MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL Awarded the Ladies' Home Journal 'Do Good' Stamp

HERSHEY, Pa., July 6 /PRNewswire/ -- MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL® (MHS) recently received the Ladies' Home Journal "Do Good" stamp in recognition of the School's 100th anniversary of providing life-changing opportunities to children in need.  Introduced in April 2009, the Ladies' Home Journal "Do Good" stamp is awarded to corporations that are committed to helping make the world a better place in which they live.  

Established in 1909 by Milton Hershey, founder of the iconic Hershey's chocolate company, and his wife Catherine, MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL provides children in profound social and financial need with a positive, structured and nurturing home life and outstanding education.  Today, MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL is the nation's largest cost-free, private, coeducational home and school for children from families of low income, limited resources, and social need.  

Mr. Hershey believed so strongly in the importance of the School that before his death, he devoted his entire fortune to ensure its continued growth and development.  MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL is funded through the Hershey Trust which is fueled by the profits of The Hershey Company.  Simply put, every time someone purchases a Hershey product, they are helping to foster opportunity for the students, educators and staff at MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL.  

"We are proud and humbled by Ladies' Home Journal's recognition and of the commitment that Milton Hershey made so many years ago," said Dr. Anthony Colistra, a 1959 graduate and now president of MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL.  "We are equally proud of the alumni who carry Mr. Hershey's legacy forward through the creation of jobs, contribution of millions of dollars to causes that help those less fortunate and by volunteering countless hours to the betterment of society."  

Since its inception, 8,787 students have graduated from the MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL.  According to a study conducted to commemorate the school's centennial, graduates of the school volunteer, on average, 67.2 hours per year, 23 percent more time than the national average of 52 hours per year.  These results are even more incredible when one considers that students of the school come from backgrounds of profound social and economic need.

MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL is profiled in the July 2010 issue of Ladies' Home Journal http://www.lhj.com/dogood.  

To learn more about MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL and the amazing legacy of its founder, Milton Hershey, please visit www.thehersheylegacy.com.

About The MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL

MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL® is a cost-free, private, coeducational home and school for children from families of low income, limited resources, and social need. The School is funded by a trust established by Milton S. Hershey and his wife Catherine. MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL® offers a positive, structured home life year-round and an excellent pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education. Our vision focuses on building character and providing children with the skills necessary to be successful in all aspects of life.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is the largest producer of quality chocolate in North America and a global leader in chocolate and sugar confectionery. Headquartered in Hershey, Pa., The Hershey Company has operations throughout the world and more than 12,000 employees. With revenues of more than $5 billion, Hershey offers such iconic brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Kit Kat, Twizzlers and Ice Breakers as well as the smooth, creamy indulgence of Hershey's Bliss chocolates. Hershey is a leader in the fast-growing dark and premium chocolate segment, with such brands as Hershey's Special Dark and Hershey's Extra Dark. In addition, Artisan Confections Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hershey Company, markets such premium chocolate offerings as Scharffen Berger and Dagoba. For more than 100 years, The Hershey Company has been a leader in making a positive difference in the communities where we live, work and do business. The MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL, established by the company's founder in 1909, provides a nurturing environment, quality education, housing, and medical care at no cost to children in social and financial need. The School is administered by the Hershey Trust Company, Hershey's largest shareholder, making the students of MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL direct beneficiaries of Hershey's success. Please visit us at www.hersheys.com.

SOURCE MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL