The Hot Wheels Legends Tour is back! Now in its fourth year, the 2021 tour will kick off with virtual events and eventually expand into in-person awesomeness.
Presented by Mobil 1, the Hot Wheel Legends Tour is open for fan submissions. This means fans will get their chance to enter their cool cars to become the next 1:64 die-cast toy model.
photo courtesy of Hot Wheels
Ted Wu, Global Head of Hot Wheels Design at Mattel, said in a press release, “Finding time to build isn’t always easy, but with many spending more time at home in the garage over the past year, we expect to see so many more passion-project submissions for the 2021 Hot Wheels Legends Tour.”
The 2021 tour will include regional winners and a Mobil 1 Fan Favorite. These cars are entered into the semi-finals—with 10 finalists chosen. Hot Wheels will reveal the champion in November at the tour’s grand finale event.
Events will span the globe, with live and virtual tour stops starting this spring in New Zealand (Apr. 15), Australia (Apr. 22) and the United States and Canada (Apr. 29). Visit the Hot Wheels Legends Tour website for more information.
Monday Mar. 8 is International Women’s Day and there is plenty to celebrate. In honor of the big day, Mattel has announced the newest doll to join the Inspiring Women series and it’s none other than First Lady of the United States, UN Spokesperson and human rights activist, Eleanor Roosevelt.
The Barbie Inspiring Women Series is all about showcasing historical and present-day role models who’ve made it possible for girls of today to reach their dreams. Roosevelt was known as the “First Lady of the World” for her efforts and dedication surrounding humanitarian efforts and was a champion on the topics of civil and economic rights.
The Eleanor Roosevelt doll joins those launched over the past year: Dr. Maya Angelou, Billie Jean King, Ella Fitzgerald, Florence Nightingale, Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Earhart, Katherine Johnson, Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks and Sally Ride. The Inspiring Women doll can now be purchased at retailers ($29.99) nationwide beginning today, Mar. 3.
As if that wasn’t exciting enough, Mattel has also launched the “You Can Be Anything Virtual Series” which connects fans of Barbie with role models. The series starts Sat. Mar. 6 at 10:00 a.m. PST and will stream on Barbie’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
The series will consist of inspiring, interactive, and educational 15-30 minute live streams with female leaders and influencers such as Yara Shahidi and Adwoa Aboah, with new content airing weekly on Saturdays. The themes include:
2021 is looking a little more promising, and families are making plans for upcoming birthdays and celebrations. Even if it’s small, we’re sure there’s a party in your future (or at least there should be). Make it special with unique and different party supplies from one of our favorite Seattle-area spots. From balloon arches and sweet bars, to costumes and yard games, here’s where to find what you need.
Champion Party Supply
Champion Party Supply
Some parents hire a costumed character to make an appearance at their kid’s birthday party. Others opt to have the guest of honor dress up for the occasion. Either way, Champion Party can take care of your needs at a fraction of the cost (as long as you find a willing adult to play the part for you.) They offer a huge variety of costumes to rent all year long. We love the mascot animals to rent including the Abominable Snowman, beaver, bee, cow, horse, gorilla, tiger and two different lions to choose from. You’ll also find a few super heroes, Mario and Luigi, Snow White, a pirate and more. On the plus side, these costumes are heavy-duty professional-looking costumes. On the downside, you’ll have to give them back when the party is over!
1461 Elliott Ave. W. Seattle, WA 98119 206-284-1980 Online:championparty.com
Red Balloon Company
Red Balloon Company
Although not the biggest party store, The Red Balloon Company has a lot more than you would expect. As their name suggests, they offer about 100 different types of balloons (not all of them red) for pick-up and delivery in the greater Seattle area. But the store itself also features gifts, decorations, games, plush toys and many different party theme ideas including robots, the ocean, unicorns (of course), a safari, space, dinosaurs and others.
