Carter's Helps Warm Up Bedtime With 50,000 Pairs of Pajamas for Children in Need

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) ATLANTA, GA - October 4, 2011 - Carter’s, Inc., the leading provider of baby and young children’s apparel, today launched “Cuddles from Carter’s,” a program to provide clothing to children in extreme need.  As part of the program, Carter’s has committed to donate 50,000 pairs of pajamas to the Pajama Program, a national non-profit organization that delivers new pajamas and books to children in foster care, temporary housing and homeless shelters. 

In addition to its contribution of pajamas, Carter’s is reaching out to its customers to raise awareness about the mission of the Pajama Program and give them the opportunity to help. Beginning October 3rd, customers who shop at a Carter’s store or online at carters.com can help the Pajama Program by adding a cash donation to their purchase upon checkout. All customer donations will go directly to the Pajama Program. In-store donations can be made through October 17th; online donations continue through December 31st. 

The “Cuddles from Carter’s” donation drive comes at a critical time for the Pajama Program. October 1st marks the beginning of “Danger Season,” which continues through March and is the most difficult time for the children served by the Pajama Program. Many of these children have been abused, abandoned or neglected and live in group homes, shelters, or temporary housing without adequate heat. 

“Temperatures are dropping and at night these kids are afraid and lonely. Our children feel like they don’t belong anywhere or to anyone.” explains Pajama Program founder Genevieve Piturro. “We need everyone's help to keep them warm and feeling loved.”  

 “At Carter’s, we are focused on the needs of young children. We are proud to be working with Pajama Program to clothe children in extreme need,” said Michael D. Casey, Carter’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We hope our customers will join us in reaching out to help children at risk this winter.” 

Statistics on Children & Homelessness: 

Recent studies from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Family Homelessness Organization show that the number of children who are need in the United States, many of whom are without parents or permanent homes, is growing due to the difficult economy and home foreclosures. 

§  In the United States, more than 500,000 children are currently living in a shelter or foster care[1]

§  Among industrialized nations, the United States has the largest number of homeless women and children[2]

§  Homeless families comprise roughly one third of the total homeless population with 42% of the children in homeless families under the age of six[3]

About Carter's, Inc.

Carter’s, Inc. is a leading provider of apparel and related products exclusively for babies and young children.  The Company owns the Carter’s and OshKosh B’Gosh brands, two of the most recognized brands in the marketplace.  These brands are sold in leading department stores, national chains, and specialty retailers domestically and internationally.  The brands are also sold through more than 500 Company-operated stores and on-line at www.carters.com and www.oshkoshbgosh.com.  The Company’s Just One You, Precious Firsts, and Genuine Kids brands are available at Target, and its Child of Mine brand is available at Walmart.  Carter’s is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.  Additional information may be found at www.carters.com and www.oshkoshbgosh.com.

About The Pajama Program

The Pajama Program is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to delivering new, warm pajamas and books to children in need, many who are without parents and/or permanent homes. The Pajama Program serves children ranging in age from newborn to 18 who live in group homes, shelters and temporary housing and may have never enjoyed the simple comfort of a parent who puts them to bed at night with warm, clean pajamas and a story. Some of the children served by the organization live with their families below the poverty level, in desperate need of food, clothing and adequate shelter. Since 2001, The Pajama Program has provided one million new pajamas and books to children nationwide. The Pajama program has 70 chapters in 42 states and operates three Reading Centers in New York, Yonkers, NY and Red Bank, N.J. To learn more, visit www.pajamaprogram.org.

 

Media Contacts  Tanya Coventry-Strader   Director of Philanthropic Strategy, Carter’s      404-407-3157       tanya.coventry-strader@carters.com       Claire Duplantier MSLGROUP 404-870-6806 claire.duplantier@mslgroup.com

                                     

1)  Annie E. Casey Foundation, Data Book  2011 

2) Family Homelessness Organization, 201

3) Family Homelessness Organization, 2011

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