Sounders FC & The UPS Store Team Up for Book Drive

Fans invited to donate at June 20 match

RENTON , Wash. - Sounders FC fans are encouraged to make a monetary donation or bring new books for local less fortunate children, ages pre-school through high school, to the Sounders FC home match versus Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday, June 20 to support the Toys for Tots Literacy Program.

Volunteers from the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and The UPS Store ®, the exclusive sponsor of the Toys for Tots Literacy Program, will be stationed at all gates to collect books and monetary donations. One-hundred percent of the books and funds collected at the match will benefit economically disadvantaged children in the greater Seattle area through the Toys for Tots Literacy Program.

Sounders FC players including forward David Estrada, defender Patrick Ianni and midfielder Andy Rose shared their favorite books from childhood.

Fans unable to attend the match may still participate in the book drive by dropping off books or monetary donations at local The UPS Store locations the week leading up to the match, June 13-20.

 "The thing I love most about the literacy program is that the funds we raise stay right here in our community to help disadvantaged children get the resources they need to succeed in life," said Jack Graham, The UPS Store franchise owner. "Knowing that only 33 percent of fourth graders still can't read at even the basic level really motivates me to help move this important cause forward."

 Earlier this spring, The UPS Store network announced that it reached a milestone of raising more than $2 million since the program began in 2008.

 As the first year-round initiative of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, the literacy program offers the nation's most economically disadvantaged children direct access to books and educational resources. This helps enhance their ability to read and communicate effectively, enabling them to compete academically and succeed in life. According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, over 16 million children live in poverty.

Visit our book drive page for additional details and a list of participating The UPS Store locations. For more information about the Toys for Tots Literacy Program, visit toysfortots.org/literacy.