Published:
Kensington Elementary School Library Receives "Big" Boost in Books and Computers from Comcast Corporation
PHILADELPHIA - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Students and faculty at Fairhill Elementary School in the
Kensington section of Philadelphia were treated to a "big" surprise
today as Comcast Corporation donated over 1,600 books, four new
computers and a laser printer to the school's library. The announcement
was made at a school ceremony featuring representatives from Comcast,
Fairhill School students and faculty, Big Brothers Big Sisters
Southeastern Pennsylvania (BBBS SEPA), and leadership from the School
District of Philadelphia.
Comcast employees who serve as "Bigs" discovered a barren school library
while visiting their "Littles" at Fairhill Elementary as part of the
Comcast - Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA "John Alchin
Beyond School WallsSM" program. Fairhill
Elementary is a Comcast partner school where 45 Comcast "Bigs" mentor
student "Littles" in 4th and 5th grades as part of
a special workplace mentoring program overseen by BBBS SEPA.
In support of Mayor Michael A. Nutter's call to action to "help wherever
possible" and as an extension of the support Comcast provides to the
"Beyond School WallsSM" Program, Comcast employees mobilized
a book drive at Comcast's corporate headquarters to collect books for
the students of Fairhill Elementary. To match the efforts of its
employees, Comcast donated new computer equipment to the school's
library as a part of the company's community investment goal of creating
and supporting opportunities for children and youth through literacy and
digital education.
"Comcast is overjoyed to donate these books and computers to Fairhill
Elementary School for their school library and technology center," said
Charisse Lillie, Vice President, Community Investment & Executive Vice
President of the Comcast Foundation. "Literacy and digital literacy are
foundational to enriching the educational experience, and we're happy to
work with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Fairhill Elementary School to
provide this opportunity to its students, who we consider to be our
students."
The Big Brothers Big Sisters "Beyond School WallsSM" program
allows companies like Comcast to give back to the community by hosting
children from a nearby school at their corporate office. Through the
program, children meet in the workplace with employee volunteers two to
four times per month during the school day for about one hour. While on
site, Bigs mentor their Littles, play games with them, do arts and
crafts, tour the office or talk about school.
Marlene Olshan, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA, said:
"Today is a great day for the children at Fairhill, and these books are
just a start. With this contribution from Comcast, we all take one more
step in the direction of a more qualified workforce, decreases in crime
and violence, and more high school and college graduates."
Comcast's contribution and the support Fairhill Elementary School
receives from Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA have had a major
impact on its students and their future.
"We are so grateful for the generosity of Comcast, who donated books and
computers to our library," said Ms. Garcia-Soler, Principal, Fairhill
Elementary School. "Literacy and digital education are critical to a
student's education, and by Comcast investing in our library, we will be
able to enhance and support the students' learning experience. This is
truly a dream come true for us here at Fairhill Elementary School."
EDITOR'S NOTE - Event photos available upon request.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com)
is one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information
and communication products and services. With 23.9 million cable
customers, 15.3 million high-speed Internet customers, and 7.0 million
Comcast Digital Voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the
development, management and operation of cable systems and in the
delivery of programming content.
Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment
Television, Style Network, Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV
One, ten sports networks operated by Comcast Sports Group and Comcast
Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast's Internet
businesses, including Comcast.net (www.comcast.net).
Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major
holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the
Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas
in Philadelphia.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA
Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA enriches, encourages and
empowers children to reach their highest potential through safe,
one-to-one mentoring relationships. Your donations help to support the
children and volunteers in our program. Volunteering as a Big Brother or
Big Sister is about making a measurable difference in a child's life by
sharing new perspectives and experiences; in Chester, Delaware,
Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, over 4300 children annually are
more successful socially and academically because of the work of Big
Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA. Learn more at 215.790.9200 or
bbbssepa.org.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6091901&lang=en
Sage Communications for BBBS SEPA
Barbara Beck, 610-246-9167
bbeck@sage-communications.com
or
Ceisler
Jubelirer (for Comcast)
Kirk Dorn, 215-735-6760
kirk@cj-llc.com
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Daily News
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