Jo-Ann donates more than $5M in 2012

HUDSON, Ohio — Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores announced that in 2012 the company’s year-end corporate giving total surpassed $5 million for the first time in the retailer’s history.

“I am extremely proud of Jo-Ann team members and customers for their contributions in helping Jo-Ann Stores surpass $5 million in charitable giving during 2012,” said Travis Smith, CEO and president of Jo-Ann Stores. “Our corporate vision includes being the best fabric and craft retail brand for our communities, and this milestone is a testament to our commitment to that promise.”

A diverse group of charitable organizations benefitted from Jo-Ann charitable giving initiatives during 2012. Goodwill Industries International, Inc., the primary recipient of merchandise discards at the store level, was the greatest benefactor having received more than $4.8 million over the course of the year.

The Inspired to Help program grants each new Jo-Ann store the opportunity to make a $2,000 donation to a local school and each of the three Jo-Ann Distribution Centers the opportunity to donate $3,000 quarterly to the local non-profit organizations of their choosing. In 2012, a total of $142,000 was donated to various schools and organizations across the country through the Inspired to Help program.

Jo-Ann customers contributed more than $92,000 via in-store coin box donations to the American Heart Association and American Red Cross – more than $46,000 of the total coin box donations was raised for the American Red Cross Hurricane Sandy and Other Related Storms Relief Fund over the course of just seven weeks.

Promoting opportunities in education was once again a pillar of Jo-Ann giving efforts in 2012. The Kids in Need Foundation received a $25,000 grant to provide K-12 educators funding to pursue innovative learning opportunities for their students. 2012 was also the inaugural year of the Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. First Generation Scholarship for Fashion Design and Merchandising awarded to a first generation college student enrolled in The Fashion School at Kent State University.