CHICAGO, Aug. 29, 2011 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — With the impending NBA lock out approaching, the Premier Basketball League has been focused on the upcoming season. Brij Desai, PBL President and CEO, shared the league mission, a night of charity, and a contract to play in the 2012 PBL season with one NBA stand-out this past Friday evening.

Chicago native and Miami Heat All-Star Dwyane Wade held his Fourth Annual Wade’s World Weekend benefiting the Wade’s World Foundation and several local Chicago charities. This invite only, star studded event focused on raising much needed funds for local charities inspiring and educating children.

“It was an absolute honor being invited to such an amazing evening of philanthropy. The Premier Basketball League is a stand out supporter of community involvement, and it inspires our entire leadership team seeing what Dwyane is doing for kids,” commented Desai.

Giving back to the Chicago community is not the only thing Desai was able to accomplish for the PBL and partner foundations this weekend. Desai personally presented a 2012 Premier Basketball League contract worth seven figures to Wade for the upcoming season beginning this January and ending in April. On the heals of a successful “NBA Locked-Out Draft” this summer, the PBL has already been in contact negotiations with two additional NBA players and their agents.

“Wade received the highest number of votes in our Locked-Out Draft this summer. Our fans have spoken and I am honored to have personally presented Dwyane with a contract for the 2012 season,” continued Desai. “It’s not everyday that a Chicago native has so much impact on their home town all the way from Miami. With our new league initiatives, regional play model, and NBA Locked-Out player contracts competitive with overseas leagues, we want to give Dwyane Wade the opportunity to continue giving back to his fan base right here in the United States this upcoming season.”

Desai also had the opportunity to talk with Wade’s agent Henry Thomas, as well as present the official PBL promotional kit with a copy of the first game of the 2011 PBL Finals in Rochester.

“Every major player in the NBA is being approached by multiple leagues around the world. We are excited to be receiving so much attention and positive feedback from the NBA players and agents that we are in talks with now,” concluded Desai.

With a new regional play model for the 2012 season, the PBL is growing quickly. Already adding 6 teams to the 2012 season roster, the PBL has plans on a September announcement of two additional teams for the upcoming season. Each team is firmly committed to their respective communities and the fan base across the nation.

For more information on the Premier Basketball League and NBA Locked-Out player contract including a picture of Desai presenting the contract to Dwyane Wade please visit www.ThePBL.com or contact Chris Foltz, Vice-President of League Development at chris@thepbl.com.

SOURCE Premier Basketball League (PBL)

http://www.thepbl.com

From NBA Star, to Philanthropist, to Premier Basketball League Standout? | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

OAK BROOK, Illinois, 20 de julio del 2011 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Siguiendo una tradición que desde el año 2008 ha otorgado $1.5 millones para la educación universitaria de estudiantes hispanos, Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) reveló hoy los nombres de los cuatro estudiantes hispanos del último año de la escuela secundaria que recibirán una Beca Nacional RMHC®/HACER® de $100,000 cada uno para ayudarlos a financiar su sueño de acceder a una educación superior. Los estudiantes fueron seleccionados por sus logros académicos, su compromiso con proyectos de servicio a la comunidad y sus necesidades financieras.  

(Foto:  http://photos.CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM.com/prnh/20110720/LA38238)

Las becas de este año fueron otorgadas a Loren Ramirez, de Johns Creek, Ga., que asistirá a la Universidad de Washington en St. Louis; José Limón, de Los Angeles, que asistirá a la Universidad de Yale; Sophia Ottleben, de Mesa, Ariz., que asistirá a la Universidad Johns Hopkins; y Francisco Peña, de McAllen, Texas, que asistirá al Instituto de Tecnología de Massachusetts.

“Al seleccionar a los beneficiarios de las becas, RMHC y el comité de evaluación de becas buscan a estudiantes latinos destacados que tengan el firme compromiso de retribuir y colaborar en las comunidades locales, tanto durante sus años de estudio en la universidad como después de graduarse. Nos enorgullece enormemente que el grupo de este año haya tenido un impacto tan importante en sus comunidades a través de diversos proyectos de servicio, incluyendo iniciativas de recaudación de fondos, colaboración como mentores y apoyo escolar a estudiantes en escuelas primarias, intermedias y secundarias, en comunidades de bajos ingresos”, señaló Martin J. Coyne, presidente y CEO de RMHC. “Desde 1985, el Programa de Becas RMHC/HACER ha otorgado más de $21 millones a estudiantes hispanos. Este programa es una de las maneras en que RMHC brinda estabilidad y recursos a las familias para que sus hijos puedan alcanzar su máximo potencial”.

Una de las estudiantes seleccionadas, Loren Ramírez, recientemente fue sorprendida con la noticia de su selección como beneficiaria de la Beca Nacional RMHC/HACER de este año durante una emisión en vivo del popular programa de variedades Sábado Gigante, transmitido a través de la cadena en español Univisión. Sábado Gigante, un programa grabado en estudios con público en vivo y en el que se ofrece entretenimiento en vivo, historias de interés humano, y concursos, es el programa de Univisión que ha estado en el aire por más tiempo, y el programa televisivo de variedades con mayor permanencia en la pantalla chica a nivel mundial.  Loren fue invitada al programa, junto con su hermana melliza y su madre, con la excusa de que iba a participar en un segmento sobre hermanos mellizos, pero fue sorprendida frente a las cámaras con la noticia de que había sido seleccionada para recibir una Beca Nacional RMHC/HACER de $100,000.

“El servicio a la comunidad siempre ha sido importante para mí. Mientras estudiaba en la escuela secundaria, pude participar en diferentes proyectos, tales como el de recaudar fondos para organizaciones sin fines de lucro, colaborar como mentora en la iglesia de mi comunidad y ayudar a estudiantes más jóvenes en programas locales de apoyo escolar”, expresó Loren.  ”Es muy gratificante ayudar a otras personas que lo necesitan, y siempre aliento a los estudiantes a que también participen en proyectos de servicio.  Me pone muy contenta que RMHC haya tomado en cuenta mi dedicación a mi comunidad local al seleccionarme para recibir la Beca Nacional RMHC/HACER de este año. Esta beca me permitirá concentrarme más en mis estudios y menos en obtener los medios para financiarlos”.  

El Programa de Becas RMHC/HACER fue fundado en 1985 por el dueño/operador de McDonald’s^®Richard Castro de El Paso, Texas, con el apoyo de RMHC, la Corporación McDonald’s y los dueños/operadores hispanos locales de McDonald’s de distintas partes del país. Castro, quien antes se desempeñaba como profesor, estableció el programa luego de notar la creciente cantidad de estudiantes hispanos que abandonaban sus estudios debido a dificultades financieras. El Programa de Becas RMHC/HACER otorga becas que van desde los $1,000 hasta los $100,000 por estudiante y es uno de los programas de becas universitarias más importantes del país para estudiantes hispanos a punto de graduarse de la escuela secundaria.  Las solicitudes para el programa de becas del 2012 estarán disponibles a partir de noviembre de 2011 hasta enero de 2012. Para obtener más información sobre las becas y otros recursos educativos, visita www.rmhc.org y www.MeEncanta.com.

Acerca de RMHC

Ronald McDonald House Charities(RMHC), una organización sin ánimo de lucro, corporación 501 (c) (3), crea, identifica y apoya programas que directamente mejoran la salud y el bienestar de los niños. A través de su red global de Capítulos en 53 países y regiones, sus tres programas principales, el programa Casa Ronald McDonald^®, el programa Sala Familiar Ronald McDonald™ y el programa Clínica Móvil Ronald McDonald™, y millones de dólares en subsidios para apoyar programas que benefician a niños alrededor del mundo, RMHC proporciona estabilidad y recursos a las familias para que puedan ayudar y mantener a sus hijos sanos y felices. Todos los programas apoyados por RMHC sirven de puente para acceder a servicios de salud de calidad y proporcionan a los niños y sus familias el tiempo que necesitan para estar juntos y así poder recuperarse pronto. Para más información, visita www.rmhc.org, síguenos en Twitter (@RMHC), o en Facebook (Facebook.com/RMHC Global).

