HOLLYWOOD, Calif., April 16 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, April 17, 2009, Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), will celebrate its 14th year of Viacommunity Day. The employee volunteerism and community outreach effort, begun by Viacom in 1995, will benefit numerous schools, hospitals and charities around the world. This year, more than 1,000 Paramount employees in 17 countries will be at more than 50 different sites worldwide painting schools, reading with kids, cleaning beaches and serving the homeless, among other community activities.

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"At a time when people in every part of the world are struggling with significant economic challenges, this day of service takes on even greater meaning," said Brad Grey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Paramount Pictures Corporation. "Viacommunity Day is an honored tradition for our employees and reminds us that we each have the power to make a difference."

Los Angeles-based employees from all divisions of Paramount Pictures will dedicate the day to improve the educational experience at six deserving Los Angeles-area schools, serving nearly 5,000 children and teens. Employee projects will center around campus beautification, career-exploration sessions, and interaction with students including reading, music, arts and crafts, among others. The 2009 Viacommunity Day sites in Los Angeles include:

• Frances Blend Special Education Center [5210 Clinton St, Los Angeles, CA 90004]
  • With site visit by Councilman Tom LaBonge
• Van Ness Avenue School [501 N Van Ness Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004]
  
• Larchmont Charter School [815 N El Centro Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038]
  
• Helen Bernstein High School [1309 N Wilton Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90028]
  
• Angeles Mesa Elementary [2611 W 52nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90043
  • With site visit by a representative from the office of Councilman Bernard Parks
• Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School [725 S Indiana St, Los Angeles, CA 90023]
  • With site visits by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Councilman Jose Huizar, LAUSD Board President Monica Garcia and representatives from the offices of Supervisor Gloria Molina and Assemblyman John Perez

Around the world, Paramount employees will be engaged in an unprecedented number of Viacommunity Day activities in 17 countries. Highlights include:

• In Australia, employees will be beautifying the Sydney Harbor National Park
  
• In the UK, employees will work on conservation projects at local wetlands centers and at National Trust parks
  
• In Mexico, employees will host a "Hollywood" event for orphans with AIDS
  
• In Japan, employees will spearhead a recyclables drive

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