Ann Taylor Stores Corporation Raises Over $2.8 Million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® 7th Annual Thanks and Giving® Campaign

NEW YORK, Jan. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday shopping season, Ann Taylor Stores Corporation joined St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for the 7th annual Thanks and Giving campaign by inspiring their customers to "give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not." The Company announced today that it helped raise a company record of over $2.8 million for St. Jude, a 40 percent increase over last year's contribution.

For the last four years, Ann Taylor Stores Corp., through its ANN Cares and LOFT Cares charitable initiatives, has been involved in the Thanks and Giving campaign, a holiday program designed to raise awareness and funds for the nation's top children's cancer hospital. Customers who shopped at Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Factory Stores, LOFT and LOFT Outlet had the opportunity to support St. Jude through an add-on donation during the check out process.

"I am inspired every year by the commitment and dedication of our associates and customers in helping us support the important work being done by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital," stated Kay Krill, President and CEO of Ann Taylor Stores Corp. "As both a CEO and mother, I am grateful and proud that our Company has been able to raise over $2.8 million in significant funds needed to make such a difference in the lives of children and their families."

"I am so happy that Ann Taylor Stores Corp. was once again a part of the Thanks and Giving family this year," said Marlo Thomas, national outreach director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "We are so grateful for their ongoing support. The Company's associates and their customers' commitment to St. Jude help make a difference in the lives of so many children and their moms and dads."

In these four years of participating in the campaign, Ann Taylor Stores Corp. has donated nearly $6.6 million to St. Jude. The Company joined the nation's leading brands and most respected companies and their customers, as they help St. Jude to save the lives of children in communities across the country and around the world.

About Ann Taylor Stores Corporation

Ann Taylor Stores Corporation is one of the leading women's specialty retailers for fashionable clothing in the United States, operating 907 Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Factory, LOFT and LOFT Outlet stores in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico as of October 30, 2010, as well as online at AnnTaylor.com and LOFT.com. Visit AnnTaylorStoresCorp.com for more information (NYSE: ANN).

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. In 2010, St. Jude was ranked the most trusted charity in the nation in a public survey conducted by Harris Interactive, a highly respected international polling and research firm. St. Jude was also named the nation's top children's cancer hospital in the 2010-11 Best Children's Hospitals rankings published by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, go to www.stjude.org and follow St. Jude on www.facebook.com/stjude and www.twitter.com/stjude.

SOURCE Ann Taylor Stores Corporation