LOS ANGELES, Oct. 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global superstar and philanthropist Jason Derulo, on behalf of the Just For You Foundation, hosted a 2,000-bag backpack build to benefit underserved students in the Los Angeles area. The event took place earlier today at Vista Charter Middle School in Los Angeles.
Founded by Derulo in honor of his beloved grandmother, Mama Luca, the Just For You Foundation is focused on raising funds to promote education, providing shelter to orphans and families, feeding the homeless and promoting health in the United States and globally.
With the support of generous contributors including Vera Bradley, a leading American bag and luggage company and iconic lifestyle brand, and nonprofits Blessings in a Backpack and Kids in Need Foundation, Derulo led 150 eighth-graders from Vista Charter Middle School in the build event. Vera Bradley provided 2,000 backpacks to the charitable effort, while Blessings in a Backpack and Kids in Need contributed food and core school supplies. Derulo also announced a donation in partnership with the organizations to feed 50 students with weekend food kits for the entire 2019-2020 school year.
The students of Vista Charter spent the morning filling each backpack with nonperishable food and school supplies. The students, who were recipients of a Vera Bradley backpack donation one year ago, paid it forward by volunteering their time for this year’s backpack assembly. Backpacks will be distributed to underserved students in the community in the coming weeks.
“On behalf of the Just For You Foundation, I am grateful for the opportunity to support kids in the Los Angeles area. All students need foundation tools and supplies at every level of their education. I’m proud that our Foundation can spearhead the effort of providing backpacks, food, and core school supplies to 2,000 underserved kids. We appreciate the support of our generous partners greatly,” said Derulo.
ABOUT JUST FOR YOU FOUNDATION
Founded by global multi-platinum recording artist Jason Derulo and his mother Joyce in 2018, Just For You Foundation endeavors to support education, bring shelter to at-risk orphans and families, and encourage health in the United States and around the world through fundraising and global events.
Among many philanthropic initiatives, the organization hosts the annual “Heart of Haiti Gala,” which benefits Haitian communities burdened by natural disasters, chronic poverty, and economic, political, and social challenges through the implementation of life-changing programs. To accomplish this mission, the charity regularly works with partners such as Sean Penn’s non-profit J/P Haitian Relief Organization and more. Additionally, other events and givebacks include work with School of Hope and a backpack build in Los Angeles alongside Vera Bradley, to name a few.
Joyce initially presented the idea of launching a foundation to Jason in 2018. Together, they decided to build the charity to uphold the philanthropic spirit of Jason’s late grandmother and family matriarch Mama Luca. She raised 15 kids in Haiti and consistently brightened the lives of those in the local community and beyond by offering food, clothing, and anything else within her grasp to share some light.
Her selflessness influenced and inspired a legacy of philanthropy and goodwill amongst the family embodied by Just For You Foundation.
ABOUT VERA BRADLEY
Vera Bradley is a leading designer of women’s handbags, luggage and travel items, fashion and home accessories, and unique gifts. Founded in 1982 by friends Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller, the brand’s innovative designs, iconic patterns, and brilliant colors continue to inspire and connect women unlike any other brand in the global marketplace. Vera Bradley offers a multi-channel sales model as well as a focus on service and a high level of customer engagement. The Company’s commitment to bringing more beauty into women’s lives includes its dedication to breast cancer research through the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer.
In July 2019, Vera Bradley acquired a 75% interest in Creative Genius, Inc., which also operates under the name Pura Vida Bracelets (“Pura Vida”). Pura Vida, based in La Jolla, California, is a rapidly growing, digitally native, and highly engaging lifestyle brand that deeply resonates with its loyal consumer following. The Pura Vida brand has a differentiated and expanding offering of bracelets, jewelry, and other lifestyle accessories.
For more information about Vera Bradley, visit www.verabradley.com or follow the brand @VeraBradley on Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT KIDS IN NEED FOUNDATION
The Kids In Need Foundation’s mission is to ensure that every child is prepared to learn and succeed in the classroom by providing free school supplies nationally to students most in need. The Kids In Need Foundation, a national 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 1995, has distributed $1 billion in school supplies since the Foundation’s inception; and benefitted more than 6 million students and nearly 200,000 teachers in 2018. For more information, visit KINF.org, and join us on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram: @KidsInNeed.
ABOUT BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK
Hunger has both short- and long-term negative effects on children’s health and ability to succeed in school. Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry. Blessings in a Backpack is providing 3.2 million hunger-free weekends for nearly 93,000 children in 46 states and the District of Columbia. For more information visit www.blessingsinabackpack.org.
ABOUT JASON DERULO
With more than 130 million records sold worldwide, Jason Derulo is a multi-platinum powerhouse singer, songwriter and entertainer whose single “Colors,” the Coca-Cola Anthem for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, has reached over 271 million streams across all platforms. His single "Whatcha Say" has now earned 5x platinum status while "Talk Dirty," "Want To Want Me" and "Ridin' Solo" [feat. 2 Chainz] have reached quadruple-platinum status. "Wiggle" [feat. Snoop Dogg] went triple-platinum and "Trumpets" and "In My Head" earned double-platinum certifications. Platinum singles include "Marry Me," "The Other Side," "It Girl," "Get Ugly" and "Don't Wanna Go Home."
Cumulative streams continue to soar, exceeding 16 billion overall and nearly 6 billion YouTube views. At radio, his music has impacted a total audience of 22 billion-plus listeners with a staggering 4.4 billion spins. Jason was a featured performer for the Monday Night Football theme, is an investor in many enterprises, including Catch L.A. and Rumble Boxing with Sylvester Stallone and Ashton Kutcher, and he has a partnership with Warner Chappell Music through his publishing company, Future History. Jason Derulo now gears up to unveil his newest album 2Sides. The project will include summer scorcher “Mamacita” [feat. Farruko], which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Latin Digital Sales chart and has over 92 million streams, smash track “Goodbye” with David Guetta [feat. Nikki Minaj & Willy William], which currently has over 194 million streams on Spotify alone, chart-topping hit “Swalla” [feat. Nikki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign] clocking in at 2 billion audio streams and 1.3 billion video views, “Tip Toe” [feat. French Montana] with a staggering 772 million streams across platforms, “If I’m Lucky” has over 292 streams, and “If It Ain’t Love” coming in with more than 366 million cumulative streams.
CONTACTS
Aishah White
SVP, Media & Strategic Development
Warner Records
(818) 953-3277
Vera Bradley Media:
877-708-VERA (8372)
Mediacontact@verabradley.com