417 15th Ave. E. Seattle, WA 98112 206-467-0319 Online:redballoon.com
Prime Party
Jeffrey Totey
Located in Monroe, Prime Party offers a fun mix of supplies, featuring characters you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, in addition to the standard cups, plates and napkins, Prime Party also offers unique items like large cardboard character cutouts for photo-taking, tabletop awnings or numbers to celebrate special birthdays, water bottle labels, favor boxes, “Sur-Prise Punch Games” and bingo games. They even have icing decoration sheets that a bakery can put on the birthday kiddo's cake. You’ll also find some great ideas on how to hold a socially distanced party, party theme ideas and more.
For kids who are character crazy, this is a great spot to know. You’ll find products based on characters from the Max and Ruby, Geronimo Stilton and Llama Llama children’s books. Parents are not left out either. The shop also offers party gear centered on The Golden Girls, Beverly Hills 90210, Star Trek, MacGyver and other nostalgic shows. In fact, you could host a painting party for kids and parents because Prime Party offers two lines of products featuring the famous TV painter, Bob Ross! You can order online or pick up your items directly from their showroom (just be sure to call ahead).
16778 146th St. S.E., Suite 140 Monroe, WA 98272 833-497-2789 Online:primeparty.com
Seattle Balloon Decorations
Seattle Balloon Decorations
Holy moley! We love the amazing decoration designs made by Mayumi and her crew at Seattle Balloon Decorations. Not only is their work impressive, but it has been featured at many weddings, parties, corporate events and yes, birthday parties. You can go small (table centerpieces start at $10) to huge (balloon arch designs start at $120) or anything in-between. If you want to do something truly unique and different, choose their large paper flower cut-outs. They definitely offer that “wow” factor and unlike balloons, they can continue to decorate a room for many months. They also offer balloon animal artists and glitter tattoo artists. They will travel anywhere in Seattle, Bellevue and their surrounding cities.
Maybe, just maybe you’re interested in giving cake making a try instead of just making one from a mix or ordering one from a local bakery. If so, we recommend visiting Dave at Home Cake Decorating. An experienced baker himself, Dave knows a thing or three about making and baking, and he is more than willing to share his knowledge with you (or you can find them on his website). His store is crammed full of everything you would ever need and more including ingredients, tools, fillings, icings, pans, cupcake liners, dusts, glitters, flavorings, fondants and piping supplies. You can even dress up the simplest cupcake with his many novelty toppers that come in a variety of themes including dinosaurs, animals, sports, princesses, pirates, space, butterflies and even local town heroes.
Since 1952, Display and Costume has been providing families and friends the tools they need to pull off the perfect party. One thing that we love about this store is its huge collection of décor items separated by color including tablecloths, cups, bowls and plates, straws, candles, balloons, candies and streamers. While the store offers a large collection of licensed characters too, the idea of not being locked in one specific theme is appealing. A unicorn party could feature plates, cups, napkins and plasticware in a rainbow of colors. A mermaid party could feature a mixture of blues, greens and purples and a pirate party could include a lot of gold and silver. You get the idea.
11201 Roosevelt Way N.E. Seattle, WA 98125 206-362-4810 Online:displaycostume.com
Balloons & Cupcakes
Balloons & Cupcakes
Here’s another business whose name tells it like it is. Balloons & Cupcakes consider themselves to be your “one-stop-event-shop” providing full-service balloon decorating and cupcake catering. In the area of balloons, you can place an order for a balloon archway, tunnel, wall, column, tower, centerpiece, bouquet…you name it, they can do it. We especially like the organic-style half arches used mainly against a wall. They assure us that anything can be customized. In the area of cupcakes, should you need them, Balloons & Cupcakes offer different flavors, from the classic Birthday Cake (vanilla bean cake, chocolate frosting and sprinkles) to Cookie Monster (chocolate cake, vanilla frosting, Oreo cookie crumbs) to Snickerdoodle (cinnamon cake, cinnamon-vanilla frosting). Plus, parents can order as few as half a dozen full-size cupcakes or three dozen mini cupcakes.
