Gymboree colors the world for kids

Gymboree is launching a colorful new campaign aimed at increasing awareness of a cause near and dear to the heart of its core customers.

The retailer has started a new effort to raise money in Gymboree and Gymboree Outlet stores to fund arts and crafts requests made by teachers on DonorsChoose.org. The goal is to fulfill classroom requests in every county where there is a Gymboree retail location.

"Color and creativity is the hallmark of Gymboree," said Mark Breitbard, Gymboree CEO. "When DonorsChoose.org shared that coloring supplies were one of the top requests made by teachers around the country, we recognized the immediate opportunity to mobilize our customers and employees to help their local schools."

This past June, Gymboree kicked off its "Let's Color Together" initiative by surprising a classroom in Oakland, Calif. Fans can watch the surprise and meet the students, teacher and Gymboree employees who took part in the fun on Gymboree TV at Gymboree stores or on gymboree.com/colortogether, where they'll also find colorful, mix-and-match clothing ideas perfect for the back-to-school season. The website also includes creativity-fueling activities and downloadable coloring sheets inspired by the work of the Oakland students.

Gymboree will be accepting donations toward "Let's Color Together" in Gymboree and Gymboree Outlet stores through Sept. 7. All donations will go toward supporting a local neighborhood classroom that has specifically requested art and craft materials via DonorsChoose.org. The money donated goes to projects in the highest-need schools in the donor's community that has the least amount of time remaining before the project request expires. Even a single dollar supplies a child with a pack of crayons for the year.

Gymboree operates 1,300 stores worldwide and on www.gymboree.com.