ROTARY CLUB OF MCLEAN, VA
WEB:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:Kathy Martin
703-538-3065
DATE: Oct 2, 2007
McLean Rotary and Provident Bank Partner to Promote Literacy
The Rotary Club of McLean and reading specialists from Fairfax County Public Schools, with the financial underwriting support of Provident Bank, have created a cooperative partnership to help students learn to read. Timber Lane Elementary School was chosen for the pilot program. The plan calls for volunteer Rotarians to provide age appropriate books four times during the school year for more than 150 children in kindergarten and first grade. Rotarians will visit the classrooms and read the books to the students. As a bonus, the kids get to keep the books and take them home to read over and over again. The project also will provide funds for books, to be used in the classroom first, and then taken home to be kept and treasured. Additionally, a program will be offered to parents for whom English is not their native language, who may want to improve their own literacy skills while helping their children become better readers.
“The objective,” stated McLean Rotary President, Scott Mills, “is to get the children excited about reading and to develop a life-long love of reading. Taking the books home will give them a sense of ownership and pride in their accomplishments.”
The Rotary Club of McLean approached Provident Bank with the request that the bank become the Project Underwriting Partner for this literacy initiative. Provident Bank approved a grant of $4,500 to help fund this community literacy project. The bank also will provide volunteers to assist in reading to the children who will benefit from this project. Mills said, “Without the generous assistance of Provident Bank, we would not have been able to meet all of the goals of this project. It’s great to see corporations and Rotary Clubs working together to give back to their communities. Everyone benefits, especially the children.”
Hugh Newton, Provident Bank Regional President of Greater Washington, said, "Provident Bank has a proud history of partnering with our communities, especially in the areas of education and financial literacy. We are proud to support the McLean Rotary Club Literacy Program with not only needed resources but with dedicated volunteers from our Provident Volunteer Corps. Our story of community involvement dates back 120 years and has become 'The Provident Way.'”
Provident Bankshares Corporation is the holding company for Provident Bank, the largest independent commercial bank headquartered in Maryland. With $6.3 billion in assets, Provident serves individuals and businesses in the key metropolitan areas of Baltimore, Washington and Richmond through a current branch network of 142 offices in Maryland, Virginia and southern York County, Pennsylvania. Provident Bank also offers related financial services through wholly owned subsidiaries. Securities brokerage, investment management and related insurance services are available through Provident Investment Center and leases through Court Square Leasing. Visit Provident on the web at
Rotary International and the 30,000 Rotary clubs located in over 160 countries are dedicated to achieving peace through international goodwill and understanding. To this end, Rotary has set a goal of promoting literacy throughout the world. While Rotary International channels millions of dollars into educational scholarships, lending libraries, international mediation studies, group study exchanges, and a score of other programs, each independent club also is charged with creating programs to support the goal of world literacy.
The Rotary Club of McLean meets weekly on Tuesdays at Noon at the Fellowship Hall of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 1545 Chain Bridge Road in McLean. Civic minded business and professional leaders with an interest in serving their community are always welcome guests at the meetings.