What a sweet solution to your next kid’s party! Order a candy bar from Party Solutions in Mukilteo. It’s a display of a variety of candies in the color combination that you choose. The Premium Candy Buffet includes a variety of different glass containers, one sign, I small easel, one tablecloth, 30 cello bags and plenty of scoops and tongs. The candy selection includes Hershey’s Kisses, M&M’s, malted milk balls, Sixlets, Dum Dums, Jelly Belly Jelly Beans, chocolate-coated Oreos, candy-coated popcorn, rock candy and Starbursts. It not only serves as an amazing decoration but a goody-bag dispenser as well. And did we mention that the price includes delivery and pickup? (Within 10 miles of their shop). Party Solutions also offers just about everything you need to make your kid’s day special including balloons, party essentials, themed products, wrapping paper, trinkets and so much more.
12918 Mukilteo Speedway Lynnwood, WA 98087 425-789-1658 Online:partysolutionswa.com
Party Hoppers
Party Hoppers
Party Hoppers has been in business for over 25 years and boasts of being the most respected bounce house vendors in Washington. They’re located in Everett, and not only do they offer rentals of those large bounce houses you see at local fairs, but they also offer smaller ones that will fit your backyard, plus some that are meant to be used indoors. They even offer games that might suit your fancy like the inflatable Twister, sumo suits and a variety of tabletop carnival games. Add in rentals of popcorn, sno-cone and cotton candy machines and you've got a successful celebration no matter what the size. They deliver and setup throughout Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Sammamish, Bothell, Snohomish and Everett.
11829 Admiralty Way #A Everett, WA 98204 425-888-1818 Online:partyhoppers.net
Archie McPhee
Archie McPhee
If your family is a bit weird (and honestly, aren’t we all?) then perhaps creating a slightly odd party might be in your best interest and if so, do we have the supply company for you. Archie McPhee has been offering strange and unusual products for over 30 years. We think it’s thee place for creating the ultimate weird goodie bag. Here you’ll find “itty bitty” rubber chickens, disguise glasses, inflatable tiaras, metal tins of hard candy (in flavors like pizza, fried chicken, mac 'n' cheese and more), bacon striped wrapping paper and a birthday cake candelabra that holds cake candles. And while you can order their products online, we encourage you to visit their store. It’s a trip.
Black History Month is historically celebrated every February, but learning about and honoring Black History with purpose can and should happen year round. One way to do that, especially with young kids, is to read Black history books by BIPOC authors and illustrators. Our friends at
Reading Partners, a National early literacy program who always have education and equality in mind have put together a year-round reading list to celebrate Black History Month every month.
January: Carter Reads the Newspaper by Deborah Hopkinson
This children's biography about the man known as the "Father of Black History" learn all about this author, editor, publisher and champion for Black rights. Illustrated by Don Tate.
February: Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford
Hyperion
A Caldecott Honor Book, children can learn more about Harriet Tubman, the champion of the Underground Railroad who earned the nickname "Moses" for leading hundreds of enslaved people to freedom. Contains religious overtones. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
April: Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson
HMH Books
Beatuifully written from the point-of-view of a young African-American girl living in Birmingham, Alabama, who hears MLK's call for a peaceful protest. The girl's parents are fearful, but the children march instead. Illustrated by Frank Morrison, this book won the Caldecott Honor Book Award for illustrations in 2019!
May: Ida B. Wells: Let the Truth Be Told by Walter Dean Myers
Armistad
Ida B. Wells was the leader of the movement to include Black women in the charge for women's right to vote. Children will learn about this fearless, outspoken woman who fought for equality through her words, actions and teachings. Illustrated by Bonnie Christensen.
The story of the first Black girl to attend an all white school after desegregation, children everywhere will relate to this incredible journey of one girl's whose example made a lasting impact on history. Illustrated by George Ford.
August: Frederick Douglass: The Last Days of Slavery by William Miller
Lee & Low Books
A beautifully illustrated look into the life of Frederick Douglass, born enslaved, who found reading as an escape in his early years, and credited it to helping him become the abolitionist and champion of Black rights he is remembered as being today. Illustrated by Cedric Lucas.
September: Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-ins by Carole Boston Weatherford
Puffin Books
Four black teens sit down at a lunch counter in 1960's segregated South and young Connie sees how change is on the horizons. Though Connie is young, she is mighty and we can all learn from this child's eye view of the Civil Rights Movement. Illustratrated by Jerome Lagarrigue Lagarrigue.
