Primrose in the Community
Primrose makes a difference in local communities across America!
Preschool education is so much more than just learning and numbers. It is the foundation for a child’s future. At Primrose, we value social responsibility as a foundation for character development. Giving back to others is a passion shared throughout our organization and helping children understand generosity continues to be one of our most important initiatives. During each year, special community fund raising events are planned, and the proceeds are donated to local children’s charities in addition to several national charitable organizations. The Primrose staff, the children, and their families—at each school—participate in activities that encourage community giving and a spirit of helping others.
Helping Hands: Children’s community awareness program
Our Helping Hands events and programs instill in children a desire to give of themselves and to help others. By experiencing the joy of giving, Primrose students discover the warmth of being able to contribute and make a difference in their communities.
Primrose Schools nationwide participate in the following events:
- February—Og's Bountiful Books (Book Drive)
- April—Spring Fling (Family event fundraiser to support national and local charities)
- July—Precious Pets (Pet Food & Supplies Drive)
- November—Caring and Giving (Food Drive)
In addition to the annual Helping Hands events, Primrose has ongoing character development activities for the children and a unique Adopt-A-Grandparent program, where Primrose students and senior residents come together for activities such as sharing holiday parties, reading, exchanging presents, or enjoying a snack together. Sometimes the children go to the senior citizens center; other times the seniors come to the children.
Primrose Children’s Foundation®
Our school-based national giving program, the Primrose Children’s Foundation, is a not-for-profit organization that was created to combine fundraising efforts from individual Primrose Schools. All schools contribute to the Foundation at least once a year by donating a portion of the money raised through their Spring Fling event. The combined funds are then used to make an even greater impact on the lives of young children and families in need. The Foundation has always supported organizations that focus on the needs of young children and their families. Most recently, the Foundation has focused its efforts on supporting two national organizations, Reach Out and Read and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®.
Reach Out and Read
Reach Out and Read provides books to pediatric practices in a wide range of settings (hospitals, health clinics, private practice) serving a large percentage of at-risk children and families. The books are carefully chosen to be developmentally and culturally appropriate for the populations served. Doctors and nurses give a book to a child during each well-child visit, in addition to specific advice to parents about reading with young children and other developmental literacy issues.
In 2010, Reach Out and Read’s 26,500 volunteer doctors and nurse practitioners provided 6.2 million new books to 3.9 million children at 4,535 healthcare locations in all 50 states. Last year the students, staff and families from Primrose Schools nationwide donated $195,000 to Reach Out and Read. In the past five years, Primrose has donated more than $831,000 to support the efforts of this important organization.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
® raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals across North America, which, in turn, use the money where it’s needed the most. When a donation is given it stays in the community, ensuring that every dollar is helping local kids.
In 2010, Primrose launched its first national campaign with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to promote physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices by encouraging families across the country to boogie on down! The Family Dance-off is an online dance contest that not only rewards the winning families who display their best dance moves, but their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals win too!
Last year, Primrose Schools donated $30,000 to the winning family’s local children’s hospital and in 2011 Primrose will donate a total of $65,000 to three hospitals! Click here to learn more about the Family Dance-off.
As The Leader in Educational Child Care®, we know that a deep sense of community is an important part of character development. It is the heart of our culture and is brought to life at Primrose each day.