“Literacy is the key for opening doors to new opportunities and better lives,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s chairman and CEO. “We are pleased to help local organizations enhance and expand their literacy programs to make education more accessible to everyone.”
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded grants to schools and organizations in communities across the 39 states served by Dollar General. The funding supports programs such as adult literacy, GED preparation and English language acquisition. More than 410,300 individuals are expected to benefit from literacy services provided by the grants.
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awards grants annually to schools, nonprofit organizations and libraries to support education and literacy in the communities where its customers, employees and their families live and work. Available grants and a complete list of grant recipients are available at www.dgliteracy.org.
About Dollar General Corporation
Dollar General is a leading discount retailer with 10,000 stores in 39 states. Dollar General stores provide convenience and value to customers by offering consumable basic items such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids and cleaning supplies, as well as basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at everyday low prices. The company has a longstanding tradition of supporting literacy and education. Since 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $71.2 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 4.1 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. To learn more about Dollar General, visit www.dollargeneral.com .
The following elementary schools received funding for literacy programs: Bethel, Beverly Hills, Carl A. Furr, Celeste Henkel, Central, Charles E. Boger, Cloverleaf, Coddle Creek, Cool Spring, East Iredell, Harmony, Lake Norman, Lakeshore, N.B. Mills, Rocky River, R. Brown McAllister, Scotts, Sharon, Shepherd, Third Creek, Troutman, Union Grove, Winecoff, W.M. Irvin, Woodland Heights and W.R. Odell.
As part of the 5th annual “Reading Puts You on the Track to Victory,” reading program to promote literacy, Charlotte-area students logged more than 3 million minutes reading and more than 2,856 students were awarded tickets to the race.
“As part of Dollar General’s commitment to literacy and education, we are happy to support Charlotte-area schools,” said Denine Torr, Dollar General’s director of community initiatives. “The ‘Reading Puts You on the Track to Victory’ program combines reading with fun, and we commend all the students who participated and succeeded in the program.”
Dollar General promoted reading among elementary school students at 26 schools through the “Reading Puts You on the Track to Victory,” reading program. From September 6 to September 23, more than 6,000 students tracked their time reading at home. Students who had the most minutes reading received four tickets to the Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage. Of the top readers from each school, one student was selected randomly to receive the grand prize package, which included tickets to the Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage and a trophy presentation on-stage during pre-race festivities.
“Unilever is proud to partner with Dollar General in sponsoring Reading Puts you on the Track to Victory,” said Jeff Keohane, Unilever’s customer development team leader. “We get so excited and encouraged about the immediate and longer-term impacts the program has on helping young students further develop their reading skills. It’s the type of program that’s not only fun, but pays long-term benefits to education and to brighter futures.”
Since its founding, Dollar General has been committed to supporting literacy and education. To further this support, the company founded the Dollar General Literacy Foundation in 1993 to improve the functional literacy of adults and families by providing grants to non-profit organizations dedicated to the advancement of literacy. To learn more about Dollar General’s literacy initiatives and available grants, visit www.dgliteracy.org.
About Dollar General Corporation
Dollar General Corporation has been delivering value to shoppers for more than 70 years. Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day!® by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at low everyday prices in convenient neighborhood locations. With more than 9,600 stores in 36 states, Dollar General has more retail locations than any retailer in America. In addition to high quality private brands, Dollar General sells products from America's most-trusted manufacturers such as Procter & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, Unilever, Kellogg's, General Mills, Nabisco, Hanes, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola. Learn more about Dollar General at www.dollargeneral.com .
“Education is the key building block to a bright future, and we believe every child deserves a quality education and the opportunity to fulfill their potential,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s chairman and CEO. “No child’s education should be limited by a lack of resources, which is why the Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports schools and nonprofit organizations that strengthen literacy skills and educate youth.”
Grants were awarded to 352 schools for program support, equipment, materials or software for their library or literacy program. Additionally, grants were awarded to 345 schools, public libraries and nonprofit organizations to implement or expand literacy programs.
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $9.5 million in grants to more than 1,200 schools and nonprofit organizations in 2011. Since its inception, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $61.7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 3.7 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency.
