Leading Retailers and Brands Collaborate to Empower America’s Youth ahead of Back-to-School Season
Press Release
ATLANTA (July 31, 2024) – As students prepare to return to school, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the nation’s leading youth development organization, proudly announces steadfast commitments from nearly 20 partners as part of the organization’s annual back-to-school campaign, “Raise Your Hand”, which runs now through September. Boys & Girls Clubs of America and each dedicated supporter are ensuring students have the resources they need to excel both in and out of the classroom as the 2024-2025 school year rapidly approaches.
The yearly back-to-school campaign brings together Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s partners to support its mission through various fundraising initiatives, including product donations, round-up programs and direct contribution campaigns. “Prep Rally” style kickoff events, hosted by retail partners, will also generate excitement and encouragement for students returning to school.
The more than three million Club kids nationwide are living proof that participation in structured out-of-school programs significantly enhances behavior, attendance, graduation rates and overall academic performance. Through this campaign, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s goal is to raise $10 million to support its Great Futures initiative, ensuring every child receives the social, educational and emotional support needed to flourish.
“At Boys & Girls Clubs of America, our mission is to inspire and enable all young people to reach their full potential,” said Jim Clark, president & CEO. “This back-to-school season, with the incredible support of our partners, we are more committed than ever to ensuring that every young person across our 5,400 Club locations has the resources and support they need to flourish.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of America, renowned for meeting young people where they are, remains steadfast in its mission to help kids and teens across the nation thrive. Offering safe environments, dedicated mentors and meaningful programs and experiences, the Clubs equip youth with the skills they need to excel in school, careers and life. The Clubs provide a supportive space where students receive homework assistance, engage in enriching activities and build positive relationships with peers and mentors. These experiences help youth develop critical life skills including resilience, leadership and creativity.
The following partners are providing unique opportunities for customers to support Boys & Girls Clubs of America this back-to-school season:
adidas
Beginning July 15, adidas stores will invite customers to round-up or donate to support Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Bridgestone Retail Operations
The Bridgestone Retail Operations Driving Great Futures partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America is continuing to make out-of-school programming more accessible to Club youth and their families by addressing transportation and technology needs. Visit a Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, Hibdon Tires Plus, or Wheel Works store to donate.
Caesars Entertainment
Beginning August through December, Caesars Entertainment will invite guests to donate change when cashing out their slot tickets to support Boys & Girls Clubs of America through the Company’s ‘Caesars Makes Change’ program.
Comcast NBCUniversal
Comcast NBCUniversal is a long-time supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs of America through Project UP, the company’s $1B commitment to connect people to the Internet and advance economic mobility for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators. This year Comcast NBCUniversal is also a proud media partner of the back-to-school campaign, “Raise Your Hand.”
Cox Enterprises
Through a decades-long partnership, Cox has proudly supported Boys & Girls Clubs of America in its commitment to building great futures for America’s youth and leveling the playing field for all kids. To kick off the back-to-school season, Manheim by Cox Automotive auction locations and select Cox offices across the country will pack backpacks full of school supplies and raise essential funding for their local clubs. In alignment with Cox’s goal to empower 34 million people to live more prosperous lives by 2034, the funds will help break down educational barriers that prevent people from entering the workforce and support students in achieving their potential.
Family Dollar
Family Dollar and Boys & Girls Clubs of America are partnering to empower Club youth to create positive change in their communities by giving them the resources, opportunities and support to Do More to impact the world around them. Together with their associates, brand partners, and customers, Family Dollar is donating more than $2.5 million this year to empower Club youth to be changemakers. Customers can join in supporting Club youth by donating $1, $2 or $3 dollars at the register now through Sept. 8.
Forever 21
Forever 21 has worked hand-in-hand with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to support programs that drive equity and opportunity for all youth. Since partnering in 2020, Forever 21 has raised over $8M to the organization, making a huge impact for kids, families, and communities nationwide. This back-to-school season Forever 21 is inviting customers to shop in-stores now through Sept. 3 to round-up their purchases to the nearest dollar amount at checkout to donate to Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Kids Foot Locker
Kids Foot Locker will invite customers from July through September to “Add a Buck” to their total. The top performing stores will give pass-through to local Clubs for a pizza party and funding.
Kohl’s
Kohl’s Cares is committed to giving back to local communities during back to school and all year. Browse Kohl’s selection of Kohl’s Cares Goods for Good books and plush toys, with 100% of the net profit supporting the health and wellness of families nationwide.
