Buy an App, Save Chilren’s Lives

As many of you know, I work for Ruckus Media Group, an independent children’s media company that produces quality story-telling and learning experiences for young children.  I am currently working on a campaign that I am so proud of and want to share with you.  First to tell you the background:

A few years ago, our CEO, Rick Richter, worked on a book at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers with Marlo Thomas titled Thanks and Giving.  It was a collection of stories, poems, and written music about helping others and appreciating what we have.  He never forgot this project, and it gives our current partnership even more meaning.

Fast forward to now.  I was invited to a Build-a-Bear event a few months ago and met the fabulous Marlo Thomas.  I interviewed her and we have managed to stay in touch since.  Both Rick’s and my own relationship with Marlo led to our holiday social good project, and we couldn’t be happier.

We’re working with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^® , the hospital that Marlo  is very much behind, this holiday season as a partners in their annual Thanks and Giving campaign, a holiday program that asks shoppers to “Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not,” while shopping this holiday season.

Between now and December 31st, Ruckus will donate 100% of the net proceeds of our classic Read-Play-and-Record Along Rabbit Ears interactive storybooks to the St. Jude cause.  Buying an app will give you, the consumer, a dual purpose.  For example, when you pick up a copy of The Velveteen Rabbit told by Meryl Streep, not only will you be providing quality story-telling to your child, but you will also be supporting St. Jude’s lifesaving work of finding cures and saving children with deadly diseases with each app you download.  Plus, for a limited time, all of the Rabbit Ears apps will be priced at $1.99.  Not only are the Ruckus apps on sale, but you can feel good about making a donation to this important charity, knowing that $1.39 of each download goes to help save a child’s life.

The apps that are on sale, with all net proceeds going to St. Jude, include: Pecos Bill told by Robin Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit  and The Night Before Christmas told by Meryl Streep, John Henry told by Denzel Washington, Tom Thumb told by John Cleese, Goldilocks told by Meg Ryan, Johnny Appleseed told by Garrison Keillor, The Steadfast Tin Soldier told by Jeremy Irons and Three Little Bears told by Holly Hunter.  In additio, Ruckus is releasing two NEW stories during this time period, as well, both launched today: Thumbelina told by Kelly McGillis and Paul Bunyan told by Jonathan Winters.

We are so honored to be amongst a prestigious group of partners teaming up with St. Jude during this fabulous, important campaign (check out the list here), and we hope that you head to  iTunes today to purchase our interactive storybooks.  To learn more about the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign or to make a donation, go here.