by AVONDALE, Ariz. – As part of its corporate social responsibility program, leading mattress manufacturer King Koil is partnering with the Boys & Girls Club of Kissimmee, Florida to provide more than 100 area children with “a look into the future” of the opportunities they will have by focusing on STEM studies in school.
The program takes place in two parts, an after-school opening party on May 17 th with a DJ, pizza, gifts, and games, to help set the stage about the importance of STEM education. Then on Saturday, the 6- to 12-year-olds will go to EPCOT for a special tour of the Walt Disney World Resort. It takes place around an annual sleep products industry conference that brings together more than 300 executives top executives, many of whom will participate in the program.
“We all have a responsibility as individuals and as corporations to give back and I love being aligned with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America because it’s an organization devoted to keeping kids safe and providing a positive environment where they can learn, play and grow,” said David Binke, King Koil, CEO. “This initiative is particularly meaningful to me because while both of these events are certainly designed to ensure the children will have fun, the larger focus is on making a lasting impression about the value of education and how it can drive change in individual lives, as well as our communities.”
Surprisingly, most of the children have not previously been to any of the local theme parks for economic reasons, despite living in its shadow. King Koil has a long history of staging events focusing on the needs of children. Last year, during a barbecue, the company donated $25,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of West Valley, based near the company’s headquarters in Avondale, Arizona. The funds were used to help pay for before-and-after-school programs that foster academic success, healthy lifestyle, and workforce opportunities. As part of that effort, the company also distributed 130 backpacks to children in the area.
Other King Koil philanthropic initiatives have included bicycle and skateboard building events to benefit underprivileged children; donations to Camp Carefree, which provides a free camp experience for children with chronic, terminal, or debilitating conditions; and donations to City of Hope, the research hospital that treats people with cancer, diabetes, and other diseases.
