Archives for August 2015

This back-to-school season Old Navy asked kids at Boys & Girls Clubs around the country what it means to be #Unlimited. The result? An inspirational song and music video featuring some of AwesomenessTV’s biggest stars that launches today on youtube.com/oldnavy. Building on its mission to give every child the resources they need to be #Unlimited, Old Navy is holding a fundraising campaign to donate up to $US500,000 to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BCGA) and Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada (BGCC).  An in-store donation drive will run from July 24 to August 19, 2015 in Old Navy stores in the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico) and Canada.

In partnership with AwesomenessTV, Old Navy interviewed kids at Boys & Girls Clubs from San Francisco to New York City about what makes them feel #Unlimited. Their words inspired a powerful new song that Old Navy hopes will empower kids of all ages this back-to-school season. Written by acclaimed music producer Cisco Adler and Alex Aiono, the song is performed by AwesomenessTV talents Alex Aiono, Cimorelli, Jordyn Jones, Josh Levi, Mahogany Lox and YouTuber Megan Nicole. YouTube music video director and musician Kurt Hugo Schneider directed the video and captured it in one continuous take.

The song reminds kids that they are #Unlimited no matter what obstacles and fears they face and to “be strong, be bold, and be brave” when challenges arise. This encouraging message builds on Old Navy’s successful back-to-school musical anthem from last year. The 2014 #Unlimited video, which secured an Emmy nomination and over five million views, featured a young girl facing her personal anxiety and doubt on her first day of school.

This year’s music video features talent dressed in special edition Old Navy #Unlimited t-shirts. The shirts are available for girls and boys in Old Navy stores and online. Designed to give back, 20 percent of the proceeds, up to US$75,000, from sales of the shirts in the U.S. and Canada will help support BGCA and BGCC. Visit www.oldnavy.com/unlimited to learn more.

The tees are the centerpiece of a larger Camp Old Navy fundraising effort to benefit BGCA and BGCC. From July 24 to August 19, 2015, Old Navy will match in-store customer donations to BGCA and BGCC up to US$415,000. Customers can participate in the fundraiser by donating at the register at all stores, buying an #Unlimited tee or downloading the #Unlimited song at oldnavy.bandcamp.com. Donations from song downloads, which Old Navy will match up to US$10,000, will be donated directly to Boys & Girls Club of Malibu where songwriter Cisco Adler is an active supporter.

The fundraiser will benefit Camp Old Navy’s work with BGCA and BGCC to give underserved youth access to after school opportunities. Kids with access to organized learning and play are 30 percent less likely to get involved in crime and 50 percent less likely to get involved with drugs. Since 1999, Camp Old Navy has served over 90,000 kids. Learn more about Camp Old Navy at www.oldnavy.com/campoldnavy.

Self Disclosure: Credit to the sources below. No compensation was received to post.

About Old Navy

Old Navy is a global apparel and accessories brand that makes current American essentials accessible to every family. Originated in 1994, the brand has now grown to be the #1 apparel brand in the U.S.* A division of San Francisco-based Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS), Old Navy brings a fun, energizing shopping environment to its customers in more than 1,000 stores around the world. For more information, please visit www.oldnavy.com.

*Source: 2013 NPD Group research

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at BGCA’s Facebook and Twitter.

About Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada

Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada is dedicated to supporting and encouraging children and youth as they grow and develop. We are a national charity serving 95 member Clubs that provide services to 210,000 young people in 650 locations across Canada. Our trained staff and volunteers listen to the opinions and ideas of children and youth, applaud their accomplishments, lend support during their struggles and provide ways for them to explore their interests and talents.  With this encouragement, young people develop the confidence and sense of belonging that helps them succeed in school, form positive relationships and mature into responsible, caring adults. For 115 years, we have welcomed children, youth and their families into Clubs that reflect the diversity of  Canada in small and large cities, and rural and Aboriginal communities. Visit www.bgccan.com and follow us at www.facebook.com/bgccan  and www.twitter.com/bgccan.

About AwesomenessTV

AwesomenessTV is a multi-platform media company owned by DreamWorks Animation (Nasdaq: DWA) and Hearst Corporation, which has a 25 percent interest. Included under the AwesomenessTV banner are AwesomenessTV, the leading YouTube channel serving the global Gen Z audience; the ATV Network, a community based MCN with over 90,000 channels; DreamWorksTV; Awestruck; Big Frame; as well as consumer products, music, publishing, and branded entertainment divisions. AwesomenessTV also produces television series and theatrical films, such as the No.1 social movie of 2014, Expelled; the AwesomenessTV series and Terry The Tomboy movie on Nickelodeon; and Richie Rich on Netflix. AwesomenessTV was founded by Brian Robbins (Smallville, Varsity Blues, All That) and Joe Davola (In Living Color, Smallville, MTV Networks). Check out www.awesomenesstv.com.

Local Los Angeles student Miranda Hurtado will continue her education at Berkeley this fall with the help of Del Amo Fashion Center and Simon Youth Foundation (SYF).

Hurtado, of Lawndale, Calif., has received a Simon Youth Foundation Community Scholarship valued at $1,500. The scholarship was awarded in partnership between Del Amo Fashion Center and Simon Youth Foundation (SYF), a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational and career development opportunities for youth.

Hurtado, 17, is a recent graduate of Environmental Charter High School in Lawndaleand exemplified herself through academic excellence, leadership skills, and participation in both school and community activities, including volunteer work. She plans to study at the University of California, Berkeley in the fall.

“We are very proud of the Simon Youth Scholarships program, because it has given us the opportunity to support the academic endeavors of promising youth right here in our community,” said Lindsay Hermance, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Del Amo Fashion Center.

Simon Youth Scholarships are awarded annually to at least one student in every U.S. community that is home to a Simon^® property. This year, approximately $1.1 million will be awarded.

“Simon Youth Community Scholarships reward academic excellence across the country and help students to continue their education,” said J. Michael Durnil, President and CEO of SYF.  “Financial concerns should never be the reason preventing a child from pursuing their dreams.”

About SYF

Simon Youth Foundation, a national nonprofit, exists to help at-risk students, who are on the verge of dropping out of high school, graduate. Through 22 Simon Youth Academies in 11 states and Simon Youth Scholarships, SYF advocates, creates and initiates educational opportunities for students. In partnership with local public schools, SYF has maintained a 90% graduation rate at its Academies since inception, graduated more than 13,000 students, and awarded more than $13 million in scholarships.  Learn more at syf.org.

About Del Amo Fashion Center

Del Amo Fashion Center, a joint venture of institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management and Simon, is the South Bay’s retail destination for shopping, entertainment and dining. Del Amo Fashion Center boasts more than 200 stores, including Macy’s, H&M, Anthropologie, Barnes & Noble, Coach, and more. Visit the outdoor promenade and enjoy dinner at Stacked or PF Changs before a movie at our 18 screen AMC Theater. The indoor mall offers fashion for women, men and children plus jewelry, footwear and electronics. Del Amo Fashion Center serves the nearby communities of Palos Verdes, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Redondo Beach and Gardena. For a map and store listings, as well as directions, events and job listings, visitwww.simon.com/mall/del-amo-fashion-center or call 310-542-8525.

Follow Del Amo Fashion Center on these social media channels:

Twitter: twitter.com/delamofashion

Facebook:  facebook.com/DelAmoFashionCenter

Instagram: instagram.com/delamofashion

Credit: Simon Youth Foundation.