Over 7000 Attend Atlanta Partnership Run/Walk to Help End Global Poverty

Students from JC Booth Middle School in Fayette County participated in the run.

Over 7000 participated in the Atlanta Partnership Run/Walk to demonstrate their support for ending global poverty. Partnership Walk, now in its 15th year, is an event held annually in major cities across the U.S. The Walk is an initiative of Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. (AKF USA) to raise awareness and funds to alleviate global poverty and promote partnership between America and the developing world. Nationwide, over 30,000 are expected to participate in the Walk in nine cities, including Birmingham, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Memphis, Orlando and San Francisco. Visit www.PartnershipsInAction.org/walk.

The Run/Walk brought together families, friends, students and leaders in government, business, media and the arts for a day of learning activities, fundraising and culturally diverse performances. Approximately $1,000,000 was raised at today’s charity event to expand opportunities for impoverished communities in Asia and Africa. 100% of funds raised at Partnership Walk go directly to the projects supported by the Foundation. The cost of organizing the Run/Walk is completely underwritten by AKF USA and in-kind contributors. No contributions are used for administrative costs. Since 1995, PartnershipsInAction events have attracted over 280,000 participants, raising $32 million.

The 2009 Atlanta Partnership Run/Walk was held at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. In addition to the traditional 1K Walk, Partnership Run/Walk featured its first ever 5K Run/Walk, 1K Run for children ages 7-13 and 100-yard Run for children 6 and under. Participants walked or ran to demonstrate their solidarity and commitment for helping the less fortunate in some of the poorest regions of the world lift themselves out of poverty.

The event featured celebrities and distinguished guests, along with entertainment celebrating the diversity of world cultures. Special guests included Dikembe Motumbo, Chair and President of Dikembe Motumbo Foundation and NBA All-Star of the Houston Rockets. Other dignitaries included Melvin Everson, Georgia State Representative; Jerry Oberholtzer, Mayor of Snellville; and Gwen Desselle, Georgia State Teacher of the Year. The lively stage program was hosted by media celebrities Suchita Vadlamani of Fox 5 “Good Day Atlanta.”

Below are comments made by the guest speakers:
Dikembe Motumbo in reminding us of our responsibility towards the less fortunate said, “When you take the elevator to go up you always gotta make sure to send that elevator back down because there are people who need that same elevator you took to come up.”

Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer presented a key to the City of Snellville to AKF U.S.A. CEO Iqbal Noorali. In his address he stressed the need of people to be involved in a worthwhile cause to build a better and closer community.

Melvin Everson, Georgia State Representative has been impressed with the works of AKF of helping to stamp out global poverty. He said that,” AKF is doing an exceptional job in bringing the cause in front of the people and I support its cause.”

Gwen Desselle, Georgia State Teacher of the Year reminded to the participants that ,”You’re here because you believe that we can make a difference, you’re here because you believe that we can eradicate the problems that plaque society and most of those problems stem from poverty, problems such as illiteracy problems such as hunger. We who are more fortunate have an obligation, we have a duty to help out brothers and sisters by extending to them education by extending to them encouragement and you know that is something the Aga Khan Foundation has been doing for the last 25 years.”

Iqbal Noorali, CEO of Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A in his address to mentioned that Poverty is the main cause of instability in the world but we have to be partners in relieving the poverty.

An agency of the Aga Khan Development Network

The 2009 theme for the Walk, “Education – The Universal Bridge” highlighted the impact of Aga Khan Foundation’s educational activities. Serving as a bridge to help individuals and communities build more productive, fulfilling and dignified lives, the Foundation’s educational activities span across a broad range of initiatives to help people in Asia and Africa reach their full potential, covering early childhood development, primary and secondary school improvement, and skills and management training for professionals, entrepreneurs and community members.

Aga Khan Foundation’s education programs bring to light the power of partnerships and reflect the Foundation’s enduring commitment to education. For over a quarter century, Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. has worked in the developing world in the areas of health, education, rural development, civil society and the environment. These efforts equip people with life-long skills to overcome poverty and embrace the time-tested principle of helping people to help themselves.

