The UPS Store Celebrates Literacy and Brings Magic to the 2018 Rose Parade
December 27 2017 - 11:00AM
The UPS Store will write the next chapter in its tale to promote
literacy in the 2018 Tournament of Roses® Rose Parade. The float,
“Books Bring Dreams to Life”, captures the magic and imagination
that come alive when diving into a good read. The UPS
Store
® parade float spotlights the importance of
childhood literacy on a national stage and complements the 2018
Rose Parade theme of “Making A Difference”.
The Toys for Tots® Literacy Program, developed by The UPS Store
and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation in 2008, provides books and
educational resources to economically disadvantaged children in
communities across the country. Literacy is an important tool to
help children succeed in life, and access to books helps develop
imagination and creativity.
“The partnership between The UPS Store and Toys for Tots is very
meaningful to us, and the Rose Parade provides the perfect
opportunity to shed light on our mission by raising awareness to
the importance of childhood literacy,” said Tim Davis, president of
The UPS Store, Inc. “We’re thrilled to participate in the Rose
Parade for a second year, and celebrate the magic of reading and
its power to awaken our imaginations.”
The UPS Store’s parade float is expected to make waves at this
year’s parade with custom-built hydraulics powering the movement of
the float. The float’s main feature is a spectacular sea monster
that will appear to swim down the parade route in a life-like way.
Each of the sea monster’s body segments are linked together
mechanically allowing them to sway from side to side, her ears
wiggle, and she even blows smoke from her nostrils. The angelfish
surrounding her swim up and down, and bubbles rise from the ocean
waves.
The sea monster will blow standard Rose Parade dimensions out of
the water – her neck and head animate beyond the standard 55-foot
length while her tail animates beyond the standard 18-foot width.
Fresh flowers will give The UPS Store’s sea monster its color,
texture and brilliance. Her scales are made up of green and yellow
chrysanthemums, magenta and coral carnations and intermixed with
grapefruit, oranges, lemons and limes. Iris petals create the sea
monster’s eyes and imported hydrangeas provide bright blue accents
throughout the water she is swimming in.
“I fell in love with the Rose Parade when I was 9. By 13, I
designed my first float. This year's entry for The UPS Store
captures the magic that drew me in as a kid,” said Charles Meier,
creative director of Paradiso Parade Floats. “The sea monster has
so much personality. As a designer, I hope people will find
themselves wishing they could keep her as a pet. When she is decked
out in carnations and button chrysanthemums with freckles of
citrus, she is going to be a stunner. I can't wait to see the
finished float!”
Through its 5,000 plus retail locations in North America, The
UPS Store has raised more than $4 million dollars and distributed
more than 39 million books to help children thrive since the Toys
for Tots Literacy Program launched. Each locally owned and operated
The UPS Store location is fundamental to the success of the program
and will continue fundraising efforts through the end of the
year.
Don’t miss your chance to see The UPS Store float, “Books Bring
Dreams to Life,” in the 129th Rose Parade on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018
8:00 a.m. PST. To find The UPS Store location nearest you or to
make a contribution to support literacy, visit
theupsstore.com/roses.
About The UPS Store With approximately 5,000
locations across North America, The UPS Store network comprises the
nation’s largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal, print
and business service centers. The UPS Store locations in the U.S.
are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of The
UPS Store, Inc., a subsidiary of UPS (NYSE: UPS). Services,
products, pricing and hours of operation may vary by location. For
additional information on The UPS Store,
visit theupsstore.com. For information on franchise
opportunities for opening a The UPS Store location,
visit https://www.theupsstorefranchise.com/. Follow The UPS
Store on Twitter at @TheUPSStore and like The UPS Store
on Facebook at facebook.com/theupsstore.
About the Marine Toys for Tots FoundationThe
Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not-for-profit organization
authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps to provide fundraising and
other necessary support for the annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Toys for Tots Program. Now in its 70th year, Toys for Tots provides
joy and a message of hope to less fortunate children through the
gift of a new toy or book during the Christmas holiday season. For
more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.
About the Pasadena Tournament of
RosesThe Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization
that hosts America’s New Year Celebration® event with the Rose
Parade presented by Honda, the Rose Bowl Game presented by
Northwestern Mutual and a variety of accompanying events. 935
volunteer members of the association will drive the success of
129th Rose Parade themed “Making A Difference,” on Monday, January
1, 2018, followed by the College Football Playoff Semifinal
at the 104th Rose Bowl Game. For more information, visit
www.tournamentofroses.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on
Twitter, Instagram and YouTube and visit our blog at
blog.tournamentofroses.com.
About Paradiso Parade Floats Based in
Irwindale, California, Paradiso Parade Floats is a boutique float
builder for the Tournament of Roses specializing in high-end
designs for select clients. Paradiso's distinctive vision has
earned the highest prize-winning rate in the industry. Owner and
creative director Charles Meier holds the record as the youngest
designer in the history of the parade, having created his first
entry at age 13. Over the last 25 years, sophisticated design, lush
flowering and meticulous craftsmanship have become his signature.
For more information, please visit
www.paradisoparadefloats.com.
###
Jenny Robinson
The UPS Store
858-455-8846
jennyrobinson@upsstore.com
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