Education, Business Leaders Gather to Support PTA
Sprint honored with PTA national award for service to children
CHICAGO (October 11, 2006) —Education and business leaders will join PTA tonight at a national gala to show their support of parent involvement in public education so that all children succeed. Sprint will receive the 2006 PTA Commitment to America’s Children Award during the gala at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Washington, D.C.
Sprint will be honored for its work and contributions to the community, as well as its dedication and service to children. Since 1989, the Sprint Foundation has provided more than $85 million to community organizations. Sprint supports K-12 public education through the creation and sponsorship of programs that contribute to and improve student achievement; family engagement; and educator development.
“This event provides an opportunity for our country’s leaders and child advocates to show their support for the decades of work of PTA members,” said Anna Weselak, PTA national president. “PTA is honored to recognize corporate citizens like Sprint under a national light for all the great work they do for children and their support of PTA members.”
Examples of Sprint’s work for the community include a signature grant program and their sponsorship of Kansas City’s Connect with Kids. The Sprint Achievement Program provides funding for educators to execute projects in their classrooms addressing critical areas of need to improve student achievement and increase family involvement. Connect with Kids is a multimedia character education program focusing on the education and well-being of children. Connect with Kids combines age-appropriate school curriculum with a community-wide media campaign that involves teachers, students, families and community organizations.
”At Sprint, we are committed to making a difference in the areas that are important to our customers and our employees,” said Ralph Reid, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility for Sprint, who will accept the award. “Education and youth development are key initiatives that we support. The PTA has been an excellent organization with which to partner on this mission, and I am so proud they have chosen us to receive this year’s Commitment to America’s Children Award.”
Performing tonight at the gala are Mandy Imbriglia and Tony Kormann, two recipients of the 2006 Reflections Program Award of Merit in the musical composition category. The Reflections Program offers schools an opportunity to showcase the importance of arts in education and has encouraged millions of students across the nation to explore their artistic talents. This year, the Reflections Program kicks-off during PTA Start the Art Week, October 9 – 13, which coincides with the gala.
ABOUT THE COMMITMENT TO AMERICA’S CHILDREN AWARD:
The Commitment to America’s Children Award celebrates exceptional and distinguished service to the nation’s communities by supporting education and children. The award recognizes dedication and leadership on behalf of children, families, and schools. Recipients are those who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their commitment to supporting parent involvement in schools; improving educational opportunities for all children; and being a voice on education, health, and safety issues that have an impact on children and families.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Visit PTA’s website, www.pta.org, for information about the 2006 Commitment to America’s Children Gala. Visit www.sprint.com/community for information about Sprint’s community support. To RSVP for the event (media receives complimentary tickets), please contact James Martinez, (312) 670-6782, ext. 325 or at (773) 339-4533
