Community Overview
WWE has a strong philosophy to give back to the communities and children whom we touch. “WWE In Your Corner” is WWE’s charitable arm that focuses on literacy programs, civic engagement, military support and a 25-plus year partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. We do not accept unsolicited charitable requests. For questions about our programs, please email: InYourCorner@wwecorp.com or call 203-352-1000 or write to In Your Corner, 1241 E Main Street, Stamford, CT 06901.
To learn more about WWE’s recent community activities, please click here.
be a STAR
For more information, please visit www.beaSTARalliance.org.
“be a STAR” is a multi-platform, global anti-bullying alliance that launched in April 2011 in conjunction with the National Education Association Health Information Network (NEA HIN), GLAAD, True Educator Inc., Ad Council, Island Def Jam Music Group, Stomp Out Bullying and others.
The mission of “be a STAR” —which stands for ‘Show Tolerance And Respect’—is to ensure a positive and equitable social environment for everyone regardless of age, race, religion or sexual orientation through grassroots efforts beginning with education and awareness. “be a STAR” promotes positive methods of social interaction and encourage people to treat others as equals and with respect because everyone is a star in their own right.
For its first initiative, the alliance unveiled a free anti-bullying curriculum created by NEA HIN that debuted in April 2011. The teacher’s aide aligns with national education standards to complement curriculums, and consists of nine lesson plans that teachers can access at www.beaSTARalliance.org.
The alliance recently debuted “be a STAR” Toolkits which became available on August 11 to help children start their own “be a STAR” chapters. The free kit includes a guide on how to start the chapter, suggested activities, resources, a poster and many other useful tools to combat bullying. In addition, WWE Superstars and Divas will visit schools around the world in an ongoing effort to promote tolerance and respect.
WrestleMania Reading Challenge
WWE and the American Library Association’s Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) sponsor the WrestleMania Reading Challenge to encourage teens and tweens to read more often. In 2010-2011, The Challenge culminated at the national WrestleMania Reading Challenge Final the weekend of WrestleMania XXVII in Atlanta, Georgia. Three champions from grades 5-6, 7-8, and 9-12 were named World Champions. More than 1,800 libraries and 50,000 young people from the U.S. and Canada participated. This year’s Challenge was also undertaken in Germany and titled “Bücher in den Ring.” The 2011-2012 challenge will take place this year in Miami.
SummerSlam Reading Jam
This global literacy program encourages young people of all ages to read a book in the summer. From July through August, kids can join the program by visiting the “In Your Corner” section of WWE.com. Those who participate are asked to email the name of their favorite author along with one of the books they will read during the summer. By joining the program, kids receive a free SummerSlam poster through mail or digital download which is available in 20 languages.
Circle of Champions
WWE’s Circle of Champions grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses who desire to meet their favorite WWE Superstars and Divas. Since 1982, WWE Superstars have conducted more than 5,000 meet-and-greet sessions with sick children in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Spain, Germany and Australia, to name a few. WWE grants in excess of 270 wishes a year to children around the world who have requested meets with our WWE Superstars.
In 2010, WWE granted more than 200 wishes in nine countries through various wish organizations including the Make-A-Wish Foundation. WWE Superstar John Cena, who serves as a Wish Ambassador, partnered with Delta and Make-A-Wish Foundation for a campaign in which Cena donated two million of his personal frequent flyer miles which was matched by WWE fans, Delta and his good friend NASCAR driver Carl Edwards. The resulting 4.3 million miles donated will assist Make-A-Wish grant wishes.
In December 2010, John Cena granted his 200th wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation making him only one of four celebrities to have accomplished this achievement.
Military Outreach
WWE Superstars and Divas regularly visit military bases and hospitals, including Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital, to bolster the morale of our troops. Since 2002, the WWE has produced WWE’s Holiday “Tribute to the Troops” with WWE Superstars and Divas performing before troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and the United States. WWE also is a proud supporter of the National Guard’s Youth ChalleNGe Program, which assists youths in obtaining their G.E.D. or becoming educated in technical trades.