Dollar General has been a longtime supporter of literacy and education. The company founded the Dollar General Literacy Foundation in 1993 to improve the functional literacy of adults, families and youth by providing grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to the advancement of literacy. To learn more about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and available grants, visit www.dgliteracy.org
The “I Can” essay contest asks what you would do with $50,000 for your education. To enter the “I Can” essay contest, submit a 250-word essay about how you would use $50,000 to further your education. All submissions must be received by August 31, 2011.
“Education is the cornerstone of growth and prosperity in all aspects of business and life,” said Denine Torr, Dollar General’s director of community initiatives. “In today’s world, education can have a high price tag, but cost shouldn’t be a deterrent to pursuing one’s dreams. Through the ‘I Can’ essay contest, we want to open doors for students seeking to better themselves through education.”
Supporting education and literacy has been a key initiative for Dollar General since the company was founded. J.L. Turner, co-founder of the company, was forced to quit school at age 11 to support his family. He went on to build the company now known as Dollar General, and left a legacy of support for education. This dedication to education lives on today and was the inspiration behind the “I Can” essay contest.
“Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Unilever, Reckitt Benckiser and Sun Products are very excited to be partnering with Dollar General again this year,” said Jennifer Carter, shopper marketing manager, Kimberly-Clark. “The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is a fantastic program, and we are happy to contribute to their efforts through programs like this back-to-school essay contest.”
The grand prize of the “I Can” essay contest is a $50,000 educational grant and a trip to Nashville to accept the prize. Additional prizes include three $25,000 educational grants, 20 $5,000 educational grants and hundreds of Dollar General gift cards.
For the “I Can” essay contest’s complete details and rules and to submit your essay, visit www.dollargeneral.com. Essay submissions are being accepted online at www.dollargeneral.com through August 31, 2011. Entrants must be 18 years old and residents of Dollar General’s 35-state market area.
“School libraries play an important role in providing our nation’s children with the educational resources needed to compete in the global marketplace,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s chairman and CEO. “We are proud to partner with the ALA and AASL in their mission to bring relief to school libraries most affected by these devastating disasters and hope our funding can help make the recovery and rebuilding process a little easier.”
Beyond Words is a collaborative effort among the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, the American Association of School Librarians, the American Library Association and the National Education Association. Together, the organizations launched Beyond Words in 2006 after witnessing the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina. The program was created to provide financial support to public schools affected by disasters to rebuild and expand library programs. The grants can be used to defray the cost of replacing or supplementing books, media and/or equipment in the school library.
To be eligible for a Beyond Words grant, applicants must be located within 20 miles of a Dollar General store, distribution center or corporate office and must represent public schools serving students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Grant applicants must also meet one of two eligibility requirements: the library must have lost its building or incurred substantial damage or hardship due to a natural disaster, fire or an act recognized by the federal government as terrorism. More information about the Beyond Words program and how to apply is available at dgliteracy.org under the literacy grant programs section of the website.
"Dollar General believes literacy is the foundation upon which all other success is built," said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General's chairman and CEO. "Our hope is that these gifts reinforce the importance of literacy and education in our communities for youth, adults and families."
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded 222 grants to organizations that provide services for adults such as literacy programs, general education diploma preparation and English language acquisition. Fifty-three grants were awarded to organizations that provide educational opportunities for parents and children to learn together. And, 206 grants were awarded to libraries and nonprofit organizations to support summer reading programs for children. For more information on the Dollar General Literacy Foundation or for a complete list of grant recipients, visit www.dgliteracy.org.
The grants being awarded today will help nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools provide services to more than 230,000 individuals of all ages.
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is currently accepting applications for youth literacy and back-to-school grants. To complete an application, please visit www.dgliteracy.org. Proposals must be submitted online by May 18, 2011.
"The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to help adult literacy organizations across the country remedy resource shortages and get more students involved in an educational program sooner," said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General's chairman and CEO.
Adult literacy organizations across the country are facing increased demands for service, while struggling with decreases in available resources and funds. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation Waiting List Reduction grant helps literacy programs immediately engage potential students in learning activities.
