JCPenney Partners with LeAnn Rimes to Support Afterschool Programs

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 2004--JCPenney and LeAnn Rimes are teaming this holiday season to support afterschool programs across the country through the sale of LeAnn's new holiday album WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD. JCPenney will donate the net profits from the sale of the album to fund afterschool programs that are helping more than 20 million kids develop socially, academically, and physically after the school day ends.

The album, which is LeAnn's first Christmas album, is a collection of eight traditional Christmas classics, including "White Christmas" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and three original compositions co-written by Rimes. The album was recorded at the legendary Capitol Records studio with members of the Brian Setzer Orchestra. It is available at most JCPenney stores.

“While our efforts help millions of kids, there are millions more who do not have safe, supervised afterschool activities to help them reach their full potential.”

"We've adopted afterschool as part of our corporate mission because afterschool programs provide a world of opportunity for children to be successful in school and in life," said Ed Solczak, director of JCPenney Afterschool. "While our efforts help millions of kids, there are millions more who do not have safe, supervised afterschool activities to help them reach their full potential."

LeAnn said, "I love children and appreciate being a part of JCPenney's efforts to open a world of opportunity for them. I was surprised to learn that more than 14 million kids are unsupervised and home alone after school, when they could be taking part in an enriching experience. Children's learning and growing should not end just because the school day ends, and it's a great pleasure to be able to help. This is truly in the spirit of Christmas."

JCPenney expects to sell between 250,000 and 300,000 copies of the album, which retails for $13.99.

Together, JCPenney and JCPenney Afterschool have contributed more than $41 million to support afterschool initiatives since 2001. JCPenney Afterschool works in partnership with respected national afterschool providers -- YMCA of the USA, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, 4-H, and Junior Achievement.

LeAnn will also dedicate the title track of the album to highlight the importance of afterschool programs during her 12-date holiday tour, which kicks off on November 28. Tour dates include:

-- 11/28 Red Bank, N.J. Count Basie Theatre 7 p.m.

-- 11/30 Huntington, W.Va. Veterans Memorial Field House 8 p.m.

-- 12/4 Little Rock, Ark. Robinson Center Music Hall 8 p.m.

-- 12/6 Danville, Ky. Newlin Hall 8 p.m.

-- 12/8 Hartford, Conn. Mortensen Hall 8 p.m.

-- 12/10 Syracuse, N.Y. Landmark Theatre 8 p.m.

-- 12/11 Indiana, Pa. Fisher Auditorium 8 p.m.

-- 12/14 Columbus, Ohio Schottenstein Center 7:30 p.m.

-- 12/16 Detroit, Mich. Masonic Temple 8 p.m.

-- 12/18 Kalamazoo, Mich. Miller Auditorium 8 p.m.

-- 12/19 Milwaukee, Wis. Milwaukee Theatre 8 p.m.

-- 12/21 Grand Rapids, Mich. DeVos Hall 7:30 p.m.

Extensive research repeatedly shows that good after school programs benefit kids by raising math and reading performance, improving attendance, decreasing involvement in crime, and reducing dropout rates.

With the first 10 years of her career, Rimes has established an impressive track record and in the process sold 27 million albums and earned two Grammys. Her latest single, "Nothin' Bout Love Makes Sense" was the No. 1 most-added song on country radio during its first week. "Nothin' Bout Love..." is the first track to be released from her upcoming album, THIS WOMAN, which will be released on Jan. 25, 2005.

DDB-Chicago helped bring JCPenney and LeAnn together for the afterschool partnership.

About JCPenney

JCPenney is one of America's largest department store, catalog, and e-commerce retailers, employing approximately 150,000 associates. The company operates 1,018 JCPenney department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, and 60 Renner department stores in Brazil. JCPenney is the nation's largest catalog merchant of general merchandise, and JCPenney.com is one of the largest apparel and home furnishings sites on the Internet. JCPenney is a contributor to the JCPenney Afterschool Fund, a charitable organization committed to providing children with high quality after school programs to help them reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.jcpenney.net.

About JCPenney Afterschool

JCPenney Afterschool is committed to helping provide children with high-quality, affordable afterschool programs to help them reach their full potential. The JCPenney Afterschool Fund is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization contributing financial support to five of America's leading Afterschool child care providers and advocates -- YMCA of the USA, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Afterschool Alliance, 4-H and Junior Achievement. JCPenney Afterschool's support helps provide safe, fun and educational afterschool programs and raise awareness of the need for more such programs across the country. For more information, visit www.jcpenneyafterschool.org.