Acerca de McDonald’s

McDonald’s USA, LLC es el principal proveedor gastronómico de los Estados Unidos al servir diariamente a más de 26 millones de clientes una variedad de comidas preparadas con ingredientes de excelente calidad. Cerca del 90 por ciento de los 14,000 restaurantes McDonald’s en Estados Unidos son propiedad de y están manejados por hombres y mujeres locales en forma independiente. Los clientes ahora pueden conectarse a Internet, sin cargo, en cualquiera de los 11,500 restaurantes McDonald’s participantes de Estados Unidos que ofrecen conexión Wi-Fi. Para obtener más información, visite www.mcdonalds.com, o síganos en Twitter (@McDonalds) y Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) para obtener noticias actualizadas sobre nuestro negocio, nuestras promociones y nuestros productos.

© 2011 McDonald’s

FUENTE  Ronald McDonald House Charities; McDonald’s USA, LLC

FUENTE Ronald McDonald House Charities; McDonald’s USA, LLC

http://www.rmhc.org
http://www.mcdonalds.com

RMHC otorga $400,000 en becas a cuatro estudiantes hispanos que se preparan para ir a la universidad | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) hosted the 25th Annual Elder Rights Conference this week in Chicago.  The conference is held each year in July, Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in Illinois.  This year’s conference, July 6 – 8, marks the 25th year of hosting service providers, senior advocates and other professionals to focus on the rights of elders. 

“This year’s conference is a milestone for us in the fight against elder abuse.  From this work, we know family members are most often the perpetrators when abuse occurs, most victims experience more than one type of abuse and that financial exploitation remains the most common form of elder abuse.  Even though we’ve seen a rise in the number of elder abuse reports, too many go unreported.  Obviously, this type of conference is needed to keep this problem in the spotlight and bring our resources to bear to end elder abuse,” said Director Johnson. 

The conference concluded with an awards luncheon.  The 2011 Elder Rights Awardees included individuals who participated in the first elder abuse caseworker certification training, back in 1989: 

 
• Yvonne Anderson, Visiting Nurses Association of Rockford, Rockford
• Ranelle Eigsti, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet, Kankakee
• Mary Pat Frye, Senior Services Center of Will County, Inc., Joliet
• Cindy Gunderson, Catholic Charities, Northwest Senior Services, Arlington Heights
• Deborah Hartshorne, Visiting Nurses Association of Rockford, Rockford
• Riki Kauffman, PLOWS Council on Aging, Palos Heights
• Margie Kemp, Shawnee Alliance for Seniors, Carterville
• Rebecca Lerfelt, PLOWS Council on Aging, Palos Heights
• Deborah Matthew, Cumberland Associates, Inc., Toledo
• Marsha Nelson, Shawnee Alliance for Seniors, Carterville
• Evelyn Norman, Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Chicago, Round Lake
• Deb Sitz, Solutions for Care, North Riverside
• Louise Starmann, Aging Care Connections, LaGrange
• Mary Lee Tomsa, DuPage County Department of Community Services, Wheaton
• Marilyn Vocker, North Shore Senior Center, Northfield
• Joan Wileman, Stickney Township Office on Aging, Burbank
• Janice Wilkinson, DuPage County Department of Community Services, Wheaton

Three people were honored for efforts to advance the Ombudsman Program and help long term care residents:

• Neyna Johnson, Illinois Department on Aging
• Robyn O’Neill, Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago, Evanston
• Cathy Weightman-Moore, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Rockford, Rockford   

The following legislators, who have done meaningful work in the field of elder rights, were also recognized by IDoA for their strong and consistent advocacy and protection of older adults in Illinois:

• The Honorable William Delgado, State Senator
• The Honorable Mary Flowers, State Representative
• The Honorable Gregory Harris, State Representative
• The Honorable Elizabeth Hernandez , State Representative
• The Honorable Kimberly Lightford, State Senator
• The Honorable Heather Steans, State Senator

For more information about Elder Rights, including the Break the Silence Campaign to promote Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention, log on to the IDoA website at www.state.il.us/aging or call the Senior HelpLine at 800-252-8966 (or TTY for the hearing impaired at 888-206-1327.)
 

IL Dept on Aging Honors Elder Rights Advocates – Awardees Recognized During Elder Abuse Awareness Observance in IL | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Donation Will Help Provide Meals To Children In Need

CHICAGO, March 8, 2011 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) has donated $500,000 to Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, the charity announced today. The funds will be used to help provide nutritious food, groceries and meals to children living at risk of hunger.

RMHC not only tries to improve the health and well being of children directly through its core programs, but also works with non-profit organizations, like Feeding America, that are making an immediate, positive impact on children who need it most. Feeding America is a network of more than 200 food banks that serve every community in the United States by distributing food and grocery products through more than 61,000 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other emergency feeding centers. Feeding America serves more than 5.7 million Americans each week. In 2009, Feeding America provided assistance to more than 37 million Americans, including 14 million children, an increase of 46 percent in four years.

The $500,000 grant from RMHC will help Feeding America provide meals to children facing hunger through Child Nutrition Programs such as the BackPack Program, Kids Cafe, Afterschool Nutrition Program and School Pantries.

“This generous contribution comes to Feeding America at a time when we are experiencing record-breaking need for our services, especially for children at risk of hunger,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. “We are very grateful to RMHC for recognizing the urgent need to provide our nation’s children.”

Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) will receive $250,000 to help enhance their youth nutrition programs, and increase their focus on nutrition education and programming for children.  NIFB serves 5,000 children daily and 61,600 hungry neighbors every week, through more than 600 agency partners in 13 counties. “The need to help hungry neighbors grows greater every day, so we are grateful to have generous community partners, like RMHC, to aid our neighbors in need,” said Dennis Smith, President and CEO of NIFB.

An additional $200,000 will be distributed as member grants to food banks throughout the Feeding America network.  A “Request for Proposal” (RFP) will be issued, allowing member food banks to request grant funding where it is needed most, in a manner that will provide maximum impact for children struggling with hunger. Areas of greatest need within the network include School Pantries, Kids Cafes and Summer Food Service programs. Individual food banks will receive grants of between $10,000 and $50,000.

Child Hunger was identified as one of eight priorities within Feeding America’s current strategic plan. Feeding America is actively engaged in the process of developing national program models and promoting legislative changes that will move the nation forward in the crusade to end childhood hunger in America. Feeding America’s strategy focuses on: (1) strengthening the quality and efficiency of all child nutrition programs; (2) filling the gaps in food service for millions of low-income children, and (3) offering creative ideas for new and innovative approaches to ending childhood hunger.  

About Feeding America

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

About Northern Illinois Food Bank

Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) is a non-for-profit Corporation that provides food to all those in need through its 665 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, youth activity centers and other food assistance sites in thirteen counties: Boone, DuPage, DeKalb, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will and Winnebago. NIFB handles and distributes donated, government, and purchased food to more than 61,600 different people each week. In FY 2010 NIFB distributed over 35 million pounds of food and was named the 2010 Food Bank of the Year by Feeding America. NIFB is building a new Food Distribution and Community Nutrition Center to enable them to handle more food more efficiently to meet the increasing demand.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Through its global network of local Chapters in 52 countries and regions, its three core programs, the Ronald McDonald House®, Ronald McDonald Family Room® and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, and millions of dollars in grants to support children’s programs worldwide, RMHC provides stability and resources to families so they can get and keep their children healthy and happy. All RMHC-supported programs provide a bridge to quality health care and give children and families the time they need together to heal faster and cope better. For more information, visit www.rmhc.org, follow us on Twitter (@RMHC), or like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/RMHC Global).

