For Immediate Release
Contact: Tara McNally
212/645-6900 x115
tara@jerichopr.com

WHAT IS A CHILD WITHOUT THE MEANS TO READ

IKEA Stores in the U.S. Kick Off
a Month-Long Donation Program Benefiting
Save the Children’s Web of Support Reading Programs

Plymouth Meeting, PA April 4, 2002 - There’s nothing quite like reading to a child - evoking emotions and excitement as you steer them through a story and take them to a magical far away place or an imaginative make-believe world.

During the month of April, IKEA will help to raise money in support of Save the Children’s Web of Support reading programs. This national initiative supports both children and the community organizations that serve them in their non-school hours by providing reading materials, books, resources, financial support, technical assistance and leadership training. Shoppers at all IKEA U.S. stores (excluding IKEA Houston) will be able to purchase a special bookmark valued at $1, $3 and $5, which will directly benefit Save the Children’s Web of Support reading programs. In addition, by going to www.ikea-us.com, donations can be made online with a direct link to Save the Children.

In support of Save the Children’s worthy programs that help thousands of children across the country, various IKEA stores in the U.S. will be hosting “A Day of Reading for Kids” – offering fun activities to ensure that kids have nothing standing in their way when they read. These creative activities, which are also helpful to parents include story-time, free eye exams, free children’s books (come early; limited supply), make your own book cover, expert reading tips from a local librarian and more.

“At IKEA, children are the most important people in the world, and this venture that benefits Save the Children’s Web of Support helps to ensure that America’s poorest children are empowered through education, especially reading,” explained John Zurcher, Social Responsibility Manager, IKEA U.S. “We are excited about supporting this worthwhile program that helps foster good habits, comprehension skills and literacy development of children across the country.”

“Save the Children strongly believes every child must have a Web of Support in order to successfully negotiate the world,” said Catherine Milton, Vice President U.S. Programs, Save the Children. “With the help of IKEA and their shoppers, we can mobilize people and resources at neighborhood and national levels to create lasting positive change for young people and their communities and deliver high quality after-school programs and support for thousands of children in low-income rural and urban neighborhoods across the United States.”

About Save the Children
Save the Children was founded in the United States in 1932 as a nonprofit child-assistance organization to make lasting positive change in the lives of children in need. Today we work in 19 states across the United States as well as in 47 other countries in the developing world to help children and families improve their health, education and economic opportunities. We also mobilize rapid life-support assistance for children and families caught in the tragedies of natural and man-made disasters. Information concerning Save the Children Federation, Inc., including financial, licensing or charitable purpose(s) may be obtained, without cost, by writing to Save the Children Federation, Inc., Corporate Secretary, 54 Wilton Road, Westport, Connecticut 06880, by calling 1-800-728-3843 or by visiting us at www.savethechildren.org.

About IKEA
Since its founding in 1943, IKEA has offered a wide range of home furnishings and accessories of good design and function, at prices so low that the majority of the people can afford them. IKEA is recognized as a socially responsible company, and continuously supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment. Currently, IKEA has 165 stores in 31 countries, including 15 stores in the United States and nine stores in Canada. To visit the IKEA web site, please go to http://www.ikea-us.com.