In Austin, the nonprofits were selected by the employees themselves based on thecommunity service they provide. "We took that feedback to heart, and this year`s Schwab VolunteerWeek was designed to give more Schwabbies around the country the opportunity toparticipate in Schwab`s great legacy of community giving." "We are advocates for our clients through all the ways in which we serve them,"said Walt Bettinger, president and chief executive officer of The Charles SchwabCorporation. "In a similar way, we strive to serve the communities we dobusiness in day to day. While our commitment to community service is ongoing,Schwab Volunteer Week offers employees a special opportunity to team up withtheir colleagues on a variety of projects that make an immediate impact right inthe communities where they live." In addition to volunteering, employee teams may also apply for a Volunteer Teamgrant of up to $1,000 from Charles Schwab Foundation to benefit theorganizations for which they`re providing hands-on, direct service.
Through its operating subsidiaries, thecompany provides a full range of securities brokerage, banking, money managementand financial advisory services to individual investors and independentinvestment advisors. Its broker-dealer subsidiary, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.(member SIPC, ), and affiliates offer a complete range of investmentservices and products including an extensive selection of mutual funds;financial planning and investment advice; retirement plan and equitycompensation plan services; referrals to independent fee-based investmentadvisors; and custodial, operational and trading support for independent,fee-based investment advisors through its Advisor Services division. The CharlesSchwab Bank (member FDIC) provides banking and mortgage services and products.More information is available at About Charles Schwab FoundationCharles Schwab Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization funded by TheCharles Schwab Corporation. Its mission is to create positive change throughfinancial education, philanthropy, and volunteerism. More information isavailable at (0509-8997) Charles SchwabSarah Bulgatz, orCRT/tanaka Public RelationsKatie Peterson, Copyright Business Wire 2009. Additional Support Expected Through Verizon Employee Contributions, Volunteerismand Corporate Matching Gift ProgramsLITTLE ROCK, Ark.--(Business Wire)--The Verizon Foundation today announced grants totaling $635,000 to four Arkansasnonprofits supporting efforts to improve educational achievement, supportteacher training and aid workforce development. "Verizon has a long-standing tradition of working to improve the communitieswhere we operate by supporting organizations that strive to make a difference inthe lives of individuals in the community," said Steven R Smith, president-South Central Region, Verizon Wireless.
"Through grants and the generouscontributions of time and talent from our employees, we are making a positiveimpact." Verizon Wireless made the announcement today at an event held at Central HighSchool in Little Rock, Arkansas. Organizations receiving grants include:* Jobs for America`s Graduates (JAG) - $250,000 to fund the creation of JAGprograms within three school districts in the Delta region of Arkansas (ForrestCity, Earle and Lee County). JAG is a national program designed to keep at-riskstudents in school and provide work-based learning experiences that will lead tocareer advancement opportunities or enrollment in postsecondary education. Thegrant will also fund a JAG state Executive Leadership Training Program forstudents. * One Economy - $250,000 to implement its Digital Connectors program at threeDelta region high schools. Through the Digital Connectors program students willdevelop leadership skills and receive technology training that provides theskills necessary to compete in today's economy. Those students will thenvolunteer in their communities, offering more than 6,000 hours of service topeers and the community.
* Arkansas Department of Education (DOE) - - $100,000 to improve technology atLittle Rock Central High School as well as develop a comprehensive professionaldevelopment program to train every teacher in the school to effectivelyintegrate and use technology in their classrooms. Teachers will also use thefree resources on Thinkfinity , the Verizon Foundation`s comprehensive Website that contains thousands of educational resources including K-12 lessonplans, online educational activities, videos and other materials to enhanceteacher effectiveness and improve student achievement. * Arkansas Department of Education (DOE) - $35,000 to raise awareness andprovide training for teachers throughout the state to use free educationalresources on Thinkfinity , The Arkansas DOE will serve as VerizonFoundation`s state partner and will work to make Thinkfinity`s educationalresources and professional development program available to all K-12 educatorsand college students studying to be teachers."The grants announced today will have a positive impact in the classrooms andcommunities throughout Arkansas," said Dr Ken James, Arkansas Commissioner ofEducation. "The Arkansas Department of Education is proud to partner withVerizon on such a worthy and necessary program to ensure our teachers have thetools they need to help our students master 21st century skills." William L "Bill" Walker, Jr. director of the Arkansas Department of WorkforceEducation, which oversees local JAG programs said: "Through the VerizonFoundation`s valuable support, JAG will be able to continue its importantmission of reaching out to at-risk youth and taking the necessary steps toensure that they stay in school and receive the guidance and training needed toexpand their options and have a better quality of life." "With Verizon`s support, young people in Arkansas will learn to use technologyto improve their lives and lead in their communities," said Rey Ramsey, OneEconomy`s chief executive officer. "As part of this 21st-century service corps,Digital Connectors share their knowledge with their neighbors, creating aculture of technology use." In addition to the grants outlined above, nonprofits throughout the state areeligible to receive additional support through monetary and time contributionsfrom Verizon employees. The Verizon Foundation will match employee contributionsto nonprofit organizations $1-for-$1 up to $1,000 per employee.