WASHINGTON, Aug. 2, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United Way Worldwide and Dolphin Digital Media (OTCBB:DPDM) have launched "Club Connect," a multi-faceted membership web platform designed to promote literacy and philanthropy among the nation's children.
"Club Connect" features engaging options for kids and their families to learn and have fun, including celebrity book readings, cool games, exciting contests, valuable coupons, family-friendly volunteer activities, and inspirational stories of kids making a difference to inspire community service.
United Way and Dolphin Digital Media have also partnered with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Foundation to bring "Club Connect" to elementary and middle schools nationwide, beginning with the upcoming 2013-2014 school year. With the assistance of the NAESP Foundation, "Club Connect" will be promoted in schools across the country, including through service learning and student leadership programs.
"Club Connect is an opportunity for all of us who care about education — parents, schools, communities and partners — to work together to make reading fun and to encourage a type of engagement that will have a ripple effect not just on the next generation but for generations to come," said Brian Gallagher, President and CEO of United Way Worldwide. "To create lasting change and improve education in our county, we need to work together."
An annual membership to "Club Connect" costs $15, while the purchaser receives more than $500 worth of coupons and product discounts throughout the year. Over 80% of all proceeds will go directly to the individual schools which run the program, the NAESP Foundation to support local educational programs, and United Way's Read Learn Succeed campaign aimed at increasing elementary school reading scores across the country to reduce the high school dropout rate by half. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, 60 percent of all third graders in the U.S. are not reading proficiently, and 25 percent of high school students fail to graduate on time.
"We all agree that literacy is essential for our current and future generations," said Gail Connelly, Executive Director of the National Association of Elementary School Principals. "That is why we are so enthusiastic about our collaboration with United Way to bring this groundbreaking program to thousands of schools. Through participation in Club Connect, not only will students enhance their own learning and literacy in fun and engaging ways, they will also be introduced to the value of doing good in a wider sense, through the power and reach of philanthropy. It's a triple win: for our children, our schools and our communities across the nation."
"Children today are simply more tech savvy than any previous generation, and they are increasingly online for longer periods every day," said Bill O'Dowd, CEO of Dolphin Digital Media. "When designing a program for lasting success that has such important goals for the children in the program and for the country as a whole, we simply need to win in this new digital arena. We strongly believe in the mission of United Way's Read Learn Succeed and look forward to the positive impact the program will have in the lives of children in our country for years to come."
Please visit www.unitedwayclubconnect.org to learn more.
Dolphin Digital Media
Dolphin Digital Media, Inc. is dedicated to the production of high quality digital content and safe, engaging websites for children. Please visit www.dolphindigitalmedia.com for more information.
United Way
United Way, a worldwide movement in 41 countries and territories, includes more than 1,200 local organizations in the United States. It advances the common good by focusing on education, income and health – the building blocks for a good quality life. LIVE UNITED is United Way's call to action for everyone to give, to advocate and to volunteer to improve conditions in their local community. For more information about United Way, please visit: UnitedWay.org.
NAESP
Established in 1921, the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) is the leading national association representing elementary and middle school principals in the United States, Canada, and overseas. NAESP supports principals as the primary catalysts for creating lasting foundations for learning through policy development, advocacy, and resources for effective instructional leadership. NAESP seeks to advance the principalship and address issues in pre-K–3 alignment, principal preparation and evaluation, and building the capacity of new principals. www.naesp.org