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January 23, 2015
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Executive Director Dy Brown, (202) 667-7010
EDbrown@jack-and-jill.org
Jack and Jill of America Encourages Early Childhood Literacy and
Parental Involvement through Its Bedtime Stories
and a designated “No Cell Phone Day”
Nation’s premier African-American family organization partners with authors to bring stories to
life through technology and calls for parents to spend more time with children.
Washington, D.C.—Jack and Jill of America, Inc., a national organization of mothers focused
on helping African-American youth reach their full potential, is taking its Bedtime Stories
program to the next level with a call to action prompted by the children’s book No Cell Phone
Day, written by Delfeayo Marsalis and illustrated by Reginald William Butler.
“We are excited to introduce children to this award winning book through our national Bedtime
Stories webinar series,” said Jack and Jill of America National President Tammy King. “Not
only is this a great story to support early childhood literacy, but it’s a wonderful call to action for
parents to spend time with their children reading and experiencing life.”
Jack and Jill of America Bedtime Stories is an early childhood literacy initiative that provides a
unique resource of children’s books that entertain, promote self-esteem, support language
development and simply make reading fun for pre-k through 3rd grade children. The program
also taps into the organization’s focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math by
inviting children from across the nation to participate in a live webinar with the author of a
children’s book. The author reads a story while children are logged in from the comfort of their
homes or wherever they may be.
To kick off 2015, the organization will present two webinars that will feature the author reading
No Cell Phone Day to children across the nation. In addition, the organization is encouraging
parents and other adults to put their cell phones aside on Sunday, January 25 to dedicate
focused time with children.
According to a Highlights magazine survey of 1,500 children, the use of cell phones is the
number one source of parental distraction. Sixty-two percent of those surveyed believe parents
are too distracted to listen.
“As busy moms and dads, we often are as tied to our cell phones as our children are,” King
added. “This wonderfully written story reminds us of the value of spending quality time with our
children. We encourage parents to take the day to experience what it’s like to really enjoy each
other without the interruption of texting, tweeting and cell phone conversations that take you
away from being fully present with loved ones.”
For more information, visit http://jackandjillinc.org .
#JJBedtime
#JJNoCellPhoneSunday
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ABOUT JACK AND JILL OF AMERICA, INC.
Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is an organization founded in 1938 with the mission of stimulating
the growth and development of children through educational, cultural, civic, recreational, health
and social programs inspired by mothers. Through its more than 230 chapters organized in
seven regions across the United States, the organization consists of more than 30,000 family
members which includes, mother members, fathers and children ages two through 19. Jack and
Jill is committed to community service, leadership development and legislative advocacy for the
betterment of conditions of children.
ABOUT JACK AND JILL OF AMERICA FOUNDATION
Jack and Jill Chapters also support non-profit organizations through its philanthropic arm, the
Jack and Jill of America Foundation, among the first foundations established by AfricanAmerican families in the United States. Since its founding in 1968, the Foundation has granted
millions of dollars to worthy causes supporting children and families.