SOURCE Feeding America

http://www.feedingamerica.org

RMHC Grants $500,000 to Feeding America | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO, Jan. 10, 2011 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Edelson McGuire LLC has reached a settlement in a class action suit concerning the alleged charity fraud and deceptive practices of WeGiveToGet, LLC.  The lawsuit brought against the deal-a-day website company alleged that the gift certificate provider did not fulfill the minimum monthly donation to charities that it promised to its customers.

The settlement provides that WeGiveToGet, LLC make a $16,000 donation to charities and refrain from participating in similar types of business for five years.  Edelson McGuire waived all attorneys’ fees in representing the putative class.

“We were happy to be able to help some wonderful charities,” said attorney Collin Bond.  ”Charitable organizations have been badly hurt by the economic downturn.  Hopefully, this settlement will lessen the pain and enable several charities to help those in need.”

About Edelson McGuire:  About Edelson McGuire:  Edelson McGuire is a commercial litigation and legal and political consulting firm with attorneys in Illinois, New York, California, and Florida.  The firm’s attorneys have been recognized as leaders in these fields by state and federal legislatures, national and international media groups, the courts and their peers.  They have testified before the United States Senate on class action issues and have repeatedly been asked to work on federal and state legislation and policy issues involving banking, cellular telephony and consumer privacy.  Their class settlements are collectively worth over one billion dollars and have changed the consumer protection policies of numerous industries. More information on the firm can be found at www.edelson.com.

CONTACT:  Becky Radowski, +1-312-572-7219, bradowski@edelson.com

SOURCE Edelson McGuire, LLC

http://www.edelson.com

Charity Fraud Settlement Promises Thousands to Unpaid Charities | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO, Dec. 17, 2010 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Fifth Third Bank (Chicago) today announced that it was recently selected over several other well known financial institutions to provide financing for development of the world’s largest Ronald McDonald House, right here in Chicago at 211 East Grand Avenue.  

(Photo:  http://photos.CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM.com/prnh/20101217/CG19415)

At 14 stories tall, the new House will be a place of care and comfort for families of hospitalized children including 86 guest rooms, a rooftop healing deck and a kitchen filled with home-cooked meals.

A construction draw line of credit, of up to $23 million, convertible to permanent financing, along with the capital campaign of Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (RMHC®-CNI), will provide funds to complete and open the House in 2012.  The successful campaign recently hit the $18 million mark.

“Our decision to choose Fifth Third Bank was based on a great relationship with them over the years,” said Doug Porter, CEO, RMHC-CNI.  Fifth Third Bank has sponsored the RMHC-CNI scholarship program, providing opportunities for high school students to pursue college education.  Bank commercial and retail personnel frequently volunteer to prepare and serve meals to families at the four area homes in Chicago. 

Fifth Third Bank is committed to multiple years of support for the new Ronald McDonald House® which will provide a “home-away-from home” for families of children receiving treatment at the new Lurie Children’s in addition to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Prentice Women’s Hospital and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. 

“This great story is a wonderful example of how Fifth Third Bank works in partnership with clients, to serve families and make neighborhoods better places, while handling their banking and financial needs,” said Laura Shallow, FTCH, Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager of the Public Funds Group.

About Fifth Third  

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Company has $112 billion in assets and operated 16 affiliates with 1,309 full-service Banking Centers, including 101 Bank Mart® locations open seven days a week inside select grocery stores and 2,390 ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia and North Carolina. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending, and Investment Advisors. Fifth Third also has a 49% interest in Fifth Third Processing Solutions, LLC. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of September 30, 2010, had $190 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $26 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® National Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.”

SOURCE Fifth Third Bank (Chicago)

http://www.53.com

Fifth Third Bank Provides Financing for ‘World’s Largest Ronald McDonald House’ | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (Nov. 15, 2010) /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Sears and Kmart are spreading the holiday spirit early by changing the lives of one very special family and two well deserving charities as they announce the grand prize winner of the Shop Your Way Rewards “What Would You Do With One Billion Points?” contest. Todd Benjamin, resident of Lakewood, Colo., was named the winner for the national Sears and Kmart contest and received half of the prize value and the other half will be donated to the Rocky Mountain Rett Association (RMRA) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Benjamin’s video was among the more than 44,000 other video entries submitted to the contest on www.billionpoints.com, answering the question “What Would You Do With One Billion Points?” Benjamin and his family shared a personal story about how they would use their winnings to help find a cure for Rett Syndrome, a debilitating neurological disorder that has affected one of his daughters since birth. The disorder occurs in one child born every five hours, leaving many unable to walk, talk or use their hands.

As the winner, Benjamin will receive half of the prize ($273,870) in Sears and Kmart product value, and the other half of the prize ($273,870) will be split between two charities of his choice, the RMRA and St. Jude. Each charity will receive $136,935 in product value that will be used to purchase essential goods and services to benefit the cause. Benjamin will use the other half ($273,870 in product value) toward helping families in need around the holidays by purchasing items like iPods and helping to fund a Rett’s clinic in the Children’s Hospital of Denver.

“Winning the Shop Your Way Rewards contest has brought so much happiness to my family – just in time for the holidays,” said Todd Benjamin. “Being able to give back to two charities that mean so much to my family is a very emotional and special feeling. We hope that these contributions will help change the lives of many as we all work together to find a cure for disorders like Rett Syndrome.”

The contest, which initially launched in July, was designed to celebrate the first anniversary of the Sears and Kmart Shop Your Way Rewards program that launched in November 2009 and give its more than 26 million members an opportunity to give back to charity in a unique way.

“When we launched Shop Your Way Rewards a little over a year ago, we never imagined the program would make such an impact on people’s lives, said David Friedman, senior vice president and president of marketing for Sears Holdings. “The contest was designed to celebrate our loyal customers and extend the rewards to support the charities that are important to them. We are thrilled with America’s response to the program and the touching stories shared, like the Benjamins, and hope to make the holidays brighter for their family and chosen charities.”

The Shop Your Way Rewards program allows members to earn 10 points or more for every $1 spent on qualifying purchases. Members can use their points to purchase a variety of items on every family member’s holiday list, such as Craftsman tools at Sears, a new cardigan at Lands’ End, home furnishings at The Great Indoors or even pet products at Kmart.

To view the Benjamin Family’s video, visit www.billionpoints.com. Or, for more information about Shop Your Way Rewards, visit www.shopyourwayrewards.com.

About Sears Holdings Corporation

Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation’s fourth largest broadline retailer with approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, consumer electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Sears Holdings is the 2010 ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner of the Year. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands’ End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has the Country Living collection, which is offered by Sears and Kmart. We are the nation’s largest provider of home services, with more than 12 million service calls made annually. Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation. For more information, visit Sears Holdings’ website at http://www.searsholdings.com.

Sears and Kmart Announce Grand Prize Winner and Benefiting Charities of Shop Your Way Rewards Contest | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO, Nov. 12, 2010 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — 1World1Book.com, the new global book club dedicated to bringing readers together worldwide to share in the discovery and discussion of one exceptional book every two months, creating widespread change in the world as a result, and helping charities in the process, has launched.

Membership in 1World1Book.com is free. Every two months, members vote from amongst three new books on the one book they’d like to read and discuss. These book selections are based on input from local book club leaders worldwide, book critics, and a diverse range of prominent individuals. Members receive exclusive insights on each book from the authors and prominent individuals in arts and entertainment, media, business, and beyond, and they also share their own insights in the 1World1Book.com forums.

Every two months, a different charity is also selected. When members order the book through links on 1World1Book.com, 100% of the club’s commissions and also proceeds from the author go to the charity. Members also receive insights about the work of the selected charity to expand their awareness and inspire them to take action through donations, volunteering, and spreading the word to others.

Sean Penn’s Haiti Foundation, J/P HRO, is the featured 1World1Book.com charity for November and December 2010. The featured book for November / December 2010 is “Unfinished Business: One Man’s Extraordinary Year of Trying to Do the Right Things” by Lee Kravitz, who was fired from his job as editor-in-chief of Parade magazine which prompted him to write the book.

