jarrett Inc. is a collection site for the 2005 Toys for Tots program in conjunction with The UPS Stores.
Here are the details for those who would like to bring an unwrapped gift for needy children from ages birth-15
years.
COLLECTION DATES: October - December 22
DALE JARRETT INC.'S HOURS OF OPERATION:
10am-5pm (Mon-Fri), 10am-2pm (Sat)
GIFT NOTES:
- Bring new, unwrapped toys.
- Age appropriate gifts for ages 0-15 years
- Consider gifts for the "tweens" (ages 8-15) - Lots of times people think of babies or toddlers when they think toys, but the "tweens" group definitely needs items as well.
- Think of toys that stand alone as gifts themselves. Small items are often grouped together and packaged as one gift instead of as individual gifts.
- Think of toys that encourage positive play and are educational.
- Average gift price range is $12-$15.
ALL OF US AT DALE JARRETT INC THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION TO HELP BRING JOY TO A SPECIAL CHILD ON CHRISTMAS DAY.
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