RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty-five schools and nonprofit organizations throughout Virginia received more than 2,000 free children's books through the Verizon Foundation's recent Season's Readings campaign.

Verizon employees at hundreds of company locations - including 23 in Virginia - participated in the company's 2009 Season's Readings campaign by donating new or gently used children's books.

This past year, the public was invited to take part in the campaign by making an online donation to First Book, a nonprofit organization providing new books to children in need through schools, libraries and other community organizations across the country. Random House Children's Books also participated by matching contributions made online, adding more than 15,000 books to the campaign total.


    The schools and nonprofits receiving books in Virginia are:

    Hoffman-Boston Elementary School, Arlington
    Crestwood Intermediate School, Chesapeake
    Chalkley Elementary School, Chesterfield
    Dwelling Place Christian Fellowship, Christiansburg
    Dumfries Elementary School
    Timber Lane Elementary School, Falls Church
    Parkside Elementary School, Fredericksburg
    Ressie Jeffries Elementary School, Front Royal
    Byrd Elementary School, Goochland
    Hilliard House, Henrico
    Highland Springs Elementary School, Highland Springs
    Cougar Elementary School, Manassas Park
    St. Paul Pentecostal Holiness, Max Meadows
    Boys & Girls Club of the Virginia Peninsula, Newport News
    Critzer Elementary School, Pulaski
    Dogwood Elementary School, Reston
    Reams Elementary School, Richmond
    William Byrd Community House, Richmond
    YWCA Shelter, Richmond
    Flagler House (St. Joseph's Villa), Richmond
    Boys & Girls Club, Richmond
    TAPS, Roanoke
    Honeytree Early Learning Center, Roanoke
    Lawson-Marriott Elementary School, St. Stephens Church
    Walnut Street Head Start, Warsaw

"Studies have shown that one of the most successful methods to improving reading achievement is to ensure that children have easy access to age-appropriate reading material," said Robert Woltz Jr., president of Verizon Virginia. "I applaud the efforts of our employees, our partners and everyone who participated in the Season's Readings campaign to help get books into the hands of children and help them become lifelong learners."

Season's Readings began in 2001 as a Verizon employees' campaign to advance the cause of children's literacy. Since then, more than 2 million children's books have been donated to children across the country.

Kyle Zimmer, First Book president and CEO, said, "We applaud the employees of Verizon for their commitment to literacy. Thanks to their generous support, First Book is bringing close to 33,000 new books to children and families who need them most. Together, Verizon and First Book are helping children in need open the doors to exploration, adventure and learning through new books."

The Verizon Foundation supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational Web site, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence. In 2009, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $67.5 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in an additional $24.4 million in combined contributions to nonprofits. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 5 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 89 million customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 230,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $97 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

First Book provides new books to children in need addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy - access to books. An innovative leader in social enterprise, First Book has distributed more than 65 million free and low cost books in thousands of communities. First Book now has offices in the U.S. and Canada. For more information about the nonprofit First Book please visit www.firstbook.org.

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SOURCE Verizon