NEW YORK, June 25, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KPMG LLP and Stacy Lewis, the top-ranked female golfer in the U.S., today announced that Stacy is joining in 'Blue for Books'; the firm's nationwide charitable initiative created to put thousands of books into the hands of children in need, through the sale of KPMG blue golf hats, just like the KPMG hat that Lewis will wear on the LPGA Tour.
The 'Blue for Books' initiative, launched with PGA TOUR champion Phil Mickelson in March 2012, was created to bolster the overall efforts and raise awareness of KPMG's Family for Literacy (KFFL) program. Lewis now joins Mickelson as an active supporter of KFFL. She will wear the new KPMG blue hat for the first time during the U.S. Women's Open held at Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, NY.
"We are proud to have Stacy Lewis join our KFFL program to help us impact the lives of more children," said John Veihmeyer, Chairman and CEO of KPMG LLP, the U.S. Audit, Tax and Advisory firm. "It's our mission to improve childhood literacy in America by providing access to new books."
"Some neighborhoods in America only have one book for every 300 children," continued Veihmeyer. "'Stacy's Blue Hat' will work to help reverse these numbers."
Lewis adds, "I am excited to support KPMG's Family for Literacy efforts by wearing my new Blue Hat and I hope my fans will do the same. I think every professional athlete is put in a position to help others and giving kids a better shot at success in life through literacy is something that I'm passionate about."
The authentic blue golf hats that Lewis will wear in competition are now available to the public on StacysBlueHat.com. The hats will be sold for $21.95 each, with 100% of the net proceeds ($7.50) from each sale going to childhood literacy non-profit organization First Book to purchase three new books for children from low-income families.
This year marks the 5-year anniversary of KPMG's Family for Literacy; a program led by Beth Veihmeyer and Debbie Ozanus, the spouses of the firm's Chairman and Deputy Chairman and designed to engage the extended KPMG family of spouses and family members. Since 2008, KPMG has delivered more than two million new books to children across the country, in cooperation with First Book, an award winning non-profit. In addition to raising money for KFFL, these volunteers visit classrooms, read to children, and deliver new books to low-income communities; in many cases, these are the first books their families have ever owned.
About KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (www.kpmg.com/us), is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International.") KPMG International's member firms have 145,000 people, including more than 8,000 partners, in 152 countries.
About First Book
First Book has distributed more than 100 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States and Canada. By making new, high-quality books available on an ongoing basis, First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and elevating the quality of education. For more information, please visit www.firstbook.org or follow our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.