By Zanub Saeed
JCPenney launched its jcp cares charity initiative at the start of July, where every month for the rest of 2012, they will chose a nonprofit organization to fund, including USO.
Through jcp cares, JCPenney will ask consumers of the retail stores to round up their purchases to the nearest whole dollar, said a press release issued by the company on Monday, and donate that difference to the charity of the month through the program. In addition to receiving donations through customers' purchase price round-ups, JCPenney will also donate $1 to USO, the charity for the month of July as part as celebrating the Fourth of July and Independence Day, for every customer who checks into the store via social media website FourSquare throughout the movie, up to $50,000.
"Like JCPenney, the USO has a strong commitment to building community through our centers, dedicated staff and volunteers. Last year alone, the USO delivered goodness to over 3.6 million troops and their families at our USO Centers across the country," Sloan Gibson, president and chief executive officer of the USO, said for the press release. "We are honored to be JCPenney's premier charity partner as it officially launches its new charitable giving program this month. Without the support of the American people and companies like JCPenney, the USO couldn't be here today to lift the spirits of those who sacrifice so much for our country."
For August, JCPenney will help fund, as part of the back-to-school rush, the 4-H and Boys & Girls of America campaigns, which help up to 10 million children a year, said the press release. September's charity will be Teach for America, as part of the theme of the start of the school year.
October's fundraiser of choice will be The Breast Cancer Foundation, which continues to research to find a cure for the disease; November's charity will be Share Our Strength, to tie in with Thanksgiving, and help end childhood hunger in America, said the press release; and for December and Christmas nearing, JCPenney will donate to The Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign.
"As a company founded on the Golden Rule, JCPenney has a strong legacy of giving back. Through jcp cares, we'll be able to work with our customers to address some of the most pressing issues facing our communities today," Miki Woodard, president of jcp cares and vice president of philanthropy at JCPenney, was quoted as stating for the press release. "Whether it's improving education, supporting our troops, or making sure no child goes hungry, working together, we can become a powerful force for good."