Since its founding, Dollar General has been committed to supporting literacy and education. The company founded the Dollar General Literacy Foundation in 1993 to improve the functional literacy of adults, families and youth by providing grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to the advancement of literacy. A list of the Foundation's 2011 grant programs and grant applications will be available at www.dgliteracy.org in January.
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation waiting list reduction grant helps literacy programs find ways to immediately engage potential students in learning activities.
Nonprofit adult literacy organizations may apply for the waiting list reduction grant online at www.dgliteracy.org. The deadline to apply for the grant is Sept. 30, 2010.
Since its founding, Dollar General has been committed to supporting literacy and education. The company founded the Dollar General Literacy Foundation in 1993 to improve the functional literacy of adults, families and youth by providing grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to the advancement of literacy. To learn more about Dollar General's literacy initiatives and available grants, visit www.dgliteracy.org.
According to the US Census Bureau, more than 35.7 million adults ages 18-64 do not have a high school diploma. Data shows that students who drop out of high school tend to earn less, perform less well in society, and have a lower quality of life. Many of them must work multiple jobs just to support their family. Moreover, in 2005, 21% of families without a high school diploma were living below the poverty line, compared to 7.1% of those with high school diplomas.
"As a longtime supporter of literacy and education, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation strongly believes that furthering one's education can improve lives for generations to come," said Cal Turner, chairman of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. "The Foundation is enthusiastic about the potential impact of this campaign. Our goal is to inspire potential GED candidates and make it easy for people from all walks of life to access free, local resources that will help them begin their journey to a brighter future through a GED."
Created pro bono by DDB Chicago, the campaign includes television, radio, print and online ads available in English and Spanish. The PSAs aim to reach men and women in their mid to late 20's who are high school dropouts. The ads illustrate to these young adults that achieving their GED diploma gives them access to more possibilities in life – further education, better positions, and more confidence in themselves.
Grammy award winning country singer/songwriter Gretchen Wilson, a campaign spokesperson, dropped out of high school at the age of 15 and received her GED nearly 25 years later at the age of 34. She has since become an advocate to help spotlight the funding needs of adult education programs and the adults on waiting lists hoping to further their education. She spoke to a Congressional subcommittee in the spring of 2009 about the need for continued funding. She was honored with a 2009 National Coalition for Literacy Leadership Award at a reception at the Library of Congress, which recognizes individuals and/or organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to improving literacy and raising awareness of adult literacy in the United States.
"People need the right tools to succeed, and, at the very minimum, a major tool on the road to success is a high school diploma or GED," said Wilson. "This campaign will go a long way toward educating people on how to take that first step to make a difference in their lives and the lives of their families, and I'm honored to be a part of it."
"We are excited to partner with the Gretchen Wilson and Dollar General Literacy Foundation on this engaging and important campaign," according to Peggy Conlon, President and CEO of The Advertising Council. "Research has shown that adults without a GED diploma get the lowest paid and the least stable jobs. One of our missions is to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to achieve their full potential in life. I am confident these PSAs will give them the encouragement and resources to get them started on achieving their GED."
The campaign shows viewers that "You can take the first step" and directs them to a toll free number 877-38-YOURGED and a new website, www.yourged.org, available in English and Spanish. The site provides visitors with free referrals to local GED programs and information on the GED diploma process. The campaign also has a mobile component. Young adults can text 69222 from their cell phones and receive messages about the three literacy centers closest to them.
"We're excited about the work we created with the Ad Council and Dollar General. When you understand some of the reasons for dropping out of high school, it is truly rewarding to let people know they have a second chance and their life can be changed by earning a GED" said Rick Carpenter, President & CEO of DDB Chicago.
Per the Ad Council model, the PSAs will be distributed to media outlets nationwide this week and will run and air in advertising time and space that is donated by the media.
"The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is excited to help launch the National Literacy Directory," said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General's chairman and CEO. "Our partners have provided a wealth of knowledge in developing this database. We hope it will be a tool and a springboard for those seeking information on how to improve their lives through literacy."
The comprehensive, user-friendly directory provides a list of organizations and schools that offer literacy services in communities throughout the United States. The directory can be used to find local referrals for literacy and educational services, including English as a second language, General educational development preparation and testing, and adult basic literacy.
