HUNTERSVILLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today on National Youth Literacy Day, Matt Kenseth debuted Matt Kenseth’s Race Against Bullying, his first children’s book aimed at educating and empowering children to make good choices if faced with bullying situations. Kenseth, a two-time Daytona 500 Champion and the NASCAR Sprint Cup series driver of the No. 20 Dollar General Toyota Camry, released the book with his wife Katie at Joe Gibbs Racing headquarters.
Published by Bendon, Inc., Matt Kenseth’s Race Against Bullying is available today for purchase exclusively at more than 11,300 Dollar General stores nationwide and online at www.dollargeneral.com. It is also the first installment of a four-part series of educational children’s books that Matt and Katie Kenseth championed. The series is designed for family reading for children ages 4 through 8 to become more self-confident and empowered to make good choices.
“As a parent of three small children, it’s natural to worry about the issues they will face while growing up,” said Kenseth, the 2003 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. “Both Katie and I believe that openly talking about these issues is the best way to prepare them. This book is designed to help families discuss the effects of bullying with their kids. We believe it’s important our kids not only know how to deal with a bully, but also understand that it’s not OK to act like one.”
“We’re excited to partner with Matt to raise awareness and provide solutions to childhood bullying, especially as it reflects our mission of Serving Others,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s chairman and CEO. “The project also combines Dollar General’s passion for literacy and reading through the Dollar General Literacy Foundation with the strong representation Matt brings to Dollar General, Joe Gibbs Racing and NASCAR.”
According to www.stopbullying.gov, more than 70 percent of students say they have seen bullying in their schools and less than 30 percent of students who are bullied notify an adult. More statistics, further reading about bullying, and ways that adults can help can be found at the stopbullying.gov website.
Kenseth, an avid reader, has helped support literacy programs throughout his career and currently serves as an ambassador for the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. Sharing in both Dollar General and Kenseth’s commitment to literacy is long-time Kenseth sponsor CITIZEN Watch, who made a $25,000 donation on Kenseth’s behalf to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation in honor of the book launch.
“Our new brand statement Better Starts Now is about reaching inside yourself to do things better. With the launch of his new book, Matt has shown us that this motto is part of his character both on and off the track," said Jeffrey Cohen, President of Citizen Watch Company of America. "With statistics showing bullying and harassment becoming an even bigger social problem, a book like this is just what is needed to help start the conversation earlier between parents and children. Citizen Watch Company has supported higher education for the past two years as a corporate sponsor of the National Merit Scholarship Foundation and we are proud to expand our educational support with a donation to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation in honor of Matt Kenseth.”
Matt Kenseth’s Race Against Bullying is a 22-page, 10 x 10-inch, soft-cover book, retailing for $3 at more than 11,300 Dollar General stores nationwide and online at www.dollargeneral.com.
Written by Gina Gold, illustrated by Adam Devaney and produced by Judy O Productions, Inc., Matt Kenseth’s Race Against Bullying was created by Matt and Katie Kenseth and is published by Bendon, Inc.
About Dollar General
Dollar General Corporation (NYSE: DG) has been delivering value to shoppers for 75 years. Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day!® by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at low everyday prices in convenient neighborhood locations. With more than 11,300 stores in 40 states, Dollar General has more retail locations than any retailer in America. In addition to high quality private brands, Dollar General sells products from America’s most-trusted manufacturers such as Clorox, Energizer, Procter & Gamble, Hanes, Coca-Cola, Mars, Unilever, Nestle, Kimberly-Clark, Kellogg’s, General Mills, and PepsiCo. For more information on Dollar General, please visit www.dollargeneral.com.
About the Dollar General Literacy Foundation
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation was established in 1993 in honor of Dollar General’s co-founder, J.L. Turner, who was functionally illiterate with only a third grade education. He was a farmer’s son who dropped out of school when his father was killed in an accident. With determination and hard work, he began what has now become a successful company. We understand sometimes life circumstances prevent individuals from learning to read or graduating from high school, but it’s never too late to learn. Through funding initiatives, we are committed to helping individuals of all ages learn to read, prepare for their high school equivalency or learn English. To learn more about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, please visit www.dgliteracy.org.
About CITIZEN Watch
CITIZEN holds the leading position in the mid-priced watch market in the United States, setting itself apart from its competitors with its ecologically friendly Eco-Drive technology. Utilizing the power of light, Citizen Eco-Drive technology converts light into stored energy to power a watch for at least six months, even in the dark. Powered by light. Any light. A watch that never needs a battery.
