MoneyGram Foundation and First Book Unite to Deliver Thousands of Books to Children in Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica, July 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- MoneyGram (NASDAQ: MGI), a global provider of innovative money transfer services, along with U.S.-based nonprofit First Book, recently celebrated a $15,000 grant donation from the MoneyGram Foundation that will provide funds to the Child Resiliency Program. The money will help buy 10,000 new, age appropriate and culturally relevant books from the First Book Global Marketplace and the First Book National Book Bank.

"Education is essential to economic growth and development as it offers children the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to transform their lives," said Lisa Rostov, senior director for marketing, Latin America and Caribbean. "The MoneyGram Foundation is proud to be part of this donation event and we are excited to work with First Book and the Child Resiliency Program in Jamaica to fulfill MoneyGram's commitment to support programs that reach those communities in need of educational resources and access to a basic education."

More than 60 at-risk students graduating from the Kingston YMCA Child Resiliency Program were joined by local community leaders as well as representatives from MoneyGram and the Child Resiliency Program during a ceremony where the students received certificates of completion as well as school book bags and books.

The First Book Global Marketplace is a digital platform offering under-resourced schools and community centers serving children in need of an opportunity to purchase new books and educational resources at very low prices. The First Book National Book Bank provides bulk quantities of books to eligible schools and programs for only the cost of shipping and handling. First Book aggregates these resources by working with publishers and manufacturers in order to improve educational access for children in need.

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About MoneyGram Foundation
MoneyGram established the MoneyGram Foundation in 2012 to help children around the world gain access to educational facilities and learning resources. Its mission is firmly rooted in the belief that education is at the heart of better economic opportunities, healthier families and individual freedom and empowerment. The MoneyGram Foundation is focused on inspiring minds and improving lives and grants funds to deserving organizations with this mission in mind. To learn more, please visit moneygramfoundation.org or connect with us on Facebook.

About MoneyGram International, Inc.
MoneyGram is a global provider of innovative money transfer and payment services and is recognized worldwide as a financial connection to friends and family. Whether online, or through a mobile device, at a kiosk or in a local store, we connect consumers any way that is convenient for them. We also provide bill payment services, issue money orders and process official checks in select markets. More information about MoneyGram is available at moneygram.com.
© 2016 MoneyGram.

About First Book
First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise that has distributed more than 150 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 and educational resources available on an ongoing basis to its network of educators and program leaders, First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and elevating the quality of education. For more information, please visit firstbook.org or follow the latest news on Facebook or Twitter.

Media Contact:
Michelle Buckalew
214-979-1418
[email protected]

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SOURCE MoneyGram