January 8, 2016
COCA-COLA SUPPORTS STATE AFTER-SCHOOL INITIATIVE FOR MIDDLE AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS

HONOLULU – Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui, along with R.E.A.C.H. Out Hawaii Board Members Tom Apple, Lori Lum, and Tyler Tokioka, received a $50,000 check from The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO). The money will go to R.E.A.C.H. Out Hawaii, a nonprofit corporation, which provides support for intermediate and middle school programs in Lt. Governor Tsutsui’s R.E.A.C.H. (Resources for Enrichment, Athletics, Culture and Health) initiative.

“Thanks to Coca-Cola Hawaii’s charitable support, more of Hawaii’s intermediate and middle school students will be able to participate in the R.E.A.C.H. initiative,” said Lt. Governor Tsutsui. “Because of Coca-Cola’s generous donation, after-school learning programs for our keiki will be expanded.”

More than 3,000 middle and intermediate public school students at 14 schools across the state are part of the after-school program this year. Studies have shown that after-school programs not only keep students safe and engaged in learning, but also help improve their academic performance, school attendance, behavior and health.

“Our company understands that the middle school years are a critical time in a child’s life. And we’d like to do our part in providing resources like R.E.A.C.H. to students, with the hope that it will help them to lead successful lives,” said Joyce Sahara-Nagashima, Coca-Cola Hawaii Plant Manager

“We are extremely grateful that Coca-Cola has recognized the significant impact this initiative is making on Hawaii’s youth,” said Lori Ann Lum, R.E.A.C.H. Out Hawaii Board of Director. “Our students deserve quality after-school programs that enhance and engage them in learning.”

Twenty-one schools thus far have benefited from R.E.A.C.H. since it was launched in 2014.

####

About The Coca-Cola Company:

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most valuable and recognizable brands, our Company’s portfolio features 20 billion-dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.9 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.cocacolacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo, visit our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com or find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company.

About R.E.A.C.H.:

R.E.A.C.H. (Resources for Enrichment, Athletics, Culture and Health) provides an organizational framework for public middle and intermediate schools to offer expanded learning opportunities during after-school hours. The initiative’s mission is to ensure all public school students in grades 6 to 8 receive the academic and community-based support they need to stay on track toward high school graduation by engaging them in a broad-base of programs and activities, outside of regular instructional hours, in the areas of academic enrichment, arts and culture, and athletics. Started in March 2013 by Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui, the R.E.A.C.H. initiative continues to develop with support from the State and the community.


 

In The Press