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Clark Realty Holds Book Drive for The Reading Connection

Company Gives over $2,000 Worth of Children's Books to Charity
March 23, 2007

BETHESDA, Md. — Clark Realty today culminated its Mid-Atlantic book drive for The Reading Connection (TRC), an Arlington, Va.-based, non-profit organization, with the presentation of new books donated by employees and an additional $2,000 to purchase new books for distribution to homeless children in the DC Metro area. During the eight-week-long book drive, employees from all of Clark Realty's Mid-Atlantic offices donated dozens of books, written in both English and Spanish, for children up to the age of twelve.

Clark Realty Holds Book Drive for The Reading Connection Press Release Image

Clark Realty Holds Book Drive for The Reading Connection

"We are thrilled at the response of our employees to this worthwhile cause," said Tom White, senior vice president of Clark Realty Builders. "We hope The Reading Connection will use these funds to continue with its great work of promoting literacy to homeless children in the area."

The Reading Connection, founded by the Arlington County Educators in 1989, coordinates literacy programs in thirteen shelters in the Washington, DC area. Through read-aloud programs, parent workshops, and book donations, the organization strives to increase literacy among homeless children and bridge the educational gap these children often face. Over 200 volunteers go into homeless shelters once a month to read to these children and encourage a love of learning. This program reaches over 2,500 children per year, inspiring children to read for fun from an early age.

"The Reading Connection greatly appreciates the charitable support of Clark Realty," said Courtney Kissell, executive director of The Reading Connection. "With this donation, TRC is able to work towards our mission of bringing books and a lifelong love of reading to children in housing crisis throughout the Washington, DC area. With the support of Clark Realty and other community partners, The Reading Connection is able to distribute over 7,500 new books a year. We hope to continue this partnership with Clark Realty, as it powerfully impacts the families in our programs."

Clark Realty also encouraged employees' families to participate in the book drive. Decker Ward, the son of Paul Ward, a Clark Realty Builders employee, donated his entire month allowance to buy books for children who are his same age.

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About Clark Realty

The Clark Realty organization is a fully integrated national real estate and construction company offering a broad base of services including development, capital markets, construction, investment management, property management, and real estate strategies. Founded in 1906, the Clark organization has become one of the country's premier real estate companies and the largest privately held general building contractor in the nation. Clark is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., with regional offices strategically located throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.clarkrealty.com.

About The Reading Connection

Founded by Arlington County Educators in 1989, The Reading Connection (www.thereadingconnection.org) currently operates programs in 13 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 form 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.