"This initiative is elevating the likelihood of success for the entire family," said Sharon Darling, president & founder of NCFL. "Together, we are giving parents unprecedented access to find the help they need. Success is at their fingertips, and just a phone call away. Literacy is the foundation for the economic well-being and a strong community."
In addition to being easily accessible online, the National Literacy Directory telephone hotline provides literacy referrals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Information online and over the phone is provided in English and Spanish.
"In the U.S., one out of seven adults lack basic literacy skills," said David Harvey, president and CEO of ProLiteracy. "This impacts how people understand important financial, educational, health care, employment or legal rights issues. The National Literacy Directory is a critical link to connect adults in need with local programs and resources that can help them."
Recognizing the need for an online resource for those looking for literacy services, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, the National Center for Family Literacy and ProLiteracy combined resources to create the National Literacy Directory. The directory will be frequently updated to ensure the database has the most current information.
"Dollar General believes literacy is the foundation upon which all other success is built, from education to work." said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General's chairman and CEO. "We hope that the Dollar General Literacy Foundation's support of these organizations will empower individuals of all ages to have a better life for themselves and their families, in turn, ensuring a promising future for our country."
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded 250 grants to organizations that provide services for adults such as literacy programs, general education diploma preparation and English as a second language. Seventy-five grants were awarded to organizations that provide educational opportunities for parents and children to learn together. And, 151 grants were awarded to libraries and nonprofit organizations to support summer literacy and reading programs for children.
Since its founding, Dollar General has been committed to supporting literacy and education. The company founded the Dollar General Literacy Foundation in 1993 to improve the functional literacy of adults, families and youth by providing grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to the advancement of literacy. To learn more about Dollar General's literacy initiatives and available grants, visit www.dollargeneral.com.
To view the complete list of grant recipients, visit www.dollargeneral.com.
The literacy grants will support local adult and youth literacy programs, as well as summer reading programs. Through these grants, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation will serve more than 36,000 people in middle Tennessee.
Jeff Rice, Dollar General's vice president, human resources and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation's vice president, surprised representatives from each organization with a check during Wednesday's presentation.
"The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is pleased to support the good work these organizations are doing each day in middle Tennessee," said Rice. "Their efforts in literacy and education continue to have a meaningful impact on our community, building a stronger workforce and a brighter future for Nashville and middle Tennessee."
The schools and organizations that received grants were: Antioch Middle School; Book'em; Bridge Nashville, Inc.; Cameron Middle School; Center for Refugees and Immigrants of Tennessee; Children are People, Inc.; Christian Women's Job Corps of Middle TN; Fannie Battle Day Home for Children, Inc.; Goodlettsville Elementary School; Goodlettsville Middle School; Homework Hotline Inc.; Humanities Tennessee; Kingston Springs Elementary School; Madison Creek Elementary School; Martha O'Bryan Center; McNeilly Center for Children; Millersville Elementary School; Monroe Harding, Inc.; Nashville Adult Literacy Council; Nashville Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc.; Nashville Public Library Foundation; Nashville Public Television; Nashville Safe Haven Family Shelter, Inc.; New Hope Academy; Oasis Center; Old Center Elementary School; PENCIL; Preston Taylor Ministries; Progreso Community Center-Centro Comunitario Progreso; St. Luke's Community House; Sudanese Community & Women's Services Center; Tennessee Literacy Coalition; The Academy at Opry Mills; The Nashville Chamber Public Benefit Foundation; United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties; Urban League of Middle Tennessee; Vanderbilt University – Kennedy Center; Waverly Elementary School; Workforce Essentials, Inc.; and YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
Since its founding, Dollar General has been committed to supporting literacy and education. The company founded the Dollar General Literacy Foundation in 1993 to improve the functional literacy of adults, families and youth by providing grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to the advancement of literacy. To learn more about Dollar General's literacy initiatives and available grants, visit
www.dgliteracy.org.
