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New York, NY (August 24, 2006) – NYC & Company President and CEO Cristyne L. Nicholas, Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein and Fund for Public Schools Vice Chair Caroline Kennedy, joined by a group of children, today announced the kick-off of the third annual Shop 4 Class back-to-school retail promotion at American Girl Place with a special reading from the book Molly Learns a Lesson. Shop 4 Class supports public school libraries and showcases New York City as the Shopping Capital of the World will run for two weeks, August 25 through September 8, 2006, just in time for back-to-school season. Joining the press conference were fashion designer Cynthia Rowley and Kevin Carey, Vice President of Establishment Services at American Express, the founding sponsor of the program.
Co-produced by NYC & Company, the city’s official tourism marketing organization and the Fund for Public Schools, the non-profit organization affiliated with the New York City Department of Education, Shop 4 Class will feature more than 80 participating retail locations, a kick-off concert in City Hall Park sponsored by J & R Music and Computer World, a series of exciting in-store events and giveaways, and for the first-time, will feature Clifford the Big Red Dog® in all Shop 4 Class promotional materials.
All Shop 4 Class retailers support the improvement of New York City public school libraries through a contribution to the Fund for Public Schools. Among this year’s participants are American Girl Place, Asprey, Berkley Girl, Bond No. 9, Fish’s Eddy, Gracious Home, Lexington Jewelry & Watches, Macy’s Herald Square, Nicole Miller, Super Runners and Wempe Jewelers. Shop 4 Class is made possible through the generous support of Founding Sponsor American Express, Broadcasting Partner NBC4, Media Partner New York magazine and Publishing Partner Scholastic Inc.
“Shop 4 Class provides a wonderful way for every New Yorker, and many of New York City’s leading retailers, to support New York City’s public schools,” said NYC Schools Chancellor Joel I Klein. “By supporting the improvement of public school libraries, we enrich the learning experience of students now and in years to come.”
“Once again, a broad array of New York’s most prominent retailers is showing their support for New York City’s public schools,” said Caroline Kennedy, Vice Chair of the Fund for Public Schools. “Shop 4 Class offers a great opportunity for the retail community and all New Yorkers to join together and support the improvement of our public school libraries. We are grateful to all of the participating retailers for demonstrating their commitment to improving learning opportunities for New York City public school students.”
“Shop 4 Class raises critical funds for public school libraries and also highlights the diverse retail community in New York City, the Shopping Capital of the World. This successful retail promotion is a prime example of effective corporate-community collaboration. Shoppers can feel a little less guilty about those impulse buys knowing that they are helping to make our schools better,” said NYC & Company President and CEO Cristyne L. Nicholas.
“American Express is proud to join our partners to help bring the joy of reading and learning to New York City’s public schoolchildren, “said Kevin Carey, vice president, American Express Establishment Services. “Shop 4 Class is a great example of the generosity and civic spirit of New York’s merchant community.”
Shop 4 Class Generates Excitement for Consumers
This year, Shop 4 Class offers consumers additional incentives to get involved in the charitable campaign. A series of exciting events and in-store giveaways are planned to support the citywide retail promotion.
To kick off Shop 4 Class, J & R Music and Computer World will sponsor a free public concert performance by Corinne Bailey Rae and Freddy Jackson in City Hall Park on Thursday, August 24 at 5pm. In addition, J&R is offering shoppers who purchase $250 or more a CD player. The retail offer is exclusive to American Express Cardmembers.
On Saturday, September 2 from 3 to 5pm, The Scholastic Store (557 Broadway) will host “Meet Clifford the Big Red Dog” and give a free Shop 4 Class tote bag with purchase. A beloved and classic character, Clifford is the perfect mascot for a back-to-school campaign. The offer is exclusive to American Express Cardmembers.
American Girl Place (609 Fifth Ave.) presents a reading of Molly Learns a Lesson on Tuesday, September 5 from 4:30 to 5:30pm and will offer a copy of The Best I Can Be to children attending the reading.
