Latest news with #TicketToDream
CBS News
27-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Back to school shopping spree helps prepare Pittsburgh-area foster kids for the return to the classroom
The excitement or nerves for the first day of school are memories many people have, but not every child starts the year on equal footing. For many, it can be tough, especially for children in foster homes. For some kids, a new pair of shoes is more than just back-to-school shopping. It's the difference between feeling confident and feeling left out. "Not everybody can go to school with something new, and people get bullied," said foster parent Abby Graham. "Kids get bullied a lot of the time, and I think this is a great opportunity to combat that and make people feel special." Famous Footwear teamed up with Pressley Ridge and the Ticket to Dream Foundation to give foster kids a chance to feel seen and excited. "For kids in foster care who don't have that sense of stability or confidence, just the chance to pick out their own shoes when a lot of the time, they're getting hand-me-downs," said Lisa Kahle, Director of Marketing for Pressley Ridge. Each child had the chance on Saturday to pick out brand new shoes, socks, and a backpack full of supplies. "When they said she could pick any shoe, she was like, 'Wait, any shoe, not just a section.' I thought that was really cool," Graham said. "It's been so fun to see them looking at shoes," said foster parents Hannah Caudill and Jared Wink. "Just one of them to feel excited to go back to school," Caudill said. "Because school is such a constant in their lives, and excited for them to have new shoes to show to their friends." But it all goes beyond the soles of a shoe. For kids, navigating new homes, unfamiliar routines, and uncertain futures can be stressful. But helping them feel like they belong can be all the difference. "I think it helps them feel like every typical child going back to school shopping," Caudill said. "Yeah, excited about something," Wink said. "It's always fun to show off something new with your friends."
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Educational Development Corp (EDUC) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Challenges ...
Release Date: July 07, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Educational Development Corp (NASDAQ:EDUC) successfully reduced its loss before taxes from $1.7 million last year to $1.4 million this quarter, indicating effective cost management. The company has launched a guest checkout feature, improving the ease of doing business for customers and brand partners. EDUC has formed a successful partnership with Ticket to Dream, distributing thousands of books to foster children and families. The company has initiated strategic sales events to generate cash and reduce bank borrowings, meeting lender requirements. EDUC has a Plan B in place for the sale of its Hilty complex, ensuring financial stability even if the primary sale plan does not materialize. Net revenues have significantly decreased from $10 million last year to $7.1 million this quarter, reflecting a challenging sales environment. The average active brand partners have declined from 13,400 to 7,700, indicating a reduction in sales force engagement. The company is experiencing a challenging period for new consultant recruiting, impacting its direct sales industry performance. High inflation and reduced disposable income among families with small children are negatively affecting sales. The sale of the Hilty complex has been delayed, and its completion is crucial for the company's financial viability. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with EDUC. Q: If the sale of the Hilty complex falls through, what is the board's contingency plan? Would you consider hiring an advisor to explore strategic alternatives for the business? A: Craig White, CEO: We have a viable Plan B that also gets us out of bank debt. Our intention is to execute either Plan A or Plan B by the end of September. Plan B involves other offers with quick close contingencies, which we've curated over the last six months. While Plan A is preferred, Plan B is a solid alternative. Q: Can you share more about the buyer group for the Hilty complex? A: Craig White, CEO: The buyer group is a real estate company that has reached out to potential partial investors. I will feel more comfortable sharing details after the initial due diligence period ends on July 28th, when half of their deposit goes hard. Q: Has the board considered implementing minimum ownership requirements to align director incentives with long-term shareholder value? A: Craig White, CEO: We have been focused on growing the business back, but board makeup and governance are on my mind. We are transitioning to make the board more aligned with our current goals, including giving board members small amounts of stock to better align incentives. Q: Why pursue new titles when there is already significant inventory? A: Craig White, CEO: New titles energize our salesforce. Our inventory is still selling, and the new titles are part of a conservative approach that won't significantly increase inventory levels. This strategy signals to our salesforce that we are a viable business with new products. Q: What is the target net revenue run rate and average brand partners for normalization? A: Craig White, CEO: It will take time to rebuild, but we are putting pieces in place, such as IT improvements and new projects to excite the field. We have conservative forecasts for low, medium, and high expectations, and it will be a gradual build. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
