New Line of Fashionable School and Office Supplies Prove All Dreams Are Possible

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- During a sunset run in 1993 – after years of questioning her self-worth and self-image – Molly Barker found the inspiration that grew into Girls on the Run. Her dream of creating a program that would address what she calls Girl-Box issues would become a reality in 1996. Today, the after-school curriculum-based program, inspires more than 50,000 girls a year, to celebrate their bodies, honor their voices, and embrace their gifts in more than 150 cities across North America.

This week's annual Girls on the Run Summit in Austin, Texas, marked the premier of "Dreamsicle," a stylish new collection of school and office supplies that were inspired by both the organization's mission and its founder. These products, part of the Commerce with a Conscience partnership between Carolina Pad and JACK!E will be available in major retail outlets, including Wal-Mart, Office Max, and CVS, later this year.

"Dreamsicle is what happens when passionate people work together and pool their individual talents for the greater good," said Barker. "We are thrilled to have Carolina Pad and JACK!E join us as national partners by creating a collection of products that will help spread the Girls on the Run story."

"The Dreamsicle Collection is a dream come true for me! As a designer and mother of three young children, I am so honored to be able to use my artistic abilities to be a part of Molly's mission of changing the world one girl at a time," said Jackie McFee. "It is my mission to not only pay it forward, but to pay it forward beautifully."

Carolina Pad CEO Clay Presley hopes this collection will help increase awareness of the Girls on the Run mission. "We know that our consumers have a personal connection to their notebook and they choose designs that work with their individual style," Presley said. "Dreamsicle adds another dimension to that connection by introducing consumers to an organization like Girls on the Run that celebrates individuality."

In addition to producing and distributing Dreamsicle, the Commerce with a Conscience partnership will support Girls on the Run in other ways, including the re-design and production of the program curriculum, donations of running journals to all program participants during the 2010-2011 school year, and the creation of additional products to be used as fundraising tools by Girls on the Run councils.

The Dreamsicle collection will be available to purchase in February at www.carolinapad.com and will be available in retail stores nationwide beginning in May.

About Girls on the Run®

Girls on the Run inspires 3rd through 8th grade girls to stay true to themselves and live free from societal stereotypes. The 12 week after-school curriculum innovatively weaves training for a 5k run with lessons that empower girls to celebrate their bodies, honor their voices and embrace their gifts. Girls on the Run has more than 150 councils across North America, serving more than 50,000 girls annually.  To learn more or find a program near you, visit girlsontherun.org.

About Commerce with a Conscience™

Commerce with a Conscience™, a partnership between Carolina Pad and JACK!E, combines the everyday products from Studio C and the extraordinary design from Jackie McFee to create a communication platform for non-profit organizations. The first Commerce with a Conscience collection – the Kendall Kollection – was launched in 2008 in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

About Carolina Pad

Carolina Pad™ is a leading supplier of fashion school, office and organizational products. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, with offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai, Carolina Pad is one of the fastest growing stationery companies in the world. Its school, office, and arts and crafts products can be found at mass merchant, office supply, grocery, and drug stores. The Carolina Pad portfolio of brands include Studio C™, Note2Self™, Ghostline®, Notebound®, Sasquatch™, and u:create™. Learn more about Carolina Pad at www.carolinapad.com.

About JACK!E™

Jackie McFee's spirit and zest for life makes her artwork as contagious as her personality!  Her luscious color palettes and chic designs are favorites among millions of girls, teens and women all over the world. JACK!E™ Collections have been seen in many popular culture outlets such as Oprah, Glee, 90210, Hannah Montana, and Pottery Barn Kids/Teens catalogs. Her design collections can be found in major retailers including Wal-Mart, Staples, and Office Max just to name a few! As part of her business philosophy – Paying it Forward ... Beautifully – she licenses her designs to her corporate partners such as Carolina Pad and her newest partner SkirtSports®, who share her vision of living generously. www.jackiemcfee.com.

SOURCE Commerce with a Conscience