One of the most inspiring features of Partnership Walk was the Village in Action, where participants enjoyed interactive displays and hands-on exhibits that spotlighted how the Foundation is implementing creative solutions in poor regions from Afghanistan to Zanzibar with projects that promote quality education and health care, expand microcredit opportunities and improve incomes and agricultural productivity. Volunteers guided participants through the Village in Action to introduce the innovative ways that Aga Khan Foundation is alleviating hunger, disease and illiteracy.

AKF USA, established in 1981, is a private, non-denominational, non-profit international development organization committed to alleviating poverty, hunger, disease and illiteracy. AKF USA is part of the Aga Khan Development Network (www.akdn.org), a network of private, non-denominational, development agencies around the world, established by His Highness the Aga Khan to empower communities and individuals, often in disadvantaged circumstances, improve living conditions and opportunities. The overarching goal of the Network’s programs is to help poor communities achieve a level of self-reliance whereby they are able to plan their own futures. The Foundation presently supports over 100 programs in 18 countries for the common good of all citizens regardless of their gender, origin or religion. The geographic focus of the Foundation’s development programs is in East Africa and South and Central Asia.

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Schools Nationwide Receive $12.8 Million in Extra Credit Funds From Target

/PRNewswire/ -- Target announced today that its Take Charge of Education® school fundraising initiative has provided more than $12.8 million in funding to schools nationwide. Until recently, Target donated to schools twice a year. The undesignated funds can be used for whatever schools need most, from books and school supplies to classroom technology, artist-in-residence programs and extracurricular activities. As the program continues its 12th year, Take Charge of Education has donated more than $273 million to more than 100,000 schools nationwide - 75 percent of the nation's K-12 schools.

"As schools nationwide continue to endure sharp budget cuts, they are in need of immediate support and leadership from outside sources more than ever," said Laysha Ward, president, community relations, Target. "Take Charge of Education allows our Target team members to create meaningful relationships with their local schools, while also inviting guests to easily help us make a real difference every day by positively impacting local students' learning experiences."

Take Charge of Education allows Target guests to easily designate an eligible K-12 school of their choice and have Target donate an amount equal to one percent of their REDcard(SM) (Target® Visa® Credit Card, Target Credit Card(SM) and Target Check Card(SM)) purchases made at Target and Target.com*. In addition, Target also donates 0.5 percent of Target Visa Credit Card purchases made everywhere else Visa credit cards are accepted.

Schools like Red River High School in Grand Forks, N,D, use the donations to help fund student groups that don't have budgets and need assistance with registration fees, travel and supply costs. In the past they have funded students involved with Science Bowl and Science Fair competitions. Take Charge of Education, along with the support of parents, helps make good things happen for its students.

Beginning in 2010, Take Charge of Education payouts will be distributed once a year in September, as opposed to twice a year. This is a change from the past, when schools would receive payouts in March and September. By changing the payout schedule from twice a year to once a year, Target will be able to streamline processes and better serve schools - eliminating any confusion with multiple payouts. The September payout is an optimal time to award schools with Take Charge of Education support, as a way of celebrating the start of a new school year and offering schools some additional support to help with needs. Total funds to schools will not be altered or affected.

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Borders(R) Increases Teacher Discount to 30% During Educator Appreciation Week at Borders and Waldenbooks Stores Nationwide Sept. 29 Through Oct. 7

/PRNewswire/ -- A great 30% discount, networking opportunities, activities, giveaways and fun for the whole family -- this and much more await educators during Educator Appreciation Week, Sept. 29 through Oct. 7 at nearly all Borders stores as well as select Waldenbooks stores nationwide. During this special week, Borders will honor current and retired teachers, librarians, licensed homeschoolers, school administrators and daycare facilitators with 30% off the list price of nearly everything in stores including books, teaching resources and materials, music, movies, educational toys and games, gifts and stationery and even Seattle's Best Coffee cafe products. To take advantage of the 30% discount, educators need only present proof of educators status, which can be a paystub or an identification card with a current date. (Homeschoolers must present their homeschool certification.) Borders recently increased its everyday classroom discount to 25% off classroom purchases, but the special 30% discount during Educator Appreciation Week can be applied toward classroom purchases as well as items for personal enjoyment.

