Donations of School Supplies Lead to Successful Future for Foster Kids
Sleep Country USA’s Annual School Supply Drive for Foster Kids on Now; Seeks Donations of New Notebooks, Backpacks, Calculators, Markers, Crayons and More
For Immediate Release
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SEATTLE – July 18, 2011 – Being equipped with the correct tools is always the first step to success, and for the 20,000 foster children throughout the Pacific Northwest, success in school is often tied to success as an adult. That’s why Sleep Country USA, the Northwest’s number one mattress store, is holding its annual School Supply Drive for foster kids. With the right tools – pencils and pens, notebooks, crayons, protractors, rulers, and calculators – foster kids will be better able to face scholastic challenges and statistics that suggest they are more likely to repeat a grade in elementary and secondary school.*
Starting today, July 18th, through Monday, September 5th, community members and businesses are encouraged to bring donations of new school supplies to any Sleep Country store throughout the Pacific Northwest region. The company delivers donations to its 15 non-profit foster organization partners who then distribute the supplies to foster families with school-age children.
“Foster children change schools frequently, and starting over means making new friends and learning to navigate a new environment,” said Heather Jefferis, executive director at Kinship House, one of Sleep Country’s foster care partners in Oregon. “Receiving encouragement from their communities, teachers, foster parents and efforts like Sleep Country’s Foster Kids program, helps foster children face these challenges with a little more confidence. And, having the right school supplies allows them keep up with their peers, focus on learning and fit in socially.”
In an annual effort to boost donations, Sleep Country has partnered again with Wild Waves Theme Park in Federal Way, Washington, to provide over 1,000 free tickets to foster families AND half-off admission to the general public in exchange for donations of school supplies at Wild Waves on Sunday, August 21st.
“The first day of school is a time of excitement and anxiety for every child – even those starting with the proper school supplies,” said Terry Horsley, Vice President of Brand Strategy for Sleep Country USA. “Our drive strives to provide foster children with the same first day experience as their peers. And it’s easy to participate – just pick up a few new school supplies while shopping and choose from one of our more than 70 locations to donate your items. We also encourage companies and organizations to host their own drives, and bring collected items to their nearest Sleep Country, or if the donation is just too big, we can pick it up!”
For those unable to shop this year, but who still want to help, cash donations to Sleep Country’s School Supply drive can be made online. All donations will be used to purchase school supplies and donated with items collected during the drive to our foster organization partners.
*According to 2009 statistical information provided by foster organization partner, Treehouse