According to founder Brian Vaszily, “Exceptional books still have an unparalleled power to strengthen, enlighten, and motivate individuals – and therefore the society they’re a part of – to be and do their best, to thrive despite whatever circumstances they face.

“Unfortunately in today’s information-cluttered world,” Vaszily continues, “most of the exceptional books published today that can truly change lives go unnoticed by those who need them most. My mission with 1World1Book.com is to change that. Person by person, book by book, and with proceeds and attention going to charities, 1World1Book.com is going to make individual lives and this world a better place.”

Everyone who appreciates books is encouraged to join for free now at http://www.1World1Book.com, where they’ll also discover more about the book club, the Sean Penn Haiti Foundation, about founder Brian Vaszily, and about “Unfinished Business.”

SOURCE 1World1Book.com

http://www.1world1book.com

Sean Penn Haiti Foundation to Benefit as the New Global Book Club, 1World1Book.com, Launches | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Twenty Finalists Announced in the Shop Your Way Rewards ‘What Would You Do With One Billion Points Contest?’

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Oct. 12 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — The holidays are a time for sharing and one lucky customer of Sears and Kmart will give multiple charities millions of reasons to celebrate this year.  The grand prize winner of the Sears and Kmart Shop Your Way Rewards “What Would You Do With One Billions Points?” contest will win the final prize, which equates to $547,740 in product value, half of which they will donate to deserving charities. The winning charities will be given the opportunity to use the awarded Shop Your Way Rewards points to purchase items that will help their respective cause, such as thousands of diapers for babies, clothing for the homeless and even new appliances for food kitchens.

When the contest launched earlier this year, the prize pool began at 100 million points and increased 10,000 points for every video submitted. Thousands of Americans expressed their generous nature and their loyalty to Sears and Kmart by submitting an online, 45-second, personal video message answering the question “What Would You Do with One Billion Points?” Videos ranged from wishes of helping educational, diabetes and wildlife charities to personal desires of using the points on everything Sears and Kmart has to offer, including outfitting a home with appliances, electronics, sporting goods, tools, indoor and outdoor home furnishings, jewelry, apparel and footwear for the whole family.

After the submission of more than 44,000 endearing and creative entries, customer votes narrowed down the pool of videos to 20 finalists. Now it is up to America to determine the grand prize winner by voting for their favorite video online at www.billionpoints.com from Oct. 9 through Nov. 3.

“The Shop Your Way Rewards ‘What Would You Do with One Billion Points?’ contest has been a huge success, and we’ve enjoyed learning about our customers’ personal interests and how they would help others through charitable giving,” said David Friedman, senior vice president and president, marketing at Sears Holdings. “Many of the entries were heartfelt and focused more on how our customers would share their winnings with others versus how they would use the points themselves. The charity donation is a key component of the contest and it was wonderful to see this embraced by our customers.”

The contest was designed to celebrate the first anniversary in November of the Shop Your Way Rewards program, which has already acquired more than 23 million participants. In addition, the program is meant to educate customers and members about the value of Shop Your Way Rewards points, and most importantly provides Sears and Kmart customers an opportunity to give back to charity in a big way.

Americans are encouraged to go online and vote for their favorite candidate by visiting www.billionpoints.com. Voting will close at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Nov. 3 and the winner will be announced by mid-November.

Beyond the contest, the Shop Your Way Rewards program has incorporated new improvements since it was introduced last year, so loyal customers can earn more rewards in even more ways and formats. Now, members can earn 10 points for every $1 spent on qualifying goods and services across Sears, Kmart, Lands’ End, mygofer and The Great Indoors – in store and online. And, points can be redeemed on almost everything they buy, from a new winter jacket at Lands’ End, to a car repair at a Sears Auto Center, to home goods at Kmart and more. Plus, the introduction of Extreme Points will accelerate the number and speed at which points can be earned.

For more information about Shop Your Way Rewards, visit www.shopyourwayrewards.com.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.), 18 YEARS AND OLDER who did not purchase any equipment for purposes of entering the Contest. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Enter Contest by: 10/5/10. For Official Rules and prize descriptions, visit billionpoints.com. Sponsor: Sears Holdings Management Corporation, 3333 Beverly Rd., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179.

About Sears Holdings Corporation

Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation’s fourth largest broadline retailer with approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, consumer electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Sears Holdings is the 2010 ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner of the Year. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands’ End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has the Country Living collection, which is offered by Sears and Kmart. We are the nation’s largest provider of home services, with more than 12 million service calls made annually. Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation. For more information, visit Sears Holdings’ website at http://www.searsholdings.com.

SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation

http://www.searsholdings.com

Sears and Kmart Help Loyal Customers Give Charities Millions of Reasons to Celebrate This Holiday Season | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The phone number is supposed to connect callers to Feed the Children, which benefits from sales of the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver’s cereal. But the box has the wrong toll-free prefix, meaning callers get a seductive-sounding woman who makes risque suggestions and then asks for a credit card number.

Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. said Thursday it was pulling all Ochocinco cereal boxes from its grocery shelves because of the error. Some local stores had them on special display after the launch about a month ago.

A message was left Thursday for Pittsburgh-based PBL Sports, which specializes in limited-edition products featuring star athletes and their favorite charities.

Ochocinco told WCPO-TV that the number was clearly a mistake and he’s sure that the maker will fix the problem.

As of Thursday morning, he hadn’t mentioned the error in any of his frequent messages on the Twitter social media site. On Wednesday, he had urged fans to go to his website to order the cereal and “Start your day with a lil suga!!!”

Ochocinco cereal box uses sex-line number | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

2010 Marks 25th Anniversary of the RMHC/HACER Scholarship Program

OAK BROOK, Ill., Aug. 4 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) announced today the selection of four Hispanic high school seniors who will each receive an RMHC/HACER college scholarship of $100,000 to fulfill their college dreams.  The students were selected for their academic achievement, financial need and community service.  

This year’s scholarships were awarded to Ariana J. Chavez, Delano, CA, attending the University of California, Davis; Elan D. Cramer, Los Gatos, CA, attending the University of California, Los Angeles; Stephanie A. Hernandez, Staten Island, NY, attending the University of Pennsylvania; and Jose A. Ramos, Panorama City, CA, attending the University of California, Berkeley.

“The RMHC/HACER National Scholarship was created in 2008 as an extension to the RMHC/HACER Scholarship Program which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year,” said Martin J. Coyne, President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc. “We are especially proud that this year’s group has made such a strong commitment to community service, accounting for more than 2,500 combined hours in projects ranging from hospital volunteer work to tutoring children, and environmental clean-up projects.”

“Through RMHC/HACER, we strive to financially support the education dreams and aspirations of outstanding Hispanic students and RMHC looks forward to continuing our long and standing commitment to education and our future leaders.”

The RMHC/HACER National Scholarships are funded by a donation from McDonald’s.  Overall, the RMHC/HACER Scholarship Program has awarded more than $20 million since its establishment in 1985.  The $100,000 national scholarships were first awarded in 2008. Previous recipients of the RMHC/HACER National Scholarship are currently completing their college education at prestigious universities such as Harvard, M.I.T., and Brown University.

“Thanks to the RMHC/HACER National Scholarship, I will be able to focus on my studies at the University of Pennsylvania without worrying about the financial aspect of my education,” said Stephanie A. Hernandez of Staten Island, NY. “It’s also an honor to join a long line of outstanding students who have received an RMHC/HACER scholarship during its 25 year history.”

The RMHC/HACER Scholarship Program was founded in 1985 by McDonald’s owner/operator Richard Castro of El Paso, with the support of RMHC, McDonald’s Corporation, and local McDonald’s owner/operators throughout the country.  Castro, an educator before becoming a McDonald’s franchisee, established the program after noticing increasing drop-out rates among Hispanic students due to financial difficulties. Today, RMHC/HACER is one of the country’s largest college scholarship programs for graduating Hispanic high school students.