Educator Appreciation Week - Highlights

Educator Appreciation Week will officially kick off Tuesday, Sept. 29 with a "Teacher Town Hall" reception at 7 p.m. in virtually all Borders stores and select Waldenbooks stores nationwide. During the reception, educators will be encouraged to share their inspirations, challenges, and triumphs - whatever is on their minds - with other educators in an open and sharing atmosphere. The Borders' Kids' Specialists will be on hand to make product recommendations and answer questions about the retailer's new expanded Kids Department, which includes hundreds of educational toys and games, and Borders' new "Teaching Zones," which feature educational workbooks, curriculum development books, inspirational narratives and many non-book items. Attendees can enjoy various giveaways throughout the evening including bookmarks and posters.

The marquee event of Educator Appreciation Week will take place Friday, Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. when the retailer will host a "Wild Rumpus Teacher Celebration," themed after the book -- and upcoming feature film --"Where the Wild Things Are." Educators are encouraged to bring their whole families to this event for an evening of fun including arts and crafts and storytelling activities for the kids as well as giveaways, a raffle of the "Where the Wild Things Are" movie poster -- and of course, the opportunity to shop and get a 30% discount on Borders' huge selection of books, music, movies, toys and games as well as other items for the whole family.

Everyday Classroom Discount

While enjoying Educator Appreciation Week, educators are encouraged to sign up for the free Borders Classroom Discount Card, which provides an everyday 25% discount off the list price of all books, music CDs, toys and games, and 10% off DVDs for classroom use. In addition, for the first time, educators can now combine their classroom purchase discount with their free Borders Rewards membership and earn $5 in "Borders Bucks" for every $150 in annual qualifying purchases as well as valuable discounts and offers.

Daily Inspiration

Borders has created an online resource trove at www.borders.com/teaching dedicated to meeting the professional needs of educators. The site is rich with expert recommendations for classroom materials for all stages of learning and development as well as enriching features, such as the Teaching Zone Video Channel where educators can garner a daily dose of heartwarming inspiration from such bestselling authors as Pat Conroy and Kate DiCamillo, who talk about the importance of learning and the critical roles teachers played in their lives. The site also includes "postcards to inspire," touching e-messages that can be quickly and easily sent to special teachers -- just because.

In addition, Borders has also created the "Borders Teaching Zone" Facebook page where educators can muse about the latest developments in the world of education, learn about hot new and upcoming titles and get the lowdown on upcoming events at Borders.

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Operation StoryBook Begins Love of Literature in the Cradle

Studies show nearly two-thirds of low-income families own no books for their children, yet book ownership is one of the strongest predictors of future reading success. To prevent the resulting achievement gap, on September 11th Sheltering Arms Early Education & Family Centers will launch Operation StoryBook, a family literacy initiative that begins children’s love of reading in the cradle. Corporate and community volunteers, VIPs, and professional storytellers will share stories with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers during a day-long Read-A-Thon in 17 Sheltering Arms centers across metro Atlanta.

"Ninety percent of children’s brain development occurs in the early years before kindergarten," says Elaine Draeger, President of Sheltering Arms. "Even before they can read, children who grow up in homes rich with printed and spoken word are building skills to become enthusiastic readers."

Operation StoryBook will help families give children this strong start. Anchored by the Children's StoryBook Club, Operation StoryBook will provide 2300 children—most from low-income working families--with 12 new books for their home libraries over the next year. Research-driven curriculum, literacy enrichment activities, and parent storytelling workshops will then bring these books alive for Sheltering Arms’ children and their families.

"For many of us, the values we hold most dear are those we learned through stories…stories shared by family, stories heard in worship, stories read in books," says Rob Cleveland of August House, an Atlanta publisher of children's books. "With our mobile society, children often don’t hear the stories of older generations that in the past taught lessons about character, culture, and community. Operation StoryBook builds children into readers, but it does much more. It turns parents into storytellers." August House’s title, The Archer and the Sun, a Chinese folktale that explains the rising and setting of the sun, is Operation StoryBook's September StoryBook Club selection. On September 11, 2300 children will receive a copy of The Archer and the Sun for their home library.

