Communities In Schools and Hudson Booksellers Encourage Holiday Travelers to Help Kids Stay in School.

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 24, 2014  — Communities In Schools (CIS), the nation’s largest and most effective dropout prevention organization is teaming up again with Hudson Group, North America’s premier travel retailer, for a new campaign to help young people across the country stay in school.

The campaign, which kicks off this week, is designed to reach the millions of travelers who shop at Hudson Booksellers, Hudson, Hudson News and specialty retail stores in airports and commuter terminals (and online), inspiring them to change the picture of education in America.

As part of the campaign, Hudson Booksellers will:

– Offer a 20% discount off the list price of all print book sales at HudsonBooksellers.com to customers using the promotional code CIS20

– Donate 10% of all eligible online sales directly to Communities In Schools

– Highlight CIS information in its holiday book buying brochure

– Distribute CIS branded bookmarks to all customers in retail stores

– Provide in-store ads and digital advertising space for Communities In Schools on store tablets and digital devices.

The campaign represents a major expansion of a successful donation box program. Three years ago, Hudson set up donation boxes at their cash counters, encouraging customers to contribute their change directly to Communities In Schools. That initiative has already generated close to $1,000,000 in donations to CIS.

“We are extremely excited and gratified by this expansion of our collaboration with Hudson Group,” said Matt Heller, executive vice president of marketing and communications for Communities In Schools. “Hudson is one of our largest corporate contributors, and their in-store donation program has raised significant money to help support our students while providing great exposure for our Change the Picture campaign.”

Hudson Group CEO Joseph DiDomizio acknowledged the generosity of Hudson’s customers and pledged Hudson’s continuing strong commitment to Communities In Schools.

“I have visited schools and seen first-hand the work of CIS site coordinators who have literally changed the lives of children with something as basic as a warm winter coat, necessary school supplies or just something to eat,” said DiDomizio. “We are proud and happy to support CIS in their vital mission of keeping kids in school.”

About Communities In Schools: Communities In Schools (CIS) is the nation’s largest and most effective dropout prevention organization, dedicated to doing whatever it takes to help students succeed in school and achieve in life. Operating in more than 2,200 schools in the most challenged communities of 26 states and the District of Columbia, Communities In Schools serves 1.3 million young people and their families each year.  Based directly inside schools throughout the country, Communities In Schools connects students and their families to basic and critical educational and community-based resources, tailored to each student’s specific needs.  Learn more about Communities In Schools at www.CommunitiesInSchools.org.

About Hudson Group:  Hudson Group, the largest duty-paid travel retailer in North America, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of international travel retailer Dufry AG (DUFN) of Basel, Switzerland. Hudson Group operates over 700 Hudson, Hudson News, Hudson Booksellers, cafes, specialty retail and duty free shops in 70 airports and transportation terminals in the United States and Canada. Dufry operates over 1,700 stores in more than 60 countries and 240 airports and transportation terminals around the world. The Hudson Booksellers division is headquartered in Marietta, Georgia.

RELATED LINKS:  www.communitiesinschools.org/

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