The RMHC/HACER Scholarship Program provides awards ranging from $1,000 to $100,000 per student annually.  RMHC/HACER is a program of Ronald McDonald House Charities and its local Chapters, which provide scholarships in several regions of the country. RMHC/HACER is supported through the efforts of McDonald’s owner/operators, local and national community leaders and individual donors.  Applications for the 2011 scholarship program will be available in November 2010.  For more information on the scholarship, workshop schedules and other education resources, please visit www.rmhc.com and www.MeEncanta.com.

About RMHC®

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Through its global network of local Chapters in 52 countries and regions, its three core programs, the Ronald McDonald House®, Ronald McDonald Family Room® and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, and millions of dollars in grants to support children’s programs worldwide, RMHC provides stability and resources to families so they can get and keep their children healthy and happy. All RMHC-supported programs provide a bridge to quality health care and give children and families the time they need together to heal faster and cope better. For more information, www.rmhc.org.

About McDonald’s®

McDonald’s USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business men and women. Customers can now log online for free at any of the 11,000 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and products.

©2010 McDonald’s

SOURCE RMHC/HACER

http://www.rmhc.comhttp://www.meencanta.comhttp://www.mcdonalds.com

Four $100,000 RMHC®/HACER® Scholarships Awarded to Hispanic Students With Funding From McDonald’s® Owner/Operators | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Benefit concert to raise funds for Cox Charities which provides grants to local youth educational programs

CHESAPEAKE, Va., May 7 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Cox Charities, a charitable giving initiative of Cox Communications, will host its first benefit concert on Saturday, July 17 at 7 p.m. at Chrysler Hall. The concert features R&B artists Brian McKnight and Robin Thicke.

Proceeds from the concert will benefit Cox Charities. Cox Charities provides funding, through a competitive grant process, to organizations which further the academic achievement and development of young people in our local communities.

“Through our 2009 Cox Charities grant process, we were able to fund programs giving more than $85,000 in grants to nine great non-profits. The programs provided by these organizations range from youth mentoring services, to academic services for low-income and at-risk youth, to early childhood education initiatives,” said Gary McCollum, Senior Vice President and General Manager Cox Virginia.

Mr. McCollum added, “This benefit concert will provide support for even more educational programs and will help other groups continue to make a significant difference in the lives of young people.”

The 2010 Cox Charities Benefit Concert also has sponsorship opportunities available. Sponsor levels and associated benefits can be found at www.coxcharities.org. Concert ticket information also can be found at this website.

Finally, on Saturday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to noon, Cox customers who show their Cox bill will get a first opportunity to buy tickets to the show. This “pre-sale” event will be held on the second floor of Greenbrier Mall, in Chesapeake, near the Cox Solutions Kiosk. And while supplies last, all those who buy tickets also will receive a commemorative McKnight and Thicke poster. (On May 14, tickets will be on sale to the general public via www.ticketmaster.com.)

For more information about Cox Charities or the benefit concert event, contact Felicia Blow at 757-222-8432 or felicia.blow@cox.com.

About Cox Charities

Cox Charities awards grants to qualifying organizations which provide educational programs that further the academic achievement and development of young people through science and technology, mentoring, literacy and other areas promoting youth and education.

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a multi-service broadband communications and entertainment company with more than 6.2 million total residential and commercial customers.  The third-largest cable television company in the United States, Cox offers an array of advanced digital video, high-speed Internet and telephony services over its own nationwide IP network, as well as integrated wireless services.  Cox Business is a full-service, facilities-based provider of communications solutions for commercial customers, providing high-speed Internet, voice and long distance services, as well as data and video transport services for small to large-sized businesses.  Cox Media offers national and local cable advertising in traditional spot and new media formats, along with promotional opportunities and production services.  Cox Communications wholly owns and operates the Travel Channel.  More information about the services of Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com, www.coxbusiness.com, and www.coxmedia.com.  In Hampton Roads, Cox has more than 400,000 basic cable subscribers.

SOURCE Cox Communications

http://www.cox.com

Cox Charities Holds Benefit Concert on Sat., July 17 at Chrysler Hall, with Brian McKnight and Robin Thicke Headlining Concert Event | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

LONDON, May 1, 2010 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ –

– With Photos

On Bank Holiday Monday a glorious, colourful herd of “elephants” will
trundle onto the streets of London in an effort to raise GBP2 million toward
the conservation of Asian elephants and UK conservation charities. Nothing to
do with the grey old world of politics – these are elephants, as big as real
life baby elephants, glittering with all the decorative genius that some of
the country’s top artists can supply.

They reflect a different and rather marvelous Britain – all too easily
lost beneath the gloom of the debt cloud and the hurry of everyday life. The
object of the parade is to help raise money for the conservation of Asian
elephants, whose numbers are dwindling even more severely than those of the
African elephant, from 200,000 a century ago to a fifth of that population
now. To raise money, each of the elephants has been sponsored and will be
auctioned.

One of the most popular elephants is likely to be Benjamin Shine’s
contribution – so much so that arrangements have already been made for it to
be covered by a 24-hour guard at its location by the Royal Exchange. Shine, a
young artist, has transformed the template into a glossy black taxi, powered
by a solar cell so that a sign lights up at night and its eyes turn into
headlamps.

Another is a white-coloured elephant beside an enormous bronze flower,
also white, by the sculptor Mark Quinn, one of four elephants generously
sponsored by the Indian private equity investor Cyrus Vandrevala and his
heiress wife, Priya. Quinn recently caused controversy by sculpting a nude of
a thalidomide woman for the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square. Rebecca
Campbell, the wildlife artist, has created an elegant elephant, painted with
flora and fauna such as palm trees and tigers. Rina Banerjee, an Indian
artist working in New York, has plastered her elephant, Argus-like, with
dozens of eyes. Peter Beard, artistic photographer and conservationist, has
created one of the most iconic elephants entitled Mammouth Metaphor.

Also from the subcontinent, twenty-twenty cricket star Lalit Modi has
taken a herd of eight elephants which will be placed around Trafalgar Square.
Elephants will stand guard over restaurants such as Scotts and the Ivy,
thanks to the involvement of restaurateur Richard Caring. One of the most
imaginative projects is sponsored by Rowan and Sunetra Atkinson, decorated by
underprivileged children being helped by the Kids Company, of which Sunetra
is a trustee. Other sponsors have given in kind. Farrow and Ball, for
example, have provided GBP50,000′s worth of paint. Transporting the elephants
to and from studios has fallen to Eco Movers, a young company with a fleet of
12 electric removal vans. These vans will be responsible for taking the
elephants to their sites on which they will be displayed in the course of
Sunday night: the electric vehicles ensuring that this happens in silence.

While elephants have paraded in Holland and cows – 100 of them – in
London before now, this is Britain’s first Elephant Parade. Hearing about the
Dutch parades – the brain child of father and son, Mike and Marc Spits, who
had been moved by encountering a baby elephant in Thailand called Moscha
whose leg had been blown off – Mark Shand immediately seized on the idea for
his charity, the Elephant Family. Brother of the Duchess of Cornwall, Shand
developed a passion for India after leaving Milton Abbey School when he
stopped off in India en route to Australia. In 1988, he received a book
commission to travel across India on an elephant. It was published as My
Travels on an Elephant in 1991. The experience of the 1000km journey awoke
Shand to the Asian elephant’s plight. In 2002 he founded the Elephant Family
to support herds of Asian elephants in the wild.

So go out onto the streets of the metropolis and you will find elephants
in Berkeley Square, Hanover Square, South Audley Street; in Notting Hill, on
the South Bank; in Greenwich Market and around St Paul’s. Each will irradiate
their hard-edged London surroundings with a sense of caprice and joie de
vivre. The strangeness of the habitat emphasises how far that of real Asian
elephants has shrunk. These great animals, which once ranged from China to
Thailand, Indonesia, India and across Syria, are now confined to an area the
size of Spain. If the Elephant Parade fulfils its mission to become “the
world’s largest financial support organisation for elephants,” perhaps the
tragedy of the Asian elephant’s collapse can be reversed.