October: Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters by Barack Obama
Knopf Books for Young Readers
President Barack Obama writes a moving tribute to thirteen groundbreaking Americans, from Jackie Robinson to Georgia O'Keefe to George Washington, in the form of a letter to his two young daughters. Illustrated by Loren Long.
December: Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, by Deborah Hopkinson
Dragonfly Books
Clara was born into slavery and is known for being a renowned seamstress. This talent proves invaluable later when she uses it to create a quilt with a map of the Underground Railroad. Illustrated by James Ransome, a Caldecott Honor Award winning artist.
Reading Partners is a New York Times-endorsed organization uses volunteer tutors across the country to work one-on-one with kids to foster early reading skills.
To learn more about Reading Partners, and learn how to volunteer or donate, visit: readingpartners.org
Don’t forget to shout out, “UNO!’ Today, Mattel announced its global celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of the iconic game. The brand has planned a yearlong celebration filled with new products, events and partnerships.
Conceived in 1971 in a barbershop in Cincinnati, Ohio, the iconic card game was created as a way for families to spend time together, and quickly became a household staple. Five decades later, UNO, now available in over 80 countries and with 17 decks sold every minute, has grown into a global sensation that offers fans of all ages a variety of innovative card-based and digital games.
“For 50 years, UNO has brought people together by transcending language, culture and age through gameplay. As the number one game in the world, we’ve maintained its origins of a beloved family pastime, while evolving into a cultural phenomenon,” said Ray Adler, Global Head of Mattel Games. “Combining the brand’s roots of inclusivity and simplicity, the passionate global fan base, and unprecedented momentum, UNO’s 50th anniversary is a yearlong celebration of the brand’s past, present and future.”
This year UNO is releasing one of the brand’s largest product lines offering new twists on gameplay, with products available for purchase beginning this month.
Commemorative Products and New Ways to Play
UNO 50th Anniversary Premium Card Set: This premium item is the official celebratory product and collector item for the 50th anniversary, available exclusively at Walmart. Contained in deluxe-box packaging is an exclusive gold coin commemorating the 50th anniversary, and the set also features a special “50/50” card and rule, which incorporates the coin into gameplay.
UNO 50th Anniversary Card Deck: The celebration continues with the UNO 50th Anniversary Card Deck, which has “gold” wild cards to commemorate the special anniversary.
UNO Iconic Series: Starting with the groovy 1970s, the UNO Iconic Series will include five individual decks honoring the last five decades, featuring nostalgic designs that represent each time period.
UNO Remix: UNO Remix is the first UNO game that evolves with every hand you play. It plays like classic UNO, but at the start of each round you’ll add special remix cards to the deck that change the game. When it’s all over, you’ll have created a customized UNO deck unique to you.
UNO Attack: Since 1998 UNO Attack has been a fan favorite, and an all-new updated version of the beloved card-launching extension brings added action with lights, new sounds, and cards that fly even higher.
To mark the moment, all 2021 new products will feature the new UNO 50th anniversary look, including a new logo and new tagline – Fifty Years of Being Wild.
UNO Championship and Celebratory Events
UNO will be inviting fans to celebrate the anniversary through a first of its kind tournament series hosted by Mattel, and a variety of celebratory games. To learn more about how to participate, visit the UNO website.
UNO Championship Series: UNO is launching the first-ever official UNO™ Championship Series, which gives fans the chance to prove they are the best UNO player out there. The UNO™ Championship Series will welcome fans from all over to compete to become the first official UNO™ World Champion, with the finale taking place in November 2021 featuring a grand prize of $50,000 for the winner.
Celebratory Games: Throughout the year, UNO will be hosting celebratory games and streams with fans and partners across digital platforms, including the UNO mobile app and platform game.
Partnerships
From iconic artists to athletes to nonprofit organizations, UNO is committed to developing diverse partnerships that build inclusive, sustainable, and culturally relevant products. In recent years, UNO has released UNO Braille, making the game widely accessible for the more than 7 million blind and low-vision individuals in the U.S., UNO ColorADD, the world’s first card game optimized for the color blind, and the UNO Artiste Series, a line that pays homage to influential artists by infusing art directly into a premium deck.
