Columbus Retailers “Reach Out” to Hospitalized Children

(via Blogspot) 

By Chris Alexis

Sometimes cuddling up with a good book can make a world of difference. That’s why two brands, Lane Bryant and Catherines, recently joined forces with their longtime charity partner, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, to donate more than 5,000 backpacks filled with supplies to Reach Out and Read – a non-profit affiliate program of the hospital that incorporates books into pediatric care and encourages families to read aloud together.

Those backpacks were loaded with personal care necessities. There was also a monetary donation toward producing the Reach Out and Read program’s “Literacy Toolkits”, a collection of materials and supplies to promote early literacy interactions in the home.  All in all, the backpacks and their contents had a whopping a $470K value!

But then again, you can’t put a price tag on the family time this will help produce.

Employees, along with their families and friends, congregated to give this gift to families facing impossible times.

“They were an integral part of this donation process and participated in everything from helping to create the designs of the backpacks, to stuffing them and packing them up for delivery,” said Kathy Quickert, plus segment assistant vice president of marketing operations.

But it wasn’t just the employees who made an impact. Their own children helped to design the backpacks — because no one understands kids better than kids!

“We received 30 submissions, which were voted on by patients at Nationwide Children’s,” she said. “The top three vote getters were printed on the bags.”

The parent company of the two brands, ascena, has a philanthropic goal to help women and children succeed in every aspect of life.

“This goal helps drive all of our charitable efforts,” she said.  “Kids need the support and that push to learn to read every single day, and if we can help them achieve this, while bringing joy to them, we will consider this donation a success.”

Reading is an essential ingredient for children developing. And you can help! It’s not too late by any means.

Visit this link for more information on volunteering, donating and advocating! You can help give these families a break from the stress. Help them gather around and share in a story together.

“Ascena is passionate about empowering women and children to be their very best, and with this program we are able to help inspire children who have limited access to the tools they need for success,” Quickert said. “This project is an important part of our larger partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital and we are so proud to be a part of this great cause!”