Operation StoryBook is presented by Target, and sponsored by PFG Milton's, Cousins Properties, State Street Global Advisors, Alston & Bird, The Coca-Cola Company, Hollis & Company, Wachovia, and DLA Piper. As a warm-up to the festivities on Friday, on Wednesday, September 9, sponsors and other friends of Sheltering Arms will gather for the CockTales and Legends reception to kick-off Operation StoryBook. The Lovett School will be honored as this year's Sheltering Arms Legends Award winner, in honor of more than 40 years of volunteer service.The community is invited to participate in Operation StoryBook by volunteering, donating books, or sponsoring a child. Information is available on the Sheltering Arms website.
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America Supports You: Group Helps Family Members With Education

Military family members looking to further their education have a friend in a support organization called Thanks USA.

"So many spouses appreciate the opportunity to go back to school and finish their education," explained Carolyn Ferek, Thanks USA's board secretary, said in an "ASY Live" interview on BlogTalkRadio.

"ASY Live" is part of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad. Thanks USA is an America Supports You supporter.

Ferek said the focus of Thanks USA is different from that of many other scholarship-based organizations, because while it does focus on providing assistance to military dependents, it also uniquely gears a lot of its funding toward spouses.

"It's not just for dependents," she said. "It's for spouses, because we feel like so many times the spouses are at home taking care of the families, and they are forced to put their career on hold."

When the organization was founded, Ferek explained, she could not find many organizations that focused on providing for spouses and dependents of current servicemembers based on their need. "Some offered them to military families if there was a death or an injury, but ours isn't like that," she said. "We offer it as a need-based scholarship; we have educational scholarships for any branch of the military for college, technical and vocational schools."

Ferek cited a couple of people the organization has helped.

"I remember one person that wrote to us saying that she would be the first one in her family to have a college education thanks to our program," Ferek said. "Another woman we helped down in Florida had just had a lung transplant, and still really wanted to go to college. She was just trying to get herself healthy, but she was just so positive and optimistic about her future and wanting to make a difference. So many of the scholarship winners want to give back to the community."

The organization has raised nearly $4 million and we has awarded more than 1,350 scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 dollars. "We have given scholarships to military families all across the United States in all 50 states," Ferek said.

By Jamie Findlater
Special to American Forces Press Service

Jamie Findlater, host of "ASY Live," works in the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.

The Avenue Raises Funds to Help Students and Families in Need

The Fayette County School System's Children at Risk in Education (CARE) program supports students and their families who are in need due to life changes not in their control. The Avenue Peachtree City has partnered with the school system's CARE program to help provide funding needed to meet the needs of those students, enabling them to have a successful and enriching educational experience.

In January, The Avenue presented CARE Coordinator Karen Spangler with $1,518 that was raised through its Breakfast with Santa program.

"The proceeds will be used to meet qualifying needs from our Angel Tree that were not met during the holidays with the remainder being used throughout the year to meet ongoing needs of students," says Spangler.

"We are very grateful to The Avenue for the hard work and effort that went into making the fundraiser so successful. Because of their efforts, we can better meet the needs of our students."
In addition to the donation, the CARE program received another gift from The Avenue. Marketing Manager Kim Tanaglo-Minshew announced that the shopping center would raise money each month for CARE by expanding its summer Camp Avenue program to a monthly schedule.

"We will continue making CARE our charitable organization for Camp Avenue. The monthly schedule gives shoppers an opportunity to make donations all year long instead of just June and July," she says.

At the beginning of the school year, Camp Avenue donated hundreds of school supplies that were divvied up among Fayette's schools for distribution to students who needed them.

CARE carefully screens students and families who receive assistance. The parents must be employed but unable to meet the needs for which they are requesting assistance. No money is given directly to parents or students. Anyone wishing to make a donation to CARE can do so by contacting Spangler at the LaFayette Educational Center, 770-460-3990.

