Dollar General Launches Literacy Rocks Sweepstakes

May 05, 2010

Reckitt Benckiser donates $250,000 to Dollar General Literacy Foundation

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. (BUSINESS WIRE), May 05, 2010 - Dollar General Corporation (NYSE: DG) is partnering with Reckitt Benckiser and country music star Gretchen Wilson to launch Literacy Rocks. The sweepstakes, which launched May 3 in Dollar General stores, offers customers the opportunity to win an exclusive concert experience with Gretchen Wilson or autographed CDs.

To kick-off Literacy Rocks, Reckitt Benckiser donated $250,000 to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to support literacy initiatives. In addition, for every Lysol^®, Air Wick^® or Finish^® product purchased at Dollar General, Reckitt Benckiser will donate 5 cents to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, up to $75,000.

“We are pleased to offer our customers the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime experience with Gretchen Wilson, as well as help the Dollar General Literacy Foundation,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s chairman and CEO. “The funds raised through this promotion will support literacy programs in the communities we serve.”

Literacy and education are two initiatives close to Gretchen’s heart. Until recently, she was one of the million Americans who hadn’t finished high school. In 2008, at the age of 34, she earned her GED. As a dedicated mother, it was important for her to earn the diploma not only for herself, but to show her daughter the importance of education. Through her participation in the Literacy Rocks sweepstakes, Gretchen is helping others reach their own education dreams.

Dollar General customers will find more information about Literacy Rocks at any Dollar General store or online at www.dgliteracy.com. The sweepstakes begins May 3 and ends June 14.

Since the Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s inception in 1993, it has provided grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to the advancement of literacy. The Foundation has awarded more than $47.2 million in grants across Dollar General’s 35-state market area. These grants support adult, family and youth literacy initiatives. In addition to cash grants, Dollar General’s in-store Learn to Read brochures have offered free literacy referrals to more than 53,000 people.

About Dollar General

Dollar General is a leading discount retailer with more than 8,800 neighborhood stores. Dollar General stores provide convenience and value to customers by offering consumable basic items such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids and cleaning supplies, as well as basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at everyday low prices. The company has a longstanding tradition of supporting literacy and education. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $47.2 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 2.5 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. To learn more about Dollar General, visit www.dollargeneral.com.