Note to Editors:

Pictures accompanying this release are available through the PA
Photowire. They can be downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or
viewed at http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM.co.uk.

    Elephant Parade London 2010: 3 May - 4 July
    elephantparadelondon.org
    http://www.elephantfamily.org

    Contact:
    Gabby Wickham
    Quintessentially Communications
    +44(0)7766688890

SOURCE Elephant Family

260 Elephants on Parade in London This Bank Holiday Monday | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Organizers of the 3rd Annual Heart of Glenview are aiming to cure Chicago cabin fever Feb. 1 at the third annual Heart of Glenview.

The fund-raising event will showcase the house specialties of 28 top area restaurants at the Wyndham Glenview Suites here.

Proceeds from the event to be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. will benefit seven local charities.

Since its inception, the Heart of Glenview event has raised more than $185,000.  100% of all ticket sales are donated to the charity, and everything at the event is donated.

A donation of $40 will give attendees access to all of the food and beverage offerings. The hotel has donated its 5,200-square foot Grand Ballroom to set up 28 mini-restaurants with tastings of everything from crab cakes to truffles, sushi to carrot soup.

Additionally, the hotel is donating 10 percent of all room proceeds on behalf of any guest who references the event.

“We all get a little crazed with cabin fever as the winter continues to drag on and the Heart of Glenview event is designed as a great excuse to get out and enjoy some great food and wine for a great cause,” said Maria Rucci-Blazek, Wyndham Hotel director of sales & marketing.

“People can pop over to the event or make a weekend out of it at the hotel, enjoying our indoor swimming pool and oversized suites.  Glenview is a tight-knit community and local resident Chris Krueger has created an event that has become one of the city’s most anticipated annual events.”

Cuisine from 8 different countries will be featured at the event, including Italian, German and French.

A full list of restaurants and dishes may be found at glenviewgivingfoundation.org/events.html.  Complimentary parking also is provided.

In addition to hosting the event, the Wyndham Glenview Suites will provide a 3-foot-high fountain featuring classic Belgian chocolate, as well as special appetizers.

Receiving charities include Clearbrook, Connections for the Homeless, Glenkirk, Northfield Township Food Pantry, Sister Paulanne’s Needy Fund, Wesley Child Care and Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook.

Third annual ‘Heart of Glenview’ aims to cure Chicago cabin fever, aid local charities | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Through partnerships with media outlets, such as the Chicago Tribune, the McCormick Foundation continues Robert R. McCormick’s legacy of service by encouraging local giving, inspiring civic involvement and addressing human needs.

“Literacy empowers people and literally opens worlds of opportunity closed to those who are unable to read,” said David D. Hiller, president and CEO of the McCormick Foundation.

“It is essential to successful, fully engaged lives and a vibrant democracy. Thanks to people’s generosity and the critical in-kind support provided by the Chicago Tribune, the McCormick Foundation can fund quality organizations that help vulnerable individuals develop their knowledge and potential and become active and engaged citizens.”

The 2009 literacy grants will be awarded to agencies providing high-quality services in the following program areas (please note some agencies were awarded more than one grant):

• Adult Literacy: $399,000 to 20 programs supporting the education of functionally illiterate adults; programs include Adult Basic Education (ABE) for English-speakers whose pre-test scores put them below the 9th grade reading level; and English as a Second Language (ESL) for non-English speakers whose pre-test scores place them primarily, but not exclusively at very low English proficiency levels.
• Advocacy / Technical Assistance: $105,000 to three agencies building the capacities of literacy programs, or creating systemic change in the field through public policy advocacy and/or education initiatives.
• Children’s Literacy: $135,000 to 11 in- and after-school programs promoting literacy for students who are at risk of illiteracy or are reading below grade level.
• Family Literacy: $230,000 to nine agencies focusing on building the skills and roles of the parents as their children’s first teachers, by combining literacy instruction for parents and their children. Programs must include five components – adult education, child education, parenting (child development) skills, parent-and-child learning activities, and library services.
• Capacity Building: $11,000 to three agencies for software reading assessment tools to improve student outcome measures.

Reports estimate that 600,000 adults in the Chicago area read below the 9th grade level and/or have low or limited English language proficiency.

Approximately 25 percent of adults in the greater Chicago area do not have a high school diploma, and 66 percent of CPS students cannot read at grade level.

Since 1987, Chicago Tribune Charities has committed more than $12.5 million to nonprofit organizations strengthening literacy in Chicago and the suburbs.

To donate today to Chicago Tribune Charities, go to mccormickfoundation.org/NetCommunity/CTC.

For more information about Chicago Tribune Charities, go to www.mccormickfoundation.org/NetCommunity/CTC/donate.

Below is the complete listing of the 2009 Chicago Tribune Charities literacy grants.

All the organizations are in Chicago unless otherwise noted:

    Adult Literacy
    Adult Basic Education (ABE)
    1.  De La Salle Institute (Chicago)                            $30,000
    For the Adult Literacy programs, providing 135 adults with
     basic literacy classes.
    English as a Second Language (ESL)
    2.  Christopher House                                          $19,000
    For the Adult Literacy program, which provides three levels
     of ESL classes, (beginning, intermediate and advanced), and
     conversational ESL classes, to low income parents. The
     program serves 104 adults.
    3.  Community Help Center                                      $10,000
    For the Adult Literacy program, which provides two levels of
     ESL classes (beginning and intermediate), and basic computer
     training, for 80 low income women.
    4.  Corazon A Corazon                                          $10,000
    For the Adult ESL Literacy program, which provides one-on-
     one tutoring and conversation classes for 49 low income
     students.
    5.  Dominican Literacy Center Aurora (Aurora, Ill.)            $20,000
    For the Adult Literacy program, which provides one-on-one
     ESL instruction and conversation classes to 140 immigrant
     Latinas with low-level English skills.
    6.  Erie Neighborhood House                                    $30,000
    For the Adult Literacy program, providing 494 adults with ESL
     classes
    7.  Korean American Resource and Cultural Center               $15,000
    For the Adult Literacy program, which provides ESL
     instruction and conversation classes to 78 beginning and
     intermediate-level students.
    8.  Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley A Proliteracy America
     Affiliate (St. Charles, Ill.)                                 $15,000
    For the Adult Literacy program, which provides one-on-one
     and small group tutoring for 177 adults with limited
     English-language skills.
    9.  McHenry County College (Crystal Lake, Ill.)                $20,000
    For the adult literacy program, which pair volunteers and ESL
     students in isolated, rural areas. The program serves 956
     adults.
    10.  Northwest Neighborhood Federation                          $5,000
    For the Adult ESL Literacy program, providing four levels of
     ESL classes to recent immigrants. The program serves 211
     adults.
    11.  People's Resource Foundation (Wheaton, Ill.)              $15,000
    For the Adult Literacy Program, which offers multi-level ESL
     classes at 20-30 community sites, and matches 180
     volunteers with learners to provide one-on-one tutoring.
     The program serves 242 adults.
    12.  Poder Learning Center                                     $15,000
    For the Adult ESL program, providing literacy services to low
     income Latinos in Pilsen and Little Village. The program
     serves 792 clients.
    13.  Pui Tak Center                                            $30,000
    For ESL program, which provides six levels of ESL instruction
     for over 1,000 Chinese immigrants who want to improve their
     career opportunities and become more involved in their
     communities.
    ABE & ESL
    14.  Albany Park Community Center, Inc.                        $20,000
    For the Adult Literacy program, which provides small group
     classes and one-on-one tutoring for over 200 Latino and
     Eastern European individuals with low literacy levels.
    15.  Carole Robertson Center for Learning                      $25,000
    For the Adult Literacy program, providing ESL and ABE classes
     to over 106 adults.
    16.  Howard Area Community Center                              $25,000
    For the Adult Education program, offering ABE and ESL for 201
     adults with low proficiency levels.
    17.  Jane Addams Resource Corporation                           15,000
    For the Adult Literacy Program, which provides one-on-one
     tutoring and small group instruction to ESL and ABE
     learners. The program serves 65 adults.
    18.  Literacy Volunteers of America -DuPage, Inc.
     (Naperville, Ill.)                                            $25,000
    For the Adult Literacy program, which provides one-on-one
     ESL and ABE instruction to 167 adult learners at 140
     locations throughout DuPage County, including libraries,
     coffee shops, and students' homes.
    19.  Morton College (Cicero, Ill.)                             $35,000
    For the Adult Literacy program, providing ESL and ABE classes
     to 1,958 students.
    20.  Township High School District 214 Community Education
     Foundation (Arlington Heights, Ill.)                          $20,000
    For the Adult Literacy program, providing 342 adults with ABE
     and ESL tutoring.
    Total                                                         $399,000

