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SBC Foundation and The San Antonio Public Library Foundation Host Sleepover for 50 Kids at Central Library
SBC Foundation and The San Antonio Public Library Foundation Host Sleepover for 50 Kids at Central Library
Published 11-21-03
Submitted by SBC Communications Inc.
The sleepover is the second and final part of an innovative program to increase the library system's outreach to local school children. Tonight's event follows a highly successful 100-hour read-a-thon staged earlier this week, which featured SBC officials, local celebrities and civic leaders reading non-stop to school kids at all 20 San Antonio library locations. Both events mark the end of a year-long 100th birthday celebration for the San Antonio Public Library System.
The City Council and District 1 Councilman Roger Flores have long supported efforts to increase public use of the San Antonio Public Library.
"We need to increase San Antonio literacy rates and the Library is an educational asset that can help us accomplish this task," said Councilman Flores. "The read-a-thon and sleepover are great ways to increase learning, underscore the importance of reading and bring attention to all of the programs and services that our Library offers."
"The San Antonio Library is the best friend any child can have," said Ed Whitacre, CEO of SBC, who helped kick off the overnight event with a reading of a popular children's book. "We have enjoyed being a part of this centennial celebration and we are happy to support the San Antonio Public Library's mission to promote literacy and learning."
More than 1,000 local youngsters, ages 8-10, registered to win the chance to spend the night at the library. Fifty were chosen, each representing a different public or private school in the San Antonio area.
In addition to Whitacre's reading, the sleepover will include organized games, movies, special activities, and goodies provided by Pizza Hut, Krispy Kreme and Wal-Mart. Adult volunteers from the San Antonio Public Library Foundation and the SBC Pioneer volunteer organization will chaperone the children.
As a blue ribbon partner for the San Antonio Public Library's Centennial Celebration, the SBC Foundation pledged $1 million for the purchase of children's books and other youth learning materials. The "Connecting Kids to the Library" event is an extra effort to help the library system both celebrate its 100th birthday and increase its outreach to families and children in the San Antonio area.
"We can't thank SBC enough for its wholehearted support of our centennial year and our goals for the future," said Kye Fox, former chairman of the board of the San Antonio Public Library Foundation. "SBC is an exceptional corporate citizen that understands the need for making young people passionate about reading and learning. It really is a commitment to the future of San Antonio - and we are very grateful for SBC's support."
The SBC Foundation is the charitable giving arm of SBC Communications Inc. The SBC Foundation supports efforts that enrich and strengthen diverse communities nationwide, particularly those with an emphasis on education and technology and those that benefit underserved populations. SBC Foundation-backed programs are designed to increase access to information technologies, broaden technology training and professional skills development, and effectively integrate new technologies to enhance education and economic development.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy and The Foundation Center have consistently ranked the SBC Foundation among the nation's top five corporate foundations. In 2002, the SBC Foundation launched SBC Excelerator, a multi-million dollar competitive grants program that funds nonprofit organizations in their efforts to digitally connect communities.
Created in 1983, the San Antonio Public Library Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to expanding funding of the library system through private and philanthropic support. For more information on the foundation and its activities, please call 225-4728 - or visit www.saplf.org.
SBC Communications Inc. (www.sbc.com) is one of the world's leading data, voice and Internet services providers. Through its world-class networks, SBC companies provide a full range of voice, data, networking and e-business services, as well as directory advertising and publishing. A Fortune 30 company, SBC is America's leading provider of high-speed DSL Internet Access services and one of the nation's leading Internet Service Providers. SBC companies currently serve 55 million access lines nationwide. In addition, SBC companies own 60 percent of America's second-largest wireless company, Cingular Wireless, which serves more than 23 million wireless customers. Internationally, SBC companies have telecommunications investments in 26 countries.
Created in 1983, the San Antonio Public Library Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to expanding funding of the library system through private and philanthropic support.