In its 50th year, UNO will be collaborating with a variety of iconic names across art, fashion, sports, and more to create uniquely designed products from fan-favorite names and brands.
This is just the beginning of what’s to come for the yearlong UNO celebration. Visit the UNO website for more information, and follow @UNO on Instagram and Facebook and @realUNOgame on Twitter for future updates.
—Jennifer Swartvagher
All photos courtesy of Mattel/ Featured photo: David Chickering
Has your Scout Elf visited yet this holiday season? The Lumistella Company is kicking off the Christmas season with a virtual event designed to bring holiday happiness to kids of all ages. Santa and his Scout Elves invite families to gather in the comfort of their own home and begin celebrating the holidays with “The Elf on the Shelf’s Night Before Christmas Storytime” featuring Brad Paisley.
“We are honored to bring Santa’s stories to life with Brad in an inventive way that keeps safety first this season,” notes Chanda Bell, co-CEO of The Lumistella Company and Santa’s chief storyteller. “I’ve consulted the Big Guy, and he was thrilled to have Brad’s support for the launch of “The Elf on the Shelf’s Night Before Christmas” storybook (exclusively at Target).”
On Wed., Dec. 2, “The Elf on the Shelf’s Night Before Christmas Storytime” with Brad Paisley will launch on The Elf on the Shelf’s YouTube channel. Paisley will narrate this humorous and festive tale about one Scout Elf’s Christmas Eve mission to serve up the perfect Christmas Eve, which almost ends in disaster before Santa saves the day. In addition, fans can enjoy a sing-along or two on YouTube with The Elf on the Shelf’s Night Before Christmas Song and other festive music videos, or they can immerse themselves in a silly elf-inspired talk show, “Cocoa with Joe.”
Paisley, whose Scout Elves often appear on his social media channels with funny antics each Christmas season, said, “Around our house, the Christmas season is full of family time and fun traditions. One of my favorites is waking up every morning to discover what kind of happiness and hoopla The Elf on the Shelf Scout Elves got in to while we were asleep. Our Scout Elves, Snowflake and Pinocchio, know how to make the holidays a time of joy, celebration and craziness.”
“We are deeply committed to creating joyful family moments, which the world needs now more than ever. Celebrations across the world may look different this year, but the joy of the season as seen through the eyes of children is a reminder that our shared traditions endure,” states The Lumistella Company president, Mike Champion. “We are excited to partner with Brad Paisley this season in bringing a little holiday cheer to all.”
You and your littles look forward to playing Dreidel every year. It’s a blast to watch the piles of gelt grow (or shrink!) with every shin, nun, hey and gimel—the shrieks of glee are an added bonus. But, even go-to holiday traditions can use a little shaking up, once in a while. For Hanukkah 2020 you can get creative with a classic Hanukkah tradition by checking out these six ideas that’ll have you looking at spinning tops in a whole new light.
We think the idea to create a board game, from Therapy Fun Zone, is pure genius. Instead of collecting goodies and sweets, have each spin represent a move on a gameboard, which has fun activities and simple actions spread out among the game squares. Download the free PDF here, or, create one of your own. Want to know how many moves each symbol represents? Jump over to Therapy Fun Zone for more info, and other clever ways to use dreidels.
2. Stack it up.
Stacabees
Be the first to stack up all your blocks and win! Up to six people can play Staccabees, a twist on the dreidel game that includes the fun of the spin but adds the excitement of stacking pieces higher and higher until it all comes crashing down. Each set includes 36 wood game pieces, one engraved wood dreidel and a canvas tote to keep it all together. Grab your own set here. Don’t feel like buying the game? DIY a version with Jenga pieces or building blocks and your own set of dreidels.
If you’ve ever played Dreidel, then you’ll remember how long it can take for someone to be declared the champion. For a speedy take on the game, check out a revamped version created by Ben Blatt over at Slate. Speed Dreidel™ calls for players to spin their dreidels together (no more watching your bubbe spin while the kids squirm!), and then wiggles with the rules just a bit (like how much gelt you win or lose with each roll), to make the game more interesting for every player. Trying this version will ensure your latkes don’t get cold while you try to collect everyone else's stash of goodies. Grab the full instructions by clicking here.
