For every new member that joins YAPA-- the world's premier Web-based free membership organization of young professionals--within the next three months, the company will donate $1 to the U.S. Marine Corps' 53-year old Toys for Tots Program. YAPA's member acquisition strategy includes a combination of viral marketing, direct mail and public relations elements executed in conjunction with several strategic on- and off-line partners slated to make a matching donation, and has been implemented towards a forecasted membership base of 500,000 by year 2000's end.

``One of YAPA's fundamental goals is to raise awareness for volunteering and advocacy opportunities amongst its members,'' says Peter Hess, Founder and CEO of YAPA, whose target audience includes young professionals in the 22-30 demographic. ``Toy Drive 2000 gives members a glimpse of what we stand for, and the opportunity to support a campaign that will reflect their generation's commitment and enthusiasm for community involvement.''

``We're thrilled to have YAPA on board as one of our largest contributors to this year's campaign,'' says Major Bill Grein, USMC, Vice President for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. ``YAPA's participation adds a significant amount of visibility and awareness to our efforts, and will enhance our campaign with full-scale promotional support and a very generous donation.''

YAPA was founded in 1997 by Peter Hess in Syracuse, New York with the goal to help young professionals negotiate some of the roughest terrain of their lives, the transition into their first jobs and the launching of their careers. YAPA quickly evolved into a multimedia company with a global mission to provide young people everything they need to experience success, including interactive tools and content geared toward career, money, community, a balanced life, and self-improvement. YAPA now consists of four distinct elements:

YAPA.com: a vertical portal that provides all of the tools, content, community, and interactivity necessary for young professionals to successfully move through their early career;

YAPA: The Magazine: free to the first one million members, this high- design periodical contains insight on issues vital to young professionals;

YAPA Discount Program: partnerships with major brands providing YAPA members access to discounted goods and services aiding in personal and professional development.

The YAPA Experience: a ``university'' program bringing young professionals together with professional and personal development thought-leaders and successful business men and women for mentoring, personal growth, and professional direction finding

With a half million members projected by the end of 2000, YAPA is rapidly taking over the space for 22 - 30 year-olds creating a recognized brand associated with success for young people.

Founded in 1947 by Major Bill Hendricks, USMCR in Los Angeles, California, The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is one of the nation's flagship holiday charitable endeavors and the U.S. Marine Corps' premier community action program. Over the past 52 years, U.S. Marines have distributed over 257,000,000 toys to 127,000,000 needy children throughout the nation.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation's mission is to raise funds to provide toys to supplement the collections of local Toys for Tots coordinators; defray the costs of conducting annual Toys for Tots campaigns; provide administrative, advisory, financial, logistic and promotional support to local coordinators; and conduct public education and information programs which call the general public to action in support of Toys for Tots.

The Toys for Tots message of hope has restored the self-esteem of countless youngsters nationwide and motivated many to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders. Toys for Tots has made, and continues to make a difference in lives and communities. It's not the toy, it's what the toy does.

[Posted 9/28/2000]