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Clark CARES Continues Support of The Reading Connection

Second Annual Book Drive Benefits Local Charity
August 19, 2008

ARLINGTON, Va. — Clark CARES recently concluded its second annual book drive for The Reading Connection (TRC), a local non-profit organization striving to increase literacy among homeless children in the Washington, DC area. Clark CARES, a public charity that provides grants to deserving non-profit organizations, facilitated Clark Realty Capital and Clark Builders Group employee's efforts to donate over 250 books to the charity.

Clark CARES Continues Support of The Reading Connection Press Release Image

Clark CARES Continues Support of The Reading Connection

"Clark CARES is thrilled to once again support the efforts of The Reading Connection. Empowering children in housing crisis through education and a love of reading is a pledge that we are proud to support," said Christina DeGroote of Clark CARES.

The Reading Connection, founded by the Arlington County Educators in 1989, coordinates literacy programs among fourteen homeless shelters in the local area. The organization seeks to increase literacy among at-risk children through volunteer read-alouds, donations, parent workshops, and training programs. The program reaches over 2,500 children per year, inspiring them to read from an early age.

"On behalf of The Reading Connection, I am honored that the employees of Clark have chosen to continue their partnership with our organization," said Courtney Kissell, executive director of The Reading Connection. "It is exciting to witness the support that Clark CARES has been able to lend to The Reading Connection this year. Such a generous donation will go a long way toward increasing childhood literacy and benefitting the community as a whole."

After Clark's six-week-long drive, TRC plans to distribute the donated books among sponsored homeless shelters and transitional housing sites. The Reading Connection uses these brand-new books for its read-aloud programs and to maintain small libraries at shelters where children can continue to enjoy them.

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About The Clark CARES Foundation

The Clark CARES Foundation is a recently formed Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) public charity committed to improving local, national, and global communities through its charitable contributions program. The Clark CARES Foundation provides grants to deserving organizations in an effort to promote five main pillars of support: Community - Bringing individuals together to build a stronger society; Advocacy - Raising awareness as inspiration for action; Responsibility - Fostering a culture of accountability; Education - Empowering others to improve the world around them; and Service - Committing resources to set values into motion. For more information, please contact Christina DeGroote at christina.degroote@clarkrealty.com.

About The Reading Connection

Founded by Arlington County Educators in 1989, The Reading Connection currently operates programs in 14 shelters in the Washington D.C. metro area, serving more than 2,500 children a year; about half of them under age five. TRC has more than 200 active volunteers, and has been recognized for outstanding volunteer achievement with a Presidential Citation from the Points of Light Foundation and the Virginia Governor's Award for Volunteer Excellence. TRC is a participant in the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign; its designation number is 8459. For more information, visit www.thereadingconnection.org.