Make an artistic statement instead of playing for gelt, this year. Give your kids a box, a top and drop in paint, then watch them create their own spin art right at home. It’s an easy way to add a new twist to a timeless Festival of Light family activity.
Instead of waiting for everyone to have a turn with the dreidel and divvying up the goodies accordingly, why not conduct spin-offs? It's fun and easy to grab a timer and see which family member has been perfecting those spinning skills since last Hanukkah. Each time someone out-spins another player, reward the record holder with chocolates and goodies.
6. Dress Up Driedel
We love this idea from A Dime Saved. Every person has to pick 4 things that start with the 4 letters on the dreidel. Take all the items and put them in 4 separate baskets. Each time you land on a letter you have to pick an item from that bag and put it in. Game ends when everyone gets bored or there are no more items in the basket.
Given the time of year, most people are taking some time to reflect on their lives and think about the things and people that they find themselves grateful for. Thinking about this myself, I have to think more intently on what gratitude really looks like to me, and whether or not I turly express it to the depth that I feel it. The answer in the majority of cases, is unfortunately no.
Raising children is difficult.
Then add special needs.
And a pandemic.
Sleepless nights.
Clinical, PTSD-level anxiety.
Communication struggles that turn into meltdowns.
Meltdowns that turn into aggression.
Just so much uncertainty.
But, with each of those struggles, comes something so beautiful—so many things to be grateful for.
Grateful for the excitement and pure joy a new skill brings.
Grateful for that moment when you hit a breakthrough, and communication gains shine through.
Grateful for a supportive husband that recognizes when a break is needed, even though he is tired from a full day of work himself.
Grateful for a helpful, loving, teenage sibling that knows she is her little brother’s person—and will do anything to see him smile.
Grateful for supportive parents that will FaceTime multiple times a week—to only be talked to for maybe two minutes of the half-hour they are on the call. ‘Cause just being connected and accessible to your son calms him, knowing he can see more of his people.’
Grateful for a tribe of friends that get your life, share in your struggles, acknowledge your successes, and champion each other. Love y’all—the ones that lift you up during the hard, no matter the time of day…or night.
Grateful for the team of therapists and teachers, the ones that go above and beyond, so far beyond their call of duty to provide the best format for your child to flourish, and gracefully work with him even when he’s struggling, just being stubborn or even when he’s acting like a maniac squirrel that fell in a barrel of Mountain Drew and drank his way out.
There are just so many things to be grateful for. Yes, this special needs journey has its share of hardships. If not for these struggles, the hard, or the difficult, the good, the gains, and the friendships would likely have never shone through so brightly.
Trista is a mother of two, Allayna and David. David was diagnosed with moderate ASD. She is married to her husband Drew and they live in Wisconsin where she works full-time from home. She enjoys spending time with her family, large amounts of coffee and sharing her family's journey.
Wheaties announced today that LeBron James will be the next athlete to adorn the cover of the iconic orange box. James takes over the cover from Serena Williams, both of whom were named Associated Press Athletes of the Decade earlier this year. James will continue Wheaties’ 85 year-run of featuring sports champions on the collectible boxes.
The box looks a little different this time. Alongside James is a collage of kids and families from the LeBron James Family Foundation’s transformational I PROMISE program in Akron, Ohio. The wraparound image includes students and staff from the I PROMISE School, the groundbreaking Akron Public School opened by James and the Foundation in 2018 that serves the district’s most at-risk students and their entire families. The school and the Foundation’s comprehensive programming have redefined the community of Akron and is a testament that James has never forgotten where he came from. No matter how much on court success he has had, his legacy is much bigger than basketball.
“We all know LeBron James for his record-breaking basketball career, but his achievements off the court truly set him apart,” said Taylor Gessell, brand experience manager for Wheaties. “From starting the LeBron James Family Foundation, to boldly speaking out on racial injustice, to launching the I PROMISE School – LeBron is a champion of change who is using his sports platform to better the world. We couldn’t be prouder to feature such a positive force of inspiration for the next generation of champions on Wheaties’ historic box.”
