Rite Aid Foundation Joins RACHAEL RAY Show in Supporting Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program with $25,000 KidCents Donation
Foundation Also Donates $5,000 Worth of Assorted School, Office,
First Aid and Cleaning Supplies
CAMP HILL, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Rite Aid Foundation’s KidCents program announced today a $25,000
donation to the Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program, a Detroit-based
nonprofit that empowers Detroit youth to be positive and productive
members of society through education, athletics, mentorship and
intervention. The donation, which was announced during today’s episode
of RACHAEL RAY, will support program operations as it works
towards helping its students stay on the right path through mentorship
and academics. The Rite Aid Foundation also provided the organization
with $5,000 worth of school, office, first aid and cleaning supplies.
“It’s clear that Rachael Ray shares Rite Aid’s core value of being a
caring neighbor, which is why we are thrilled to partner with her in
supporting the Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program,” said Ken Martindale,
CEO of Rite Aid stores, president of Rite Aid Corporation and president
of The Rite Aid Foundation. “This unique organization is truly making a
difference in the lives of every child who walks through its doors and
we hope our donation will help them continue serving Detroit youth
through the coming year.”
The Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program (DBG) is a free after school
educational resource for Detroit youth. The organization currently
serves 110 students between the ages of 5 and 18, with more than 600 on
a waiting list. To date, the organization has seen a 100% high school
graduation rate and most of those students go on to college. For more
information, visit DBGYP.org.
“Thanks to the generous donation provided to us by The Rite Aid
Foundation we are able to help our members learn, grow and realize their
full potential,” said Khali Sweeney, Founder of Downtown Boxing Gym
Youth Program. “Partners like The Rite Aid Foundation and Rachael Ray
are helping us positively impact each and every child we have the
opportunity to work with, promoting our children’s long-term health and
the stability of the overall community.”
In Michigan, Rite Aid employs more than 4,300 at its 274 stores and
distribution center, including 183 associates at its 11 stores in the
city of Detroit.
KidCents was developed by The Rite Aid Foundation to provide Rite Aid
customers an opportunity to do even more to help the kids in the
communities Rite Aid serves. Through KidCents, members of Rite Aid’s wellness+
with Plenti program can round up their in-store or online purchases
to the nearest dollar and give their change to one of more than 360
nonprofit organizations focused on improving the health and wellbeing of
children.
Nonprofit organizations interested in participating in The Rite Aid
Foundation’s KidCents program can visit www.kidcents.com/apply
to submit an application. To be eligible, an organization must be
classified as exempt from federal tax under section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Service Code and meet the KidCents program guidelines.
For more information, visit www.kidcents.com.
Since its inception in 2001, The Rite Aid Foundation has awarded more
than $25 million to non-profit organizations. Additionally, Rite Aid,
through the efforts of its customers, supplier partners and associates,
has also raised more than $75 million for Children’s Miracle Network
Hospitals across the country since 1994.
Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation’s leading
drugstore chains with nearly 4,600 stores in 31 states and the District
of Columbia and fiscal 2016 annual revenues of $30.7 billion.
Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press
releases, is available through the company’s website at www.riteaid.com.
Since 2007, Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program, – now housed at 6445 E.
Vernor Highway – has provided a safe haven for children ages 5 to 18.
Much more than just boxing, Founder and Program Director Khali Sweeney
developed a place for students to learn how to study through tutoring, a
gym that teaches discipline through boxing and a community center that
instills pride in all who participate through voluntary service. For
more information, visit DBGYP.org.
You can also like them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/downtownboxing
and follow them on Twitter https://twitter.com/dtownboxingprog.
Now in its 10th season, RACHAEL RAY is a daily,
one-hour, syndicated show and among the top-ranked daytime programs on
television and was the No. 1 syndicated strip launched in the 2006-07
season. RACHAEL RAY won the Outstanding Talk
Show-Entertainment Emmy® in 2009 and 2008 and was nominated for one 2015
Daytime Emmy® award, five 2014 Daytime Emmy® awards, a 2013 Daytime
Emmy® award, three 2012 Daytime Emmy® awards, two 2011 Daytime Emmy®
awards, and three 2010 Daytime Emmy® awards. RACHAEL RAY is
distributed and produced by CBS Television Distribution in association
with Harpo Productions, Scripps Networks and Watch Entertainment. Janet
Annino is the Executive Producer. CBS Television Distribution is a unit
of CBS Corp.
Contacts
The Rite Aid Foundation
Kristin Kellum, 717-975-5713
kristin.kellum@riteaid.com