Lenovo
Lenovo’s investment in Boys & Girls Clubs of America will allow Clubs to re-engage teen populations lost during the pandemic, provide technology and training to Club staff and teens, and ensure their support for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education drives positive change.
Leslie’s
From May 7 through October 31, 2024, Leslie’s is accepting customer donations online and in more than 1,000 stores across the nation to support water safety and drowning prevention programs with 100% of all proceeds split equally between Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the American Red Cross. Within the past three years, Leslie’s has raised and donated more than $1.5 million for such programs, with the funds fueling local initiatives in communities across the U.S.
Murphy USA
‘Great Futures Fueled Here’ is Murphy USA’s signature cause campaign. It has been instrumental in helping Boys & Girls Clubs of America provide programming and resources that create positive experiences for young people. The campaign gives customers the opportunity to make a monetary contribution of $1, $3, $5, or $10 dollars or round up their purchases to the nearest dollar amount at checkout.
The campaign occurs at all Murphy USA and Murphy Express sites across 27 states and will run from Aug. 7 through Nov. 5, 2024. All proceeds will support Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s mission to support back to school and enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Sharpie® and Paper Mate®
This back-to-school season, iconic brands Sharpie and Paper Mate are proud to partner with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to empower the next generation. By providing essential school supplies and supporting dynamic Club arts programs, Sharpie and Paper Mate are not just preparing kids and teens for academic success— they’re sparking imagination, encouraging creative expression, and building the courage kids need to thrive both in and out of the classroom. Join Sharpie and Paper Mate in making a lasting impact on young minds this school year.
Panda Express
Panda Cares, the philanthropic arm of Panda Express, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year on Panda Cares Day, August 8th. In celebration of Panda Cares Day, throughout the month of August, Panda Express associates will celebrate with over 90 Clubs, providing them with delicious Panda meals, gifting brand-new reading books, and Panda swag, as well as other fun-filled celebrations and resources to help kick-off the back-to-school season. Thanks to the generosity of Panda guests’ and associates’ donations, since 2020, Panda Cares has committed more than $51 million in support to Boys & Girls Clubs, with a focus on increasing the quality of academic success programming in Clubs through the support of Project Learn and establishing Panda Cares Centers of Hope. In 2024, Panda Cares support will provide more than $11.6M in funding to support Project Learn, establish 42 new Centers of Hope, and launch the Panda Cares Scholars Program for Boys & Girls Clubs.
PUMA
PUMA is excited to continue in another year of partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to support local youth. This back-to-school season, customers can donate to Boys & Girls Clubs of America at PUMA outlet stores. The fun doesn’t stop there, with exclusive cobranded merchandise launching this fall, including a limited-edition t-shirt and shoes. Additionally, PUMA employees will volunteer at local Clubs, enriching the lives of children nationwide. Customers are invited to join PUMA in making a difference!
Shell
Beginning Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, Shell will host the Giving Pump campaign. The Giving Pump program enables Shell wholesalers to donate a portion of sales from specially marked purple pumps throughout the US, giving back to communities. In 2024, Shell wholesalers can designate Boys & Girls Clubs of America as the recipient of their Giving Pump donations. Contributions generated through this initiative will directly fund diverse programs aimed at enriching the lives of Club members. For consumers, it’s never been easier to play a part and comes at no additional cost or effort. The next time you’re running on empty, simply pick the Purple Pump at a participating Shell station, and know that by fueling up your vehicle, you’re also fueling up your community. Download the Shell App or visit shell.us to find a participating station near you.
Shoe Carnival
Now through Sept. 2, Shoe Carnival invites customers to round up at check-out to support Boys & Girls Clubs of America. To support the back-to-school campaign, visit your local Shoe Carnival store, or visit shoecarnival.com to find a store near you. The best of back to school at Shoe Carnival.
T-Mobile
Boys & Girls Clubs of America is excited to work with T-Mobile to provide thousands of children heading back to school with access to reliable connectivity through Project 10Million — the Un-carrier’s $10.7 billion initiative aimed at closing the digital divide for students across the United States. Through the collaboration, at select Boys & Girls Club of America Organizations across multiple states, T-Mobile will facilitate sign-ups for free internet connectivity and mobile hotspots through T-Mobile’s Project 10Million to eligible student households, so students can learn and thrive in our increasingly digital world.
For additional information on Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the back-to-school campaign, please visit https://www.bgca.org/.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Over 5,400 Clubs serve more than 3 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. The national headquarters is located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and X.
Media Contacts
Eliza Lynch
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
203-522-7010
elynch@bgca.org