Shoppers can enjoy a Fashion Week Preview at Sean John Fifth Avenue (475 Fifth Ave.) on Wednesday, September 6 from 7 to 9pm. The first 50 customers to make a purchase will receive a bottle of the fragrance Unforgivable. The offer is exclusive to American Express Cardmembers. Reservations to this event are required. Call 212-484-5425 to RSVP.
On September 7, from 4 to 6pm, Books of Wonder (18 W. 18th St.) will host a book signing and poetry reading with special guest Caroline Kennedy and illustrator Jon Muth. Shoppers who make a purchase of more than $50 will receive a free mug offer. From 6:30pm to 8:30pm Asprey (50 E. 57th St.) will also present a reading with Caroline Kennedy, and the first 50 customers to make a purchase will receive a signed copy of her book A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children. Reservations are required for the Asprey event. Call 212-484-5425 to RSVP. Both offers are exclusive to American Express Cardmembers.
From August 25 through September 8, Nicole Miller (77 Greene St. and 780 Madison Ave.) invites shoppers to enter to win two tickets to the Nicole Miller Fashion Week Show.
Borders (Shops at Columbus Circle) will be hosting two in-store events during Shop 4 Class. On Saturday August 26, at 4pm there is story time and a signing event with Alan Katz for his book, Are You Quite Polite? On Sunday, August 27 at 2:00pm, there is story time with Illustrator Betsy Lewin.
Successful Results for Shop 4 Class
Since its inception, Shop 4 Class has raised more than $160,000 for New York City public school libraries. In 2004, Shop 4 Class funds purchased more than 30,000 library books for K-3 public school classrooms. Funds raised from Shop 4 Class 2005 and 2006 will support Library REACH (Revitalizing Education for Adolescents and Children), the Fund for Public Schools’ system-wide competitive grant program that enables every public school in New York City to apply for up to $10,000 to improve their libraries. Library REACH is based on the idea that a small amount of money – when strategically placed in the hands of an enthusiastic librarian and a principal with vision – can transform a public school library into a learning center for the entire school community.
Shop 4 Class also helps shine a spotlight on New York City as the Shopping Capital of the World. For millions of visitors who travel to New York City each year, shopping continues to be the top attraction. In fact, visitor shopping alone accounts for nearly $2 billion that is spent directly in New York City’s retail community.
New York City tourism is a $24 billion industry which generates more than $5 billion in city, state and federal tax revenues further supporting essential services including the police and fire departments, public education, sanitation services and transportation infrastructure. Visitor spending supports nearly 300,000 jobs in all five boroughs.
For more information about all Shop 4 Class events and a full list of participating retailers, log on to nycvisit.com/s4c or visit New York City’s Official Visitor Information Center at 810 Seventh Avenue at 53rd Street, the kiosks located in Lower Manhattan at City Hall Park, and in Chinatown at the triangle where Canal, Walker and Baxter Streets meet.
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About NYC & Company: NYC & Company, the city’s official tourism marketing organization, is a private, membership-based non-profit dedicated to building New York City’s economy and positive image through tourism and convention development, major events and the marketing of the city on a worldwide basis. For more information visit nycvisit.com or call 212-484-1222.
About the Fund for Public Schools: The Fund for Public Schools is the nonprofit organization affiliated with the New York City Department of Education (DOE). The Fund plays a pivotal role in improving public education in New York City by strengthening the DOE’s relationship with the private sector and supporting system-wide reforms. Working with the DOE’s Office of Strategic Partnerships, the Fund secures critical funding for education reform initiatives; helps businesses create partnerships and programs to support city schools; and reaches out to the entire city to create awareness about the needs of the public schools. For more information about the Fund for Public Schools, visit www.fundforpublicschools.org
Shop 4 Class 2006 Participating Retailers Include: