Scholastic, Clear Channel to Host Radiothon to Benefit New Orleans-Area Schools
9/9/2009 12:00:00 AM
Two-Day Radio Fundraiser Will Emphasize the Importance of Reading, Help Put Books in the Hands of Local Students
NEW ORLEANS, La. (Sept. 3, 2009) – Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, and Clear Channel Radio today announced a two-day “NOLA READ AND RISE® Radiothon” on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 10 -11, to promote literacy and encourage listeners to make donations so that 10,000 New Orleans area students can purchase their own book during upcoming special Scholastic Read and Rise Book Fairs.
The NOLA Read and Rise Radio-thon is part of an ongoing partnership between Scholastic Book Fairs and Clear Channel Radio to help students in underserved schools in the New Orleans area. The Radio-thon will air on Q93 (93.3 FM), 98.5 WYLD, AM 940, and Gospel 1280.
“Scholastic Book Fairs’ mission is to help all schools inspire a lifelong love for reading in all children,” says Dillon Kalkhurst, director of specialty programs and business development for Scholastic Book Fairs. “The Read and Rise™ Scholastic Book Fair is designed to meet the needs and challenges of underserved schools and ensure that every student has the opportunity to choose and own their own books.”
Through the Read and Rise program, organizations and individuals can help put books in the hands of kids by sponsoring a school or making a donation. During the Read and Rise Book Fair, students will receive a $5 reading certificate that they can use to purchase a book of their choosing.
"Studies show that when children are able to choose the books they want to read for fun, they are more likely to become lifelong readers and learners,” says Kalkhurst. “That’s the power of the Scholastic Book Fair…letting kids choose their own books.”
The two-day radio fundraiser will feature on-air interviews with local business owners, principals, educators, and the superintendent of the Recovery School District, who will talk about the importance of reading in their lives and careers.
Radio personalities from all three stations will be promoting the efforts on-air both days from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Read and Rise champions from each station, Loretta Petite, Adrian Long, and “Uptown” Angela will also read to students at local schools as part of the Scholastic Book Fair. Radio-thon phone banks will be open on September 10 and 11 until 7 p.m., each day and pledges and donations may be placed by calling (504) 240-5181. Online donations can be made at www.nolaRadiothon.com through Sunday, September 13.
"We recognize that, unfortunately, many students across New Orleans can’t afford to own their own books," said Mike Kramer, Director of Operations for Clear Channel – New Orleans. “Through the generosity of local businesses and organizations, many more students will have access to a wide selection of exciting, affordable books, so they learn to read, love to read, and are successful in life.”
More than a dozen area businesses have already contributed to the fundraising effort, helping to provide more than 8,000 students at New Orleans schools with $5 reading certificates, which students can use to purchase books during their Scholastic Read and Rise Book Fair. The Book Fairs will be held during the weeks of Sept. 7 and Sept. 14.
The local sponsors include:
Abide Home Care Services, Inc.
Audubon Nature Institute
Brad Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation
Clear Channel Radio
Columbia Residential
Copeland & Company
Daughters Of Charity Services of New Orleans
Dr. Jean-Farere Dyer, M.D.
Finance Authority of New Orleans
Justice for All Law Center
Lamarque Ford
Liberty Bank and Trust
Logo Express Uniforms
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Mattix Cabinet Works
Monsanto Company - Agricultural Sector
New Orleans Demolition Services Homebuilders
New Orleans Regional Transit Authority
Roubion Construction Company, Inc.
South Louisiana Home Health Care
Urban League of Greater New Orleans
Youth Rescue Initiative
About Clear Channel Radio
Clear Channel Radio is a leading broadcaster serving more than 110 million listeners in communities across the U.S. The company's broadcasts can be heard on AM/FM stations, HD digital radio channels, the Internet, iPods and cell phones, and via navigation systems from BMW, Volvo, TomTom, Garmin and others. The company's operations include radio broadcasting, syndication and independent media representation. Clear Channel Radio is a division of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (OTCBB:CCMO), a leading global media and entertainment company. More information on the company can be found at www.clearchannel.com.
About Read and Rise
Scholastic launched Read and Rise in 2001 to empower families and communities to support children’s early literacy and reading development. A key element of the program – Read and Rise Book Fairs – provides students with a wide selection of popular books at affordable prices, with most books priced below $5. Through the program, school districts and similar lead organizations team with local partners to meet specific literary needs in that community. Participating organizations receive free training curricula, guides, and other resources designed to create an environment that inspires and sustains literacy.
For more information on Read and Rise Scholastic Book Fairs visit
www.scholastic.com/bookfairs/readandrise.
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology and children's media. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs and school-based book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, television networks and the Company’s Internet Site, www.scholastic.com.
CONTACT:
Teryl McLane, 407-829-8282 or tmclane@scholasticbookfairs.com
Tyler Reed, 212-343-6427 or treed@scholastic.com
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