Customers Can Round Up Purchases to Help Launch Crisis Text Line for Teens
PLANO, Texas (March 1, 2013) - As part of its charitable giving program, jcp cares, jcpenney is inviting its customers to round up their purchases in March to the nearest whole dollar and donate the difference to benefit Crisis Text Line, a free, 24/7 text message hotline that connects teens in crisis with the support, counseling and resources they need.
"Crisis Text Line will help to reach teens in need using a medium they already trust and use: text messaging," said Miki Woodard, jcp cares president and vice president of philanthropy for jcpenney. "While toll-free hotlines for teens exist there is a growing demand for crisis support leveraging SMS. We are thrilled to help launch such an innovative tool to support teens."
Crisis Text Line is a startup subsidiary of DoSomething.org, the largest organization for teens for social change in America. The idea to create Crisis Text Line emerged when DoSomething.org, which utilizes mobile marketing campaigns to connect with its user base, began receiving text messages back from teens seeking help (view founder Nancy Lublin discussing Crisis Text Line at the 2012 TED conference: http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/crisis-text-line). Launching in August 2013, Crisis Text Line will work in partnership with existing hotlines, organizations and experts to quickly connect teens in crisis with the support they need.
"Six months ago, Crisis Text Line was just an idea. Thanks to jcp and customers rounding up, it's going to be a reality. We couldn't be more grateful," said Nancy Lublin, founder of Crisis Text Line.
jcpenney customers can round-up their purchases both in-store and online at jcp.com. Additionally, customers can make donations to Crisis Text Line at jcp.com/jcpcares and support the organization through the Facebook social game, WeTopia.
For more information and downloadable assets visit www.jcpmediaroom.com/jcpcares.
About jcpenney:
More than a century ago, James Cash Penney founded his company on the principle of the Golden Rule: treat others the way you'd like to be treated - Fair and Square. His legacy continues to this day, as J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP) boldly transforms the retail experience across 1,100 stores and jcp.com to become America's favorite store. Focused on making the customer experience better every day, jcpenney is dreaming up new ways to make customers love shopping again. On every visit, customers will discover great prices every day in a unique Shops environment that features exceptionally curated merchandise, a dynamic presentation and unmatched customer service. For more information, visit us at jcp.com.
About Crisis Text Line:
Millions of teens are quietly suffering every day. They struggle with bullying, homophobia, suicidal thoughts and more. The solution is beautifully simple. We'll provide simple, fast and private counseling and referrals to teens via a medium they already use and trust: text. Crisis Text Line will be launching on August 1, 2013. For more information, please visit www.crisistextline.org.
jcpenney media relations
Daphne Avila and Kate Coultas
972-431-3400; jcpcorpcomm@jcp.com
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Source: J. C. Penney Company, Inc. via Thomson Reuters ONE
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