INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — To support afterschool programs across the country, JC Penny launched a nationwide philanthropic campaign that invites customers to turn small change into “pennies from heaven” by rounding up their purchases and donating the difference to a local afterschool organization.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County is one of 1,100 afterschool organizations matched with a local JC Penny store that will benefit from the proceeds raised during the pennies from heaven campaign. As the leading corporate advocate for the afterschool issue, JC Penny is leveraging a cause marketing campaign to bolster national support through broadcast, print and online advertising as well as an engaging digital experience on jcp.com/pennies. The first pennies from heaven event will run through Saturday, August 27.
“With budget cuts in education, there’s never been a more important time to support afterschool programs as a valuable community resource that helps to bridge the education gap,” said Elizabeth Thomason, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County. “As customers shop for the Back-to-School season, we hope they will keep our mission in mind so that the social and academic learning opportunities we provide after school will continue to be available to students in Indian River County.”
National research shows that one out of four students in the U.S. is on their own between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. each day. The afterschool program offered at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County serves more than 2,000 students each year by involving them in programs that help kids develop social skills, provide opportunities to be physically active and achieve academic success in school.
“For more than a decade, JC Penny has been deeply committed to helping kids spread their wings by making it possible for more students to participate in life-enriching afterschool programs,” said Charlie Nardi, store manager for JC Penny. “When we leverage the power of a penny to create opportunities for learning, we can make a positive difference in the lives of our future leaders.”
For more information related to the pennies from heaven initiative, visit www.jcp.com/pennies.