Karen wrote this morning to point out that Jumpstart was mentioned in a story that started on the FRONT page of the New York Times today, about charitable giving through retail. They even pictured the American Eagle bracelets that helped them raise almost $300,000.
Stores Are Hoping to Do Well by Urging Shoppers to Do Good
By TRACIE ROZHON
Published: December 16, 2004
She also points out that "Spark Cards" are still available on their web site. Spark Cards are a great holiday gift (I just got one in the mail from my Aunt and Uncle for a birthday/Chanukkah present - thanks!) Spark Cards give "the gift of one-to-one reading to a child in need."
Children from low-income families lack essential one-to-one reading time, which is necessary for future success in school and in life. Children from middle-income backgrounds receive up to 1,700 hours of one-to-one reading before school while children from low-income backgrounds only receive 25 hours. This discrepancy leads to early inequalities in skills that persist and increase with time. A child’s performance in preschool is directly related to success later in his or her school career.
Its a wonderful way for your holiday gifts to make a real difference in someone's life.
Congrats again to Karen for all the great work she's doing there!
Posted by Emily at December 16, 2004 08:07 AM