Georgia Nonprofit Groups Received More Than $600,000 in 2007 From the Verizon Foundation to Support Education, Domestic Violence and Internet Safety

Verizon Employees Volunteered 4,150 Hours to State's Nonprofits

ATLANTA, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Verizon's commitment to the Georgia communities it serves proved strong in 2007 through grants for a broad range of programs to improve educational opportunities, promote Internet safety and aid victims of domestic violence.

In 2007, the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, provided $609,782 in grants to 205 nonprofit groups in Georgia through competitive grants and through the Verizon Volunteers program, which rewards employees with matching gifts and grants to nonprofits that employees donate to and support. In 2007, Verizon employees volunteered 4,150 hours to nonprofit groups across the state.

"Verizon has a long-standing tradition of working to improve the communities where we operate by supporting organizations that strive to make a difference in the lives of community members," said Michelle Robinson, Verizon senior vice president -- Southern region. "Through grants and the generous contributions of time and talent from our employees, we are having a positive impact in communities throughout the state." Among the grants awarded by Verizon in 2007 are:

-- Georgia Center for Children, Atlanta -- $20,000 to provide therapy and
treatment to children who are victims of sexual abuse.

-- Georgia Public Telecommunications Commission, Atlanta -- $25,000 to
fund the Georgia CyberSafety Initiative, an awareness and action
campaign, including an Internet safety forum for parents.

-- Georgia Public Policy Foundation, Atlanta -- $24,500 to fund the
creation of an online version of the Georgia Report Card for Parents,
a free online database of information on performance, demographics and
financial information for all Georgia public schools.

-- Gwinnett Country Public Schools Foundation Fund, Suwannee -- $10,000
for an innovative program for students, focusing on engineering,
bioscience and emerging technologies.

-- Medical College of Georgia Research Institute Inc., Augusta -- $50,000
to fund a project that will test the use of wireless hand-held devices
to transmit electrocardiograms and meet the challenge of providing
acute cardiac care to Americans, regardless of where they are when a
cardiac incident occurs.

-- Women Are Dreamers Too, Norcross -- $10,000 to develop an in-house
math and science library for children and an online survival guide for
victims of domestic violence.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, is committed to improving literacy and K-12 education through its signature program Thinkfinity.org; fostering awareness and prevention of domestic violence; and promoting the use of technology in health-care delivery. In 2006, the foundation awarded more than $69 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The foundation also matched charitable donations from Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $29 million in combined contributions. Under the foundation's Verizon Volunteer initiative, one of the nation's largest employee-volunteer programs, company employees and retirees have also contributed nearly 3 million hours of community service since Verizon's inception in 2000.

For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

Silver for Santa Makes Holidays Brighter for J.C. Booth Families

Students at J.C. Booth Middle have captured the true spirit of the holiday season.

About 10 years ago the school started a fundraiser to help their own families who were struggling financially have a more memorable holiday. It has operated under several different names throughout the years but is now called Silver for Santa, with the word “silver” representing the spirit of giving.

Students are asked to consider donating whatever amount they feel is appropriate. The money collected is used to pay for practical items like rent, eyeglasses or doctor visits for students.
“And sometimes we just buy a bicycle because it’s what needs to be done,” says school guidance counselor Lynda Manwaring.

Manwaring did not disclose the goal for the fundraiser, saying that a goal was set only to have a ceiling, but the project raised more money than ever topping out at over $6,600.

“This has been the most successful endeavor we have ever undertaken but the definitive monetary amount is really irrelevant. It is the loving, generous spirit of our students and families that makes this project special,” says Manwaring.

While students throughout the school have stepped up to help their own, one class in particular has been leading the way. Dave Edinger’s eighth grade homeroom collected over $1,000, the most of any classroom at the school. Although Manwaring admits that Edinger has been a motivating force, she says it is the students who answered the call and stepped outside of themselves to help others.

“Our students are so very generous with what they have been given and they often put others first. Our youth are truly wonderful, young adults,” she says.

Silver for Santa came about because the school saw a need for families who were struggling to pay bills and send their children to school, leaving little money left for anything else.

“Our desire is, and continues to be, to celebrate the spirit of the season by making memories better for others,” Manwaring says.

The fundraiser takes place over a 10-day period.