    Advocacy / Technical Assistance
    21.  Chicago Public Library Foundation                         $35,000
    For Chicago Reads Together, an early reading program which
     builds these skills for children ages 0-9, through staff
     training and parent awareness. In FY09, 125 library staff
     received training and conducted workshops, for 3,000 parents
     at 79 branch sites.
    22.  Literacy Works                                            $40,000
    For the Adult Volunteer Tutor Training program, which, in
     FY09, trained 834 adults at 50 agencies who tutored more
     than 9,500 adult learners in ABE and ESL programs. The
     agency is the city's largest provider of adult tutor
     training.
    23.  Reading in Motion                                         $30,000
    For the Benchmarks Reading program, which teaches CPS
     teachers to use drama and music to engage students in
     reading activities. Rebecca Brubaker, VP of Operations for
     Chicago Tribune, serves on the agency's board.
    Total                                                         $105,000

    Children's Literacy
    24.  Association House of Chicago                              $10,000
    For the Out of School Time English Language Arts program,
     providing reading and literacy instruction to children ages
     6-12.
    25.  Cabrini-Green Tutoring Program, Inc                        $5,000
    For the After School Tutoring program, which offers one-on-
     one tutoring for 240 low income 1st-through-6th grade
     students, from Cabrini Green and surrounding neighborhoods.
    26.  Centro Romero                                             $10,000
    For the After School program, which provides academic
     support, literacy instruction, and individual tutoring to 42
     students, ages 7 to 16. A reading specialist trains the
     tutors and works with each student individually for two
     hours a day.
    27.  Chicago Lights                                            $10,000
    For the Tutoring Program's Literacy Initiative, which
     provides one-on-one, after-school tutoring and literacy
     instruction for low income students. In FY09, the program
     served 208 1st-through-6th grade students.
    28.  Chicago Youth Programs, Inc.                              $20,000
    For the Path to Reading Literacy program, which pairs
     volunteers and parents to teach reading skills to young
     children.  The grant is restricted to children in
     kindergarten through first grade. Last year the program
     served 74 children in this age group.
    29.  Children's Home & Aid Society of Illinois                 $20,000
    For the After School and Summer Reading program, which offers
     literacy and other services to 3rd-to-6th graders from
     under-resourced schools. In FY09, the program served 188
     students, from seven schools on academic probation.
    30.  El Valor Corporation                                      $20,000
    For the STARS Reading program, which provides intensive
     after-school tutoring in reading, using individualized
     plans and computer-based materials. In FY09, the program
     served 51 students at two sites in Pilsen and South Chicago.
    31.  Erie Neighborhood House                                   $10,000
    For the Partners in Reading program, providing after-school
     literacy services to 37 children.
    32.  Family Matters, Inc.                                       $5,000
    For the Evening Tutoring and IREAD programs, providing
     literacy instruction and activities for 1st-through-8th
     grade students with low reading scores. The program served
     35 students in FY09.
    33.  Glen Ellyn Community Resource Center (Glen Ellyn, Ill.)   $10,000
    For the After School and Summer Literacy program, which
     provides tutoring and academic instruction for primarily
     African and Southeast Asian refugee students, ages 6 to 14,
     who are at risk for school failure. In FY09, the program
     served 127 students.
    34.  Howard Area Community Center                              $15,000
    For the After-School Literacy program, offering a structured
     curriculum for 82 children.
    Total                                                         $135,000

    Family Literacy
    ESL
    35.  Asian Human Services of Chicago, Inc.                     $30,000
    For Literacy Education for Adults and Families (LEAF)
     program, providing family literacy services, including early
     childhood education, after-school programs and adult
     education.  The program serves 72 families.
    36.  Chinese Mutual Aid Association                            $10,000
    For the Family Literacy Club program, which provides literacy
     activities to Chinese and Vietnamese immigrant families.
     Last year, the program served 37 families.
    37.  Hull House Association                                    $30,000
    For the Family Literacy program, which offers ESL
     instruction, parent literacy education classes, and parent-
     child literacy activities, to 57 families.
    38.  Latin Center - Universidad Popular                        $20,000
    For the Family Literacy program, which provides ESL classes,
     parent and child activities, weekly library visits, computer
     literacy software, conversation classes and child
     development workshops, to 48 families with children, ages 2
     to 5.
    39.  Township High School District 214 Community Education
     Foundation (Arlington Heights, Ill.)                          $35,000
    For the Family Literacy program, providing 126 families with
     ESL instruction, childhood education, parenting classes, and
     parent/child interaction groups.
    40.  World Relief Corporation of National Association of
     Evangelicals (Wheaton, Ill.)                                  $25,000
    For the Family Literacy program, providing ESL instruction
     and parenting education to adult refugees and immigrants,
     educational services to children, as well as family-
     oriented reading activities, and weekly library visits for
     51 families.
    ABE & ESL
    41.  Carole Robertson Center for Learning                      $20,000
    For the Family Literacy Development program, providing
     literacy activities to 21 families.
    42.  De La Salle Institute                                     $35,000
    For the Family Literacy program, providing 106 families with
     literacy activities, parenting instruction, and supportive
     services.
    43.  Institute for Latino Progress (Instituto del Progreso
     Latino)                                                       $25,000
    For the Family Literacy program, serving predominantly low
     income Latino families through activities for both parents
     and children. Last year, the program served 51 families.
    Total                                                         $230,000

    Capacity Building
    44.  Centro Romero                                               $4,300
     For Let's Go Learn, an online diagnostic assessment tool
      offering a broad range of measurements for literacy students
      with below-grade-level reading scores. The tool's
      assessments help customize each student's learning plans.
    45.  Family Matters, Inc.                                        $3,300
    For the Scholastic Reading Inventory Assessment Tool, a
     comprehensive software program that measures reading
     comprehension at a faster rate than the agency's current
     testing tools. This will allow the testing of more students
     in the after school program.
    46.  Howard Area Community Center                                $3,400
    For the BEST Plus Diagnostic Assessment Test, which provides
     a more timely and accurate oral measurement of literacy
     gains for learners at all proficiency levels. The grant
     includes 15 online licenses for the Rosetta Stone language
     software program.
    Total                                                           $11,000

    2009 LITERACY GRANTS GRAND TOTAL                               $880,000

About the McCormick Foundation and Chicago Tribune Charities

The McCormick Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening our free, democratic society by investing in our children, communities and country.

It was established as a charitable trust in 1955, upon the death of Col. Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune, who believed that philanthropy and service to others strengthens the civic health of our communities.

The Foundation is one of the nation’s largest charities, with more than $1 billion in assets.

The McCormick Foundation continues McCormick’s legacy by partnering with media outlets, such as the Chicago Tribune, and sports teams across the country to encourage local giving, inspire civic involvement and address human needs.

Through this unique partnership, Chicago Tribune and the McCormick Foundation raise and distribute funds across Chicagoland through Chicago Tribune Charities.

