Family Christian Stores Partners With Compassion International

Compassion International
Tuesday, 24 July 2001

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan, July 24, 2001 -- National retailer Family Christian Stores announced today an aggressive campaign with the international not-for-profit child development organization Compassion International to raise money for needy children around the world.

The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer has agreed to give a $50 Family Christian Stores gift certificate for every person who signs up to sponsor a child with Compassion International. Compassion International is an evangelical Christian child development ministry dedicated to releasing children from poverty around the world. Sponsorship sign-ups are available at any of Family's 350 locations nationwide, via their Web site, www.familychristian.com, or through their catalog. The program runs through Labor Day.

Compassion's child sponsorship program provides developmental opportunities that include formal and informal schooling, skills training, health screening and monitoring, and exposure to the Gospel. In short, Compassion focuses on the real life needs of children - physical, spiritual, economic, and social. Compassion currently serves nearly 400,000 children worldwide.

"We expect our partnership with Compassion International to play an immediate role in meeting the needs of the long list of underprivileged children waiting for a sponsor," said Les Dietzman, president and CEO of Family Christian Stores. "I would encourage the Christian community and our customers to take this opportunity to bless the life of a child in a way they have never experienced before."

Sponsorship for a Compassion child is $28 per month. Each child is matched with a sponsor, and he or she is connected with a local church-based program that partners with Compassion International. Compassion-assisted children receive educational opportunities, health and hygiene training and monitoring, social skills development, and involvement in the church where they receive love, guidance, recreation, personal attention and exposure to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"From its early beginnings in 1952, Compassion has expanded from one country, one project and 35 needy children to a worldwide ministry that now serves nearly 400,000 children in 22 countries, including the United States" said Dave Olson, direct marketing director for Compassion International. "While our progress is tremendous, we still have a waiting list of 30,000 children who are looking for a sponsor. We are thankful for this partnership with Family Christian Stores and encourage everyone to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to make a difference in a child's life."

Founded in 1952, Colorado Springs, Colo.-based Compassion International (www.compassion.com) is a Christian not-for-profit organization dedicated to the long-term holistic development of children living in poverty. Working with denominations and indigenous churches in about 2,200 church-based projects, Compassion is currently reaching out to nearly 400,000 children in 22 countries, including the United States.

Family Christian Stores (www.familychristian.com) is the nation's largest Christian retailer with approximately 350 stores in 39 states. Family Christian Stores' mission is to offer the broadest selection of high-quality, Christian products of exceptional value in a family environment. Family Christian Stores locations offer thousands of products including Christian books and Bibles, music, gifts and cards, apparel, children's merchandise and church supplies.

For more information, or to contact Compassion International, see their website at: www.compassion.com