Adult Literacy Grants |
Family Literacy Grants |
Summer Reading Grants
About Dollar General
Dollar General is a leading discount retailer with more than 8,800 neighborhood stores. Dollar General stores provide convenience and value to customers by offering consumable basic items such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids and cleaning supplies, as well as basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at everyday low prices. The company has a longstanding tradition of supporting literacy and education. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $47.2 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 2.5 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. To learn more about Dollar General, visit
www.dollargeneral.com.
To kick-off Literacy Rocks, Reckitt Benckiser donated $250,000 to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to support literacy initiatives. In addition, for every Lysol®, Air Wick® or Finish® product purchased at Dollar General, Reckitt Benckiser will donate 5 cents to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, up to $75,000.
"We are pleased to offer our customers the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime experience with Gretchen Wilson, as well as help the Dollar General Literacy Foundation," said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General's chairman and CEO. "The funds raised through this promotion will support literacy programs in the communities we serve."
Literacy and education are two initiatives close to Gretchen's heart. Until recently, she was one of the million Americans who hadn't finished high school. In 2008, at the age of 34, she earned her GED. As a dedicated mother, it was important for her to earn the diploma not only for herself, but to show her daughter the importance of education. Through her participation in the Literacy Rocks sweepstakes, Gretchen is helping others reach their own education dreams.
Dollar General customers will find more information about Literacy Rocks at any Dollar General store or online at
www.dgliteracy.com. The sweepstakes begins May 3 and ends June 14.
Since the Dollar General Literacy Foundation's inception in 1993, it has provided grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to the advancement of literacy. The Foundation has awarded more than $47.2 million in grants across Dollar General's 35-state market area. These grants support adult, family and youth literacy initiatives. In addition to cash grants, Dollar General's in-store Learn to Read brochures have offered free literacy referrals to more than 53,000 people.
About Dollar General
Dollar General is a leading discount retailer with more than 8,800 neighborhood stores. Dollar General stores provide convenience and value to customers by offering consumable basic items such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids and cleaning supplies, as well as basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at everyday low prices. The company has a longstanding tradition of supporting literacy and education. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $47.2 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 2.5 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. To learn more about Dollar General, visit
www.dollargeneral.com.
"The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is dedicated to breaking the cycle of illiteracy," said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General's chairman and CEO. "By supporting community-based family literacy programs, we hope to open doors for parents and children, putting educational success within reach for people of all ages."
The Literacy Foundation's grant is being matched by a $500,000 donation from the Barbara Bush Foundation. The matching grants will ensure that small, community-based organizations will be able to continue to offer family literacy programs for those in need.
"The heart of our family literacy movement beats within our academies," said Liza McFadden, Volunteer USA president. "These are the places where moms, dads and young children can go as a family to learn. With the continued support of Dollar General, more and more families will have the opportunity to create a better life because of the caring teachers and classes we offer ranging from adult literacy, GED preparation, English as a Second Language, preschool education and parenting skills."
Dollar General supports literacy programs in the communities it serves throughout its 35-state market. With approximately 1,400 stores in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, this grant will provide local literacy services.
Since its founding, Dollar General has been committed to supporting literacy and education. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is dedicated to improving the functional literacy of adults, families and youth by providing grants to nonprofit organizations working to advance literacy. To learn more about Dollar General's literacy initiatives and available grants, visit
www.dollargeneral.com.
About Dollar General
Dollar General is a leading discount retailer with more than 8,800 neighborhood stores. Dollar General stores provide convenience and value to customers by offering consumable basic items such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids and cleaning supplies, as well as basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at everyday low prices. The company has a longstanding tradition of supporting literacy and education. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $40 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 2.1 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. To learn more about Dollar General, visit
www.dollargeneral.com.
About Volunteer USA Foundation
The mission of Volunteer USA - a nonprofit organization - is to inspire a spirit of volunteerism to make communities stronger. We empower families, nonprofits, and schools through innovative and easy-to-implement programs and products. Founded in 2007, Volunteer USA works with sponsors and partners to support a wide range of educational programs from family literacy, youth mentoring and parenting workshops. We also manage efforts to recruit "green" volunteers and train teens so they can help their neighbors and communities in times of disaster. Our passion is to improve the lives and futures of families, for generations to come.
www.volunteerusafoundation.org.
