In celebration of children’s literacy, The UPS Store, Inc. will
participate in the 2019 Tournament of Roses® Rose Parade on Jan. 1,
2019 in Pasadena, California. The float, titled "Books Keep Us On
Our Toes,” aims to inspire people to experience life through the
joy of reading. The parade float also highlights the need to extend
children’s literacy in communities throughout the United States.
The UPS Store, Inc.’s participation in the parade is the
culmination of the annual Toys for Tots® Literacy Program,
developed by The UPS Store, Inc. and the Marine Toys for Tots
Foundation. The literacy program, which is celebrating its 10th
anniversary, provides books and educational resources to
underserved communities.
“The Rose Parade presents a unique opportunity for The UPS Store
to show its ongoing commitment to the Toys for Tots Literacy
Program," said Tim Davis, president of The UPS Store, Inc. "We are
proud to mark 10 years of sharing the excitement, wonder and
importance of literacy with children and their families across the
country.”
Built by Fiesta Parade Floats, The UPS Store, Inc.’s float will
glide down the iconic 5 ½ mile stretch of Colorado Boulevard in
Pasadena. At 37 feet tall and 55 feet long, this show-stopping
float will display more than 110,000 flowers and use a
state-of-the-art hydraulic system.
This year’s fun-loving float concept features Olive the Ostrich,
an aspiring ballerina with dreams to star in “Swan Lake.” Olive
acknowledges her species may not be the traditional choice for the
role, so she prepares by reading books on ballet while listening to
Tchaikovsky’s famous music on an old-fashioned gramophone.
The pink ostrich is outfitted with an elegant costume and
meticulously constructed with 30,000 pale pink Mizuky carnations
and 40,000 white dendrobium orchids, among other ornate floral
varieties.
"The Rose Parade provides a unique and exciting opportunity to
present the magnificence of floral art," said Tim Estes, president
of Fiesta Parade Floats. "I’m thrilled to collaborate with The UPS
Store in realizing this remarkable vision in support of children’s
literacy.”
After the parade, spectators can view the float up close through
Jan. 2, 2019. The UPS Store team will hand out 10,000 children’s
books, many of which were donated by Scholastic, the global
children’s publishing, education, and media company, to
parade-goers and post-event attendees.
Through its 5,000 plus retail locations in North America, The
UPS Store network has raised more than $4 million dollars and
distributed nearly 39 million books to help children thrive since
the Toys for Tots Literacy Program launched. The program remains
necessary as literacy disparities between socioeconomic groups in
the United States persist. According to the Scholastic Kids &
Family Reading Report , households with an income of $35,000 and
under own an average of 69 children’s books, compared to 127 books
in households with incomes higher than $100,000. Each locally owned
and operated The UPS Store® location is fundamental to the success
of the program and will continue collecting donations through the
end of the year.
Don't miss your chance to see The UPS Store float, ""Books Keep
Us On Our Toes," in the 130th Rose Parade at 8:00 a.m. PST on
Monday, Jan. 1, 2018 on NBC.
For more information on the float or to make a contribution to
support literacy, visit theupsstore.com/roses.
About The UPS Store
With approximately 5,000 locations across North America, The UPS
Store network comprises the nation’s largest franchise system of
retail shipping, postal, print and business service centers. The
UPS Store locations in the U.S. are independently owned and
operated by licensed franchisees of The UPS Store, Inc., a
subsidiary of UPS (NYSE: UPS). Services, products, pricing and
hours of operation may vary by location. For additional information
on The UPS Store, visit theupsstore.com. For information
on franchise opportunities for opening a The UPS
Store location, visit https://www.theupsstorefranchise.com/.
Follow The UPS Store on Twitter at @TheUPSStore and like
The UPS Store on Facebook at facebook.com/theupsstore.
About Marine Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots, a 71-year national charitable program run by the
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides happiness and hope to
disadvantaged children during each Christmas holiday season.
The toys, books and other gifts collected and distributed by the
Marines offer these children recognition, confidence and a positive
memory for a lifetime. It is such experiences that help
children become responsible citizens and caring members of their
community. Last year the Marine Toys for Tots Program
fulfilled the holiday hopes and dreams of 7 million less fortunate
children in 800 communities nationwide. Since 1947 over 251
million children have been assisted. The Marine Toys for Tots
Foundation is a not for profit organization authorized by the U.S.
Marine Corps and the Department of Defense to provide fundraising
and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve
Toys for Tots Program. For more information, visit
www.toysfortots.org.
About the Pasadena Tournament of
Roses®
The Tournament of Roses is a volunteer
organization that hosts America’s New Year Celebration® with the
Rose Parade® presented by Honda, the Rose Bowl Game® presented by
Northwestern Mutual and a variety of accompanying events. 935
volunteer members of the association will drive the success of
130th Rose Parade themed “The Melody of Life,” on Tuesday, January
1, 2019, followed by the 105th Rose Bowl Game. For more
information, visit www.tournamentofroses.com. Like us on Facebook
and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Staci Reidinger
sreidinger@upsstore.com
858-455-8982
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