Thursday, June 22, 2006

Keds Corporation Partners with Boston Scholars Program

Keds Cares Campaign Supports Local Educational Initiative for Kids

Taking a cue from their ad campaign titled "be cool," the Keds Corporation today announced one of their coolest collaborations yet - a partnership with the Boston Scholars Program.

As part of its partnership with the Boston Scholars Program, Keds will sponsor several of the organization's key events. Keds will also implement a unique mentorship program - "Keds Scholar Shadow Days" - during which Boston Scholars spend time at the company's headquarters in Lexington, Mass., and "shadow" staff members throughout their workdays. These Shadow Days will allow students to gain exposure to the day-to-day activities of a major corporation. The partnership kick-off event will be a Community Service Day at the Boston Nature Center this summer. Each Scholar will work with representatives from Keds as well as their individual mentors to help maintain the sanctuary's appearance. As is the goal of all the Program's Scholar-focused events, this outing will teach the kids teamwork and leadership skills as well as provide them with an opportunity to learn about the Nature Center. Keds will also support the organization's flagship event, the Annual Masquerade Party on Saturday, October 28, 2006 to help raise funds and awareness.

"As part of the Stride Rite Corporation, we at Keds are committed to being an active participant in our local community, and we can't think of a better way to do that than to support the development of today's youth," noted Shawn Neville, group president of Keds and Saucony. "By becoming actively involved with these amazing students, together with the Boston Scholars Program, hopefully we are able to impress upon these Scholars the values they personally strive to live by everyday, and inspire them to continue their pursuits to further their education."

"We are thrilled to have Keds as a corporate partner," said Rob Higby, Executive Director on the Board of Directors of the Boston Scholars Program. "It's refreshing to work with a corporation that shares our philosophy for not only giving back to the community, but also in providing kids with opportunities that will give them the tools they need to be successful, productive leaders, and mentors, for the rest of their lives."

About The Keds Corp.
The Keds Corp. is a subsidiary of The Stride Rite Corporation, a company that markets the leading brand of high quality children's shoes in the United States. Other footwear products for children and adults are marketed by the Company under well-known brand names including Keds, Pro-Keds, Saucony, Sperry Top-Sider, Tommy Hilfiger, Grasshoppers and Munchkin. Information about the Company is available on website - www.strideritecorp.com. Information about the Company's brands and product lines is available at www.striderite.com, www.keds.com, www.saucony.com, www.ProKeds.com, www.sperrytopsider.com and www.grasshoppers.com.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Boston Magazine's Most Wanted Singles Event Benefits Boston Scholars

Julia Perkins was recently named one of Boston Magazine's Most Wanted Singles. On Thursday, June 8th, Julia and the other singles were auctioned off for dates at Gypsy Bar in Boston, and the Boston Scholars Program was selected as the recipient of all of the proceeds from Julia's auction. Click here to read the article on Julia from Boston Magazine.

Monday, June 5, 2006

Boston Scholars Welcomes Our Newest Employee - Laurine Lamour

Laurine Lamour joined the Boston Scholars Program as our Program Manager. In this position, she will focus on developing the program and managing the Boston Scholars experience for our Scholars, Mentors, and families. Originally from East Boston, Laurine comes with a passion for providing educational opportunities for Boston-area youth. Laurine joins us after exploring a career in law at firms such as Sullivan and Worcester LLP and Wilmer Cutlering Hale and Dorr LLP and at the Boston Bar Association. Laurine attended Hamilton College with a full-tuition Posse Scholarship and graduated with a major in English and a minor in Economics. For a complete profile of Laurine, please click here.