SAN DIEGO -- April 7, 2006 -- Today The UPS Store® kicked off the 2006 Toys for Tots campaign with the unveiling of a life-size #88 Ford "template" car at Texas Motor Speedway to announce the "Design Dale's Ride" coloring contest.
The contest gives children, ages 5-to-12, a chance to design this year's The UPS Store/Toys for Tots #88 Ford, which NASCAR legend Dale Jarrett will race this November in Texas.
Last year, Jarrett raced a The UPS Store/Toys for Tots car with a special paint scheme designed by his children. This year, he is looking to the creativity of kids across the country for the new design.
"I am proud to be part of the Toys for Tots program for a second year," said Jarrett. "In addition to giving kids the chance to design a special The UPS Store/Toys for Tots car, this contest is a great way for children to learn about the importance of charitable giving."
As a national Toys for Tots sponsor in 2005, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. network raised nearly $600,000 for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. These monies helped the organization to deliver more than 18.4 million toys, books and other gifts to nearly 7.5 million children.
"As a national sponsor, we're glad to have the opportunity to bring awareness to the Toys for Tots program all year long, rather than just during the holidays," said Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. President Stuart Mathis. "Somewhere out there is a young artist just waiting to see his or her design race around the track at more than 150 miles per hour."
Children may pick up a copy of the coloring contest template at participating The UPS Store locations or by logging on to http://www.theupsstore.com.
The child who submits the winning entry will receive: a trip for two to the race at Daytona on July 1, 2006, for the unveiling of the car; a hometown viewing party to watch the car race on Nov. 5 at Texas Motor Speedway; a custom-fit, autographed racing suit to match the one Dale will wear, and a Crayola® prize pack, including Crayola Color Explosion™, Crayola Twistables™ and Crayola Erasable Markers. Additionally, the winner's school will receive 10,000 free copies from The UPS Store, along with a Crayola art supplies package for the art department.
For complete contest details and official rules, visit http://www.theupsstore.com.
About The UPS Store
The UPS Store locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., a UPS company. With more than 5,600 locations around the world, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. brands together comprise the largest network of retail shipping, postal and business service centers. For additional information, visit http://www.theupsstore.com.
About The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots Program
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity, is the authorized fund raising and support organization for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The Foundation provides the funding and support needed for successful annual toy collection and distribution campaigns. The foundation is located at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia. Local Marine Corps Reserve units and volunteer organizations collect and distribute toys in more than 520 communities covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit http://www.toysfortots.org.