Pitney Bowes and WNBA Team Up on National Literacy Program

Pitney Bowes Inc. and the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) are coming together to raise awareness and funding for literacy across the United States. Six WNBA teams will participate in the season-long initiative to engage fans while raising funds for local, community-based literacy programs. Pitney Bowes's participation with the WNBA will help build or renovate a Reading and Learning Center at the end of the season in the community of the team that raises the most funds for literacy.

The Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Los Angeles Sparks, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm and Washington Mystics are the six participating WNBA teams in the national literacy program. Each team will kick-off a local literacy program when the WNBA season starts in May. Fundraising efforts will include a donation supporting literacy when fans purchase special tickets, as well as additional activities. Fans who participate in the program will be seated in a special section at designated home games and kids will also have opportunities to participate in reading sessions with WNBA players at "Reading Time Out" events.

Pitney Bowes will also support the WNBA's Read to Achieve events throughout the season with the six participating teams. Read to Achieve is a year-round, league-wide initiative that promotes the value of reading and on-line literacy and encourages families and adults to read regularly with young children.

To introduce the national literacy program, Pitney Bowes and the WNBA are holding a Youth Reading Rally in Tampa, Florida today with young students from Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa. Participants will include a WNBA legend and current players, local dignitaries, and WNBA and Pitney Bowes executives. The event will be held at a local Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) location.

For additional information on the Pitney Bowes and WNBA literacy program, visit: http://www.readingisyourticket.com/.