All donations are matched by the McCormick Foundation at 50 cents on the dollar, increasing the impact of the gift. The Foundation and Chicago Tribune pay all campaign and administrative costs, ensuring 100 percent of all donations, plus the match, is granted to local nonprofit agencies with programs that support disadvantaged people in the community.

To learn more about the McCormick Foundation visit McCormickFoundation.org.

McCormick Foundation Grants Nearly $1 Million for Citywide Literacy Programs Through Chicago Tribune Charities | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Fans can visit whitesox.com/donate and contribute funds directly to the White Sox philanthropic arm, which supports hundreds of Chicago-based organizations.

Through White Sox Charities, along with the team’s year-round community relations efforts, the White Sox work to improve the quality of life for Chicagoans of all ages, races and genders.

With the generous support of White Sox fans, friends and corporate partners, White Sox Charities has donated more than $16.5 million to Chicagoland organizations since its inception in 1990.

Chicago White Sox Charities offers support to organizations leading the fight against cancer, dedicated to improving the lives of youth through education and athletics, and those offering support to children and families in crisis.

Donors can direct their on-line donations to specific initiatives.

For more information on the White Sox charitable and community initiatives, or to make a donation to White Sox Charities, fans should visit whitesox.com/community or whitesox.com/donate.

White Sox Launch Charities Donation Web Site; Fans Can Now Donate Online Directly to Chicago White Sox Charities | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The contribution will be matched by USAID and the $40,000 total will support the expansion of a surgical recovery room in Santiago, Dominican Republic and additional educational initiatives with details to be announced at a later date.

Representatives from Chicago Cubs Charities and MLB-DDA along with Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Juan Marichal, Sean Marshall, Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Marmol participated in a ceremony today at the Cubs Dominican Academy in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic to announce the contribution.

“Chicago Cubs Charities is proud to support the Major League Baseball Dominican Development Alliance to help in its work to improve the lives of children and families in the Dominican Republic,” said Mike Lufrano, senior vice president of community affairs.

The donation was made in connection with funds raised at the Second Annual Rooters Ball which took place at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse on September 2.

Geovany Soto hosted the ball and was joined by West Side Rooters’ Chairman Ernie Banks and several players, including Derrek Lee, Carlos Marmol, Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez and Randy Wells.

The original West Side Rooters Social Club, with Cubs shortshop Joe Tinker as Chairman, was the first official fan club of the Chicago Cubs.

The MLB-DDA was founded in November of 2008 to tap the potential combined resources of baseball (teams, players, fans, corporate sponsors) in community outreach programs in the Dominican Republic, a country which currently produces more than 20 percent of all signed MLB players.

USAID provides financial support through a matching grant incentive fund. MLB provides office and staff support and six community development organizations (Esperanza, Plan, World Vision, Save the Children, IDDI, and Batey Relief Alliance) provide technical assistance and project management.

Cubs Charities Donates $20,000 to Dominican Republic Community Efforts | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Chicago Blackhawk Charities, whose support for Dreams for Kids dates back to 2002, will work with the grantee throughout their 20th anniversary celebration year and beyond. The Chicago Blackhawks will be incorporated into a special Dreams for Kids 20th anniversary logo that was revealed on Sept. 15. The partnership will allow both organizations to emphasize and leverage their global outreach to children in need.

“This historic partnership will bring a generation of kids from the sidelines of life empowering them to realize their dreams,” said Tom Tuohy, President and Founder of Dreams for Kids.

Dreams for Kids, a worldwide, volunteer-driven children’s charity founded and based in Chicago, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Through various initiatives from global awareness workshops to adaptive sporting events, Dreams for Kids unites children of every ability, race, religion, and socio-economic background and inspires them to realize their full potential.

Tuesday’s event, emceed by Blackhawks radio broadcaster John Wiedeman, featured a speech by team Chairman Rocky Wirtz as well as appearances by Blackhawks Kris Versteeg and Troy Brouwer and members of the front office.

“Dreams for Kids presented Chicago Blackhawk Charities with tangible program opportunities that met with our mission and created platforms that would allow us to impact the lives of children throughout Chicago,” said Blackhawks Senior Director of Market Development & Community Affairs Pete Hassen. “We salute Dreams for Kids on their 20th Anniversary Celebration and look forward to partnering with them for many years to come.”

Since its inception in 1993, Chicago Blackhawk Charities has granted over $8 million for local programs and institutions that seek to create a better tomorrow for the youth of today. CBC believes in a series of fundamental principles that collectively serve to support local citizens and better the lives of young people in and around the city of Chicago.

Chicago Blackhawk Charities Announce Partnership With Chicago-based “Dreams For Kids” Children’s Charity | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

“The downtown course and timing of the event have made the Chicago race one of the most anticipated Rock ‘n’ Roll events across the series,” said Elizabeth O’Brien, General Manager of the event. “The local community has always welcomed the half-marathon with open arms and we are excited become a part of the tradition of the Distance Classic and show Chicago how fun a Rock ‘n’ Roll event can be.”

The field will be led by American distance star Kara Goucher, who will be making her half marathon debut on U.S. soil. The race will be webcast on competitor.com with live commentary provided by former U.S. track Olympians Todd Williams and Juli Henner Benson.

Goucher will use the race is a tuneup for the Marathon World Championships Aug. 23 in Berlin. The U.S. Olympian is also throwing out a ceremonial first pitch before Saturday’s nationally televised White Sox-Yankee game at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.

The race will begin at 6:30 am on Sunday morning on Columbus Drive, just north of Congress. Both the start and finish line parties will take place in Grant Park, centrally located adjacent to the city’s downtown core. The course will run north on Columbus, through Millennium Park and over the Chicago River before venturing through the streets of downtown Chicago. The course then heads south on Michigan Avenue to Lake Shore Drive, running east on 18th Street through McCormick place. Just after mile 8.5, the course turns north up the lake front path, running along the waterfront banks of Lake Michigan, highlighted by Solider Felid, the Memorial and Burnham Harbor, with the finish line located in Grant Park.

The event concludes with a post race party and concert, which will take place on an outdoor stage in Grant Park, featuring acclaimed blues artist Susan Tedeschi. The concert is free and open to the public.

Race weekend kicks off Friday, July 31 with a free two-day Health & Fitness Expo at McCormick Place Hall C, which is open to the public. The Expo, where all participants pick up their bib number, t-shirt and race packet, will feature over 100 exhibitors with samples, the latest in running gear and sports apparel and a full schedule of interactive clinics.

From professional runners to part-time joggers, over 3,000 participants will raise over $3 million for the event’s 35 official charities. Give Your Sole will also be collecting moderately worn athletic shoes throughout race weekend. All the shoes donated to Give Your Sole at this event will be distributed locally through the MorningStar Rescue Mission in Joliet.

Runners can donate a pair of shoes right off their feet after the race and receive a free pair of flip flops for the donation. For more information, visit giveyoursole.com.

About The Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago

Entering its first year as one of Chicago’s premiere running events, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon has sold out with 18,000 registered runners. The half-marathon offers a fast, flat scenic course that starts in downtown Chicago and runs along the lakefront with the finish at Grant Park. Live bands and several cheer sections will be staged approximately every mile along the 13.1-mile course. The race concludes with a finish line concert featuring Susan Tedeschi, a Grammy nominated blues and jazz artist, which is free and open to the public.

For more information about the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago, visit runrocknroll.com or call 800-311-1255.

About The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series

Produced by The Competitor Group, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series is known for lining race routes with live bands, cheerleaders and themed water stations. The original Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego is still recognized for its record setting inaugural event that brought 15,771 participants across the finish line. Today, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series has spread to eleven cities nationwide, creating the first national series of marathons and half-marathons, which annually attract more than 250,000 participants.

Event weekend kicks off with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo, where all participants must pick up their bib number and race packet. Over 100 exhibitors feature free samples, the latest in running gear and sports apparel and interactive clinics. For more information, please visit RunRocknRoll.com.

Inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon to Debut Sunday, Over 3,000 Runners From 35 Partner Charities to Raise Over $3 Million | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.