Two Million Reasons And Counting: The UPS Store And Toys For Tots Continue To Deliver The Gift Of Reading

On Nov. 1, The UPS Store ^® will launch its holiday donation drive for the Toys for Tots Literacy Program, helping deliver the gift of reading to less fortunate children in the U.S.

Through Dec. 31, participating The UPS Store locations across the U.S. will sell donation cards to benefit the Toys for Tots Literacy Program, a year-round initiative of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Every dollar donated helps purchase books for less fortunate children in local communities throughout the U.S.

“Education is one of the keys to helping children become successful in life. During the holidays, The UPS Store hopes to make a positive impact by helping children break the cycle of poverty through literacy and education,” said Tim Davis, president of The UPS Store, Inc.

According to a 2011 study by the Brookings Institution, 22 percent of children are living in poverty. Through its holiday campaign, The UPS Store seeks to bring awareness to the issue of children’s literacy.

“Our nation’s less fortunate children deserve the resources to learn and experience the joy of reading,” said Lt. Gen. Pete Osman, USMC (Ret), President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “We are thrilled to be entering the fifth year of the Toys for Tots Literacy Program, providing children the gift of a book, which can leave a lasting impact even after the holidays are over.”

In addition to donating in-store, customers can go to The UPS Store Facebook page to make a donation directly to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and learn more about the Toys for Tots Literacy Program. The UPS Store locations will continue additional fundraising activities throughout the year, including a coin box program for customers to donate their spare change.

Since it began in 2008, The UPS Store has raised more than $2 million for Toys for Tots Literacy Program to purchase books for less fortunate children nationwide.

For more information on the Toys for Tots Literacy Program, please visit www.toysfortots.org/literacy. To find The UPS Store location nearest you, visit www.theupsstore.com.

About the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Now in its 65 ^th year, Toys for Tots provides joy and a message of hope to less fortunate children through the gift of a new toy or book during the Christmas holiday season. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.

About The UPS Store

With more than 4,700 locations in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada,  The UPS Store network comprises the world’s largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal, printing and business service centers. In the U.S.,  The UPS Store locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of The UPS Store, Inc., a subsidiary of UPS (NYSE:UPS). In Canada, locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of master licensee MBEC Communications, L.P. Services. Pricing and hours of operation may vary by location. For additional information on  The UPS Store, including information on franchise opportunities for  opening a The UPS Store location, visit  www.theupsstore.com.

Copyright Business Wire 2010