World Vision partners with Six Flags America to provide essential school supplies for students in Maryland & Washington D.C.

Washington, DC (August 9, 2012) — World Vision is pleased to announce its partnership with Six Flags America for a “Back to School Supply Drive” that will benefit at-risk students in Prince Georges County, Maryland and Washington D.C. World Vision supporters are encouraged to go to Six Flags America in Maryland for a day of fun for a good cause, August 8 – August 15. Guests who donate six or more new school supplies will receive 50% off ($28.50) a one-day general adult admission ticket to be used the day of their donation. Supplies will be collected outside the main gate at Six Flags America.

“As the economic downturn continues to take a toll on school district budgets, the burden often falls on teachers to dig into their own pockets to provide basic classroom learning tools,” says Craig Warner, National Capital area general manager for World Vision. “Research shows teachers already spend an average of $625 per year on school supplies, and it’s not uncommon for us to hear of teachers in the National Capital area spending even more.”

Seven out of 10 teachers nationwide report that they are not capable of providing adequate supplies to effectively teach their students.* To meet that need World Vision maintains seven teacher resource centers across the U.S., including one in the National Capital area. These centers offer teachers who work at schools where more than 70 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-priced lunches a chance to receive free essential supplies, such as notebooks, binders, arts and crafts materials, pencils, and scissors. In 2011, World Vision served 2 million people in the U.S., including 1.1 million at-risk children, through a variety of development programs.

The goal of the Back to School Supply Drive at Six Flags America in Maryland is to fill a coaster car FULL of school supplies which will be given to World Vision on August 16, National Roller Coaster Day, for distribution to teachers and students in need. Approved items for donation include: pencils, erasers, crayons, spiral notebooks, rulers, wide rule filler paper, pens, highlighters, dry-erase markers, binders, glue sticks, construction paper, paper clips, staples, stapler, tape, basic art supplies, facial tissues, folders, scissors, index cards, dividers, colored pencils, pencil sharpeners, pencil pouches, and backpacks.

To learn more about World Vision’s Teacher Resource Center’s or to give school supplies to teachers and students in need go to www.worldvision.org/usprograms.

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About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve the world's poor — regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information on their efforts, visit WorldVision.org/press or follow them on Twitter at @WorldVisionNews

ABOUT SIX FLAGS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION:
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with $1.0 billion in revenue and 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For more than 50 years, Six Flags has entertained millions of families with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks and unique attractions including up-close animal encounters, Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com.

*Source: National Survey Finds 97% of Teachers Do Whatever it Takes to Help Kids Learn