Dressed Their Best: Fast-Growing Foster Kids Get Outfitted by Sleep Country USA's Clothing Drive

SEATTLE, WA, August 16, 2010 (Press-News.org) Once again, Sleep Country USA's Foster Kids Clothing Drive has attracted the support of its community of generous individuals and businesses that contributed clothing to help area foster children look sharp this fall. Washington and Oregon's more than 26,000 foster kids are benefiting from the 23,000 items of clothing donated, including new shirts, sweaters, jeans, socks, and undergarments.

"Children everywhere welcome the opportunity to wear something new, especially as they head back to school, and for foster children, who may already feel 'different' from their peers, getting new clothing can offer a much-needed boost to their self esteem," said Don Darland, President, Oregon Foster Parent Association. "Receiving items as simple as a new pair of jeans and new windbreaker for fall are exciting for many of these kids - also offering an important reminder that they are surrounded by communities of caring individuals. All Sleep Country USA asks of these communities is that they support children and youth who are placed in out-of-home care through generous donations of new items."

Sleep Country USA (www.sleepcountryusa.com), the number one bedding specialist in the Northwest, holds its annual Clothing Drive as part of an ongoing effort to provide foster children with material items that their foster families might not be able to afford. The new clothing items are distributed among Sleep Country USA's foster care partners who provide foster children and their families with support and help to obtain the clothing they need for replacing items that don't fit or are too tattered to continue to wear.

"As we watch our Foster Kids Program flourish and increase in its reach and impact year after year, it's astounding to see how our company can affect change for a group of such deserving individuals," said Terry Horsley, vice president of brand strategy for Sleep Country USA. "Helping our foster children maintain a positive self-image while wearing clothes that fit is crucial to paving the way for lifelong success, and we're proud to have such tremendous support from our community, local businesses and our employees."

In addition to the drive, Sleep Country USA teamed up with Wild Waves Theme Park in Federal Way, Washington, to host 500 foster families free of cost. Sleep Country USA and Wild Waves also provided an opportunity for individuals who donated clothing items to receive half-price admission to the theme park. The total donation on behalf of Wild Waves exceeded $30,000, and over 600 items of clothing were collected.

Missed your chance to cool down at Wild Waves in June? Sleep Country USA will again be hosting 500 foster families and offering half-price admission on August 22nd. Just bring in new school supply items for Sleep Country USA's School Supply Drive to receive your discount. Items such as backpacks, calculators, rulers, notebooks, crayons, markers, and more can also be dropped off at any Sleep Country USA location through September 6th. For more information on Sleep Country USA's ongoing foster kids programs, or to find the Sleep Country USA store nearest to you to make a donation, please visit www.sleepcountry.com or call 1-888-88-SLEEP. Store hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

About Sleep Country USA
Sleep Country USA is the No. 1 bedding specialist in the Northwest, with more than 70 mattress retail stores throughout Washington and Oregon. Founded in 1991, Sleep Country USA features top-quality, brand-name mattresses from Sealy, Posturepedic , Simmons Beautyrest , Stearns & Foster, and Tempur-Pedic , as well as premium adjustable beds, futons, and wood and metal accent beds. The company emphasizes customer service and satisfaction with its Money Back Comfort Guarantee and Free Red Carpet Delivery Service. Sleep Country USA's award-winning Sleep Country Foster Kids program actively contributes to its communities through ongoing donation drives and fundraising events that benefit the area's more than 26,000 foster children. For more information about Sleep Country USA or the Sleep Country Foster Kids program, please visit www.sleepcountry.com or call 1-888-88-SLEEP.

Media Contacts:
Revolution PR for Sleep Country USA
Jennifer Karkar Ritchie
(206) 932-2454 | jennifer@revolutionpr.com
Or
Aaron Hilst
(206) 355-3506 | aaron@revolutionpr.com