Article from Business Wire - July 6, 2005
Disney Store Spearheads Nationwide Back-To-School Customer Donation Program Benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of America; Children Will Receive Backpacks and Lunch Totes Featuring Their Favorite Disney Characters

GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 6, 2005--Disney Store announced today that it will spearhead a nationwide back-to-school promotion next month, paving the way for consumers to help donate much-needed school supplies to local Boys & Girls Clubs. The promotion will be held July 23 and 24, the unofficial kick-off of the back-to-school shopping season, at more than 300 Disney Stores across North America.

During the weekend donation program, Disney Store customers can purchase two backpacks for $20 (regularly $14.50 each) or two lunch totes for $15 (regularly $9.50 each) and one of the items will be donated to local Boys & Girls Clubs. This is a great opportunity for parents to teach their kids about giving back to the community by donating school supplies to children in need.

Disney Store backpacks and lunch totes feature characters from JoJo's Circus and Disney Princess for girls, and The Incredibles and Power Rangers for boys. Disney Store back-to-school accessories are popular with kids because they're fun, colorful and functional. Disney characters are especially comforting to small children starting a new school year - particularly those beginning school for the first time.

"We wanted to make a difference for kids on a grass-roots level and provide school supplies that children really need," said Mario Ciampi, President of Disney Store. "We thought it would be a great idea for our guests to become involved, so as to help their children learn about sharing with others who are less fortunate."

DisneyHand, worldwide outreach for The Walt Disney Company, will also be involved in the promotion, providing participating customers with a DisneyHand "Show Your Character" bookmark and sticker to commemorate the donation and to thank them for getting involved. Disney has long supported Boys & Girls Clubs and has donated more than $3 million to the organization this year alone.
North America Disney Store originated the themed retail environment when it opened its first store in Glendale, California in 1987. Disney Store currently operates over 300 locations in the United States and Canada that offer immediate access to magical Disney products. Disney Store is operated by a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCE), a leading specialty retailer of apparel and accessories for children.