PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, January 31, 2012, Destination Maternity Corporation (Nasdaq: DEST) was awarded a commemorative plaque from Dignity U Wear in recognition of Destination Maternity's contributions to Dignity U Wear supporting their mission of helping women who have suffered domestic violence, emotional and/or physical abuse, or are at risk to drop out of school. Representatives of Dignity U Wear presented the plaque to Ed Krell, Chief Executive Officer of Destination Maternity Corporation, in thanks for his leadership role in facilitating this partnership benefitting disadvantaged women.

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As the world's largest retailer of maternity clothing, Destination Maternity supplies expectant moms with fashionable and comfortable maternity apparel at all price points. Through this relationship with Dignity U Wear, Destination Maternity helps ensure that those without the means to buy maternity clothes are not forgotten. Since 2005, Destination Maternity has donated over 3,000 boxes of clothing, valued at more than $1 million, to Dignity U Wear.

Dignity U Wear gives brand new clothing to schools and nonprofit agencies serving those in need. They specialize in soliciting, warehousing, and distributing brand new clothing nationally, at no cost to the recipient. Dignity U Wear serves hundreds of agencies with a variety of missions. With national spokesperson and actor Mark Wahlberg, the organization focuses on bettering the lives of three groups in particular: school children, veterans, and women and girls.

"We're so grateful that Destination Maternity has become such a strong partner to Dignity U Wear," said Bob Bryan, Executive Director. "Acquiring maternity clothing for disadvantaged women across the United States had been a real challenge for us until Destination Maternity stepped up and made a commitment to support our efforts. Since our partnership started they have provided more than $1 million dollars in new maternity clothing. When a woman is facing an uncertain future due to a domestic violence situation, economic challenges or other difficult circumstances, receiving apparel makes a huge difference in how she feels about herself and her pregnancy. It provides her with a little hope, where there wasn't any before."

"Destination Maternity is extremely proud of its contributions to Dignity U Wear," said Ed Krell, Chief Executive Officer of Destination Maternity Corporation. "We look forward to our continued partnership with Dignity U Wear in order to benefit women in need."

About Destination Maternity Corporation:

Destination Maternity Corporation is the world's largest designer and retailer of maternity apparel. In the United States and Canada, as of December 31, 2011, Destination Maternity operates 2,061 retail locations, including 656 stores, predominantly under the tradenames Motherhood Maternity®, A Pea in the Pod®, and Destination Maternity®, and 1,405 leased department locations, and sells on the web through its DestinationMaternity.com and brand-specific websites. Destination Maternity also distributes its Oh Baby by Motherhood® collection through a licensed arrangement at over 1,100 Kohl's® stores throughout the United States and on Kohls.com. In addition, Destination Maternity is expanding internationally and has exclusive store franchise and product supply relationships in India, the Middle East and South Korea. As of December 31, 2011, Destination Maternity has 78 international franchised locations, including 63 shop-in-shop locations and 15 Destination Maternity branded stores.

About Dignity U Wear:

The mission of Dignity U Wear is to positively impact the lives of children and their families in need by providing brand new clothing at no cost to the recipients. Dignity U Wear partners with the apparel industry to provide the supply of clothing and then works through a network of social service agencies to deliver the clothing based on specified needs. Founded by Henri Landwirth in 2000, the organization has provided more than 6.6 million pieces, valued at $120 million, to more than 450,000 people. For more information about Dignity U Wear, visit www.dignityuwear.org or www.facebook.com/dignityuwear.

SOURCE Destination Maternity Corporation