JA TAKES ON AMERICA’S GIVING CHALLENGE

January 10, 2008

[Springfield, MA] Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts is taking on the challenge to win $50,000 from Parade Magazine. The goal is to have the most donors out of all participating charities. Parade Magazine in partnership with the Case Foundation is presenting America’s Giving Challenge. The objective of the Challenge is to introduce new ways of giving and connecting with others. The Challenge is not focused on how much money can be raised using online tools, but on how championing a cause online helps build networks of people that make a real, lasting difference. Therefore, to succeed at the Challenge, the goal is to get as many “unique donations” to your charity as possible. Currently we need 575 donors to beat the top charity (we can do it!). There is a minimum of $10.

The $50,000 would help fun over 100 JA programs that are currently under-funded. Last year JA of Western Massachusetts provided 515 programs, serving nearly 11,000 students from grades K-12. More than 325 local community, business and college volunteers delivered JA programs in schools and community organizations throughout Western Massachusetts. JA programs focus on seven key content areas including business, citizenship, entrepreneurship, ethics/character, financial literacy, economics and character development. JA started in Springfield, MA in 1919 and more than 500,000 local students have participated in JA programs since it’s inception.

Please help support local JA programs by visiting our web site at www.jawm.org and clicking “America’s Giving Challenge,” then clicking on Donate Now. You can also help by sharing this link with your friends, family, and co-workers. The deadline for donations to JA’s America’s Giving Challenge is January 31, 2008. We really appreciate all of your support!

About Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to educating young people about business, economics and free enterprise. Through a dedicated volunteer network, JA provides in-school and after-school programs for students in grades K-12. JA offers educational programs that focus on seven key content areas: business, citizenship, economics, entrepreneurship, ethics/character, financial literacy, and career development. Today more than Junior Achievement Worldwide reaches almost seven million students in 98 countries. For more information, visit www.jawm.org.