James grew up in Akron, Ohio, where he leaned on his family, friends and community to lift him up when times were tough. He was a standout high school player for St. Vincent-St. Mary before being drafted as the #1 overall pick. James has gone on to win three Championships, four league MVPs. He currently stands as the 3rd all-time points leader and he can now add Wheaties Champion to the list.
“Growing up where we come from, to see my I PROMISE kids and families from Akron, Ohio, represented on the iconic Wheaties box means everything,” said James. “The movement we’ve started in Akron is about doing our part to uplift our community by first listening and then responding with the resources they need. We will continue to do everything we can to create a better future for our kids and our community, and it starts with the students, teachers, and everyday champions you see on this box.”
In 2004, James, who proudly refers to himself as “just a kid from Akron,” started the LeBron James Family Foundation to give back to the same community that changed his life. LJFF started by organizing community events and in 2011, refocused its efforts on education. In 2018, LJFF opened the I PROMISE School, dedicated to giving Akron’s most challenged kids the resources and support they need to excel in school and beyond. With its Family Resource Center, the Foundation eliminates barriers families face with access to job support, legal aid, healthcare, GED classes, financial literacy programs, and an onsite food pantry. For those experiencing homelessness, the Foundation opened the I PROMISE Village to provide transitional housing. LJFF has also guaranteed tuition to The University of Akron or Kent State University for every eligible I PROMISE graduate. James and his Foundation have started a movement that is transforming the future for thousands of Akron families.
“Having our students, families and educators on the Wheaties box alongside LeBron is pretty powerful, and it illustrates that deep and meaningful work cannot be done alone,” said Michele Campbell, Executive Director of the LeBron James Family Foundation. “It takes an entire community to truly rally around those that need it most, and it takes a lot of passion and hard work. But it can be done, and we’re humbled to continue pushing the envelope on what’s possible for these families and all communities across the country.”
The limited-edition LeBron James and I PROMISE Wheaties box will be sold on www.Shop.Wheaties.com now and will roll out on store shelves in the U.S. in the next several weeks.
Walmart is launching a new membership program that brings together in-store and online benefits to save customers money and time. Walmart+ will make life easier for busy families. Members will receive unlimited free delivery from stores, fuel discounts and access to tools that make shopping faster for families.
Membership will be available to all customers on Sept. 15 and will cost $98 a year or $12.95 a month and includes a 15-day free trial period.
“We are a company committed to meeting our customers’ needs,” said Janey Whiteside, chief customer officer, Walmart. “Customers know they can trust us and depend on us, and we’ve designed this program as the ultimate life hack for them. Walmart+ will bring together a comprehensive set of benefits where we see the greatest needs from our customers and where our scale can bring solutions at an unprecedented value.”
The initial list of Walmart+ benefits are below. The list of benefits will continue to grow over time.
Unlimited free delivery: In-store prices as fast as same-day on more than 160,000 items from tech and toys to household essentials and groceries. This service was previously known as Delivery Unlimited – a subscription service that allows customers to place an unlimited number of deliveries for a low, flat yearly or monthly fee. Current subscribers will automatically become Walmart+ members.
Scan & Go: Unlock Scan & Go in the Walmart app — a fast way to shop in-store. Using the Walmart app, customers can scan their items as they shop and pay using Walmart Pay for a quick, easy, touch-free payment experience.
Fuel discounts: Fill up and save up to 5 cents a gallon at nearly 2,000 Walmart, Murphy USA and Murphy Express fuel stations. Sam’s Club fuel stations will soon be added to this lineup.
These benefits come in addition to the retailer’s existing customer offerings like Walmart’s free curbside pickup, NextDay delivery and two-day delivery. Walmart will continue to have delivery options with a per-delivery transaction fee so customers can choose the service that’s best for them.
“Life feels more complicated than ever. Walmart+ is designed to make it easier – giving customers an option to not have to sacrifice on cost or convenience,” added Whiteside. “We know shopping should fit customers’ needs, not the other way around. We have always been a champion for the right item at the right price, but now it’s more than that. We have the right shopping solutions at the right time, too.”
