Macy’s To Raise Money for National Parks

In celebration of Earth Week and National Park Week, Macy’s and the National Park Foundation today announced a new partnership to educate, raise awareness and generate funds for parks across the country.

“A source of exploration and discovery, national parks are a beloved and vital part of our nation’s heritage,” said Peter Sachse, president, Macy's corporate marketing. “The collaboration between Macy's and the National Park Foundation is designed to inspire a renewed interest in protecting and preserving our national parks and to heighten environmental awareness among our customers and employees. The National Park Foundation is a highly respected organization with an important mission, and Macy's connection to the general consumer offers a valuable platform to promote environmental activism.”

“The National Park Foundation is proud to be chosen as the first charity in Macy’s history to be the sole beneficiary of a national charity shopping event. We are honored to be working with them to engage the American public in supporting their national parks,” said Vin Cipolla, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “This is a truly innovative approach to corporate stewardship and we applaud Macy’s commitment to help protect the environment and preserve our national parks for generations to come.”

Turn Over a New Leaf

Macy’s will celebrate the launch of Turn Over a New Leaf on April 20th with eco-friendly merchandise, including a 100% natural cotton reusable tote bag. The first 150 customers will receive the cotton tote on April 26th at the start of the One Good Turn national charity event. The tote was created in partnership with Cotton Incorporated, a company committed to improving and promoting the sustainability of cotton. The cotton tote bag will sell for $3.95 with $1 of the purchase price directly benefiting the National Park Foundation. Customers can also find eco-friendly merchandise at Macy’s from leading vendors like Origins, Hush Puppies, DKNY and Macy’s brands, including Style & Co. Sport and Haven by Hotel Collection.

One Good Turn Charity Shopping Days

Also beginning on April 20th, customers can purchase tickets for One Good Turn – the special charity-shopping event on April 26th and April 27th during which all proceeds benefit the National Park Foundation. By making a $5 donation at Macy’s stores or online at www.nationalparks.org, customers receive a One Good Turn ticket-a two-day in-store and online shopping pass-for 20 percent off most men's, women's, kid's, and accessories merchandise, and 10 percent off most home items. Macy’s national charity shopping days have historically raised millions of dollars for important local and national non-profit organizations.

Let It Grow: Earth Day Celebration

Macy’s is inviting customers to join in the celebration of Earth Day on April 22nd with special giveaways and promotions including a free sapling to the first 100 customers in each store. Customers can inspire awareness of the world by planting the tree and growing the concept of conservation. The first 100 children will receive a National Park Foundation eco-friendly “Kid Power” activity and coloring book. The book includes a special coloring contest for children to complete and return to any Macy’s children’s department on April 26th and April 27th. When they return their artwork, each child will receive a “Kid Power” patch. The activity book is also available online at http://www.nationalparks.org/npweek and can be completed and returned in store or mailed to the National Park Foundation for a “Kid Power” patch.

Getting Involved

Customers can get involved in Macy’s Earth Week celebrations through two additional activities – a national online sweepstakes and an electronic field trip to Everglades National Park. The sweepstakes grand prize is a new Ford Escape Hybrid car. First, second and third place winners receive a trip for four to our national parks with air travel provided by Alaska Air and car rentals provided by Hertz and its Green Collection. Enter to win by visiting www.macys.com

On Earth Day, the grand prizewinner of the National Park Foundation Junior Ranger Essay Contest will enjoy a trip for four to Everglades National Park in Florida where that child will star in an electronic field trip broadcast live from the park. The “virtual” outing will be viewed by millions of school children across the U.S. and will examine native and exotic plants in our national parks as part of the National Park Foundation’s First Bloom project, scheduled to launch in five pilot cities this year. In addition to hosting the electronic field trip, the grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 Macy’s shopping spree and an America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass. The second place winner will receive a $500 Macy’s shopping spree and an America the Beautiful Pass. The third place winner will receive a $250 Macy’s shopping spree and an America the Beautiful Pass. The winners will be notified beginning on March 25, 2008.

The National Park Foundation Junior Ranger Essay Contest sponsored by Macy’s invited children ages 9 to 11 from across the country to write an essay on turning over a new leaf for the environment and our national parks. To learn more visit http://www.nationalparks.org/npweek

Further, Macy’s sales associates will be showing their support for Turn Over a New Leaf through the company’s award-winning volunteer program, Partners In Time. Associates in all of our stores will partner with their local communities to work on projects in their local parks.