AT&T Donates $105,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T* today announced a $105,000 corporate contribution to the Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee to support Project Learn in twenty-one clubs across the state. Project Learn features a program that provides supplemental learning activities to strengthen developmental skills.

Gregg Morton, State President, AT&T Tennessee presented the donation to Boys & Girls Clubs officials during a ceremony at the Halls/Powell Boys & Girls Clubs in Knoxville today.  "Working with the Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee, through programs like Project Learn, emphasizes our commitment to helping educate our youth and better prepare them for the future," said Morton.  "These children are tomorrow's leaders.  AT&T recognizes this and invests in Project Learn in order to provide them with the skills needed to succeed in tomorrow's workforce.  We applaud our state leaders for creating an environment that encourages business investment in educational initiatives."

Each of the selected clubs will receive $5,000 to support Project Learn.  Project Learn reinforces and enhances the skills and knowledge young people learn at school through "high-yield" learning activities, including leisure reading, writing activities, homework help, and games that develop and strengthen cognitive skills.

"Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee is grateful to AT&T for contributing to Project Learn," said Bob Schrader, president of Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee.   "The overall benefits, through the education and training these children receive in this program, are a direct return on investment for the state's business community."

The following Boys & Girls Clubs will each receive a contribution from AT&T:

• Highland Park Club, Chattanooga
• Benton Club, Benton
• James Tucker Club, Cleveland
• Madisonville Club, Madisonville
• Maury County Club, Columbia
• Smyrna Club, Smyrna
• East Club, Jackson
• Brownsville Club, Brownsville
• Northwest TN Club, Union City
• Ira Samelson Jr. Club, Memphis
• Hickory Hill Club, Memphis
• Goodwill Club, Memphis
• Andrew Jackson Club, Nashville
• Fairview club, Fairview
• Morristown/Hamblen County Club, Morristown
• Pigeon Forge Club, Pigeon Forge
• Eagleton Club, Maryville
• Halls/Powell Club, Knoxville
• Tennessee Club, Bristol
• Johnson City Club, Johnson City
• Riverview Club, Kingsport

"AT&T and Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee are setting a great example of what can be accomplished through partnerships between corporations and nonprofit organizations," said State Representative Harry Brooks, chairman of the House Education Committee.  "Identifying the relationship between business investment and educational initiatives directly benefits Tennessee's children and workforce."

"It is so important to invest in programs like Project Learn," said Lisa Hurst, executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee. "AT&T's contribution to the program shows its commitment to providing educational opportunities for our state's children.  We applaud our state leaders, including Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, House Speaker Kent Williams, Senate Education Chair Delores Gresham and House Education Chair Harry Brooks for their attention and support to education initiatives like this."

"AT&T's commitment to education is something we need more companies throughout the state to follow," said Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey.  "AT&T's investment in programs like Project Learn will strengthen Tennessee's future economy and workforce."

"Education goes so much further than the classroom," said House Speaker Kent Williams.  "AT&T's investment in programs like Project Learn exemplifies its commitment to furthering education in Tennessee."

"AT&T should be commended for its efforts and contributions to educational opportunities for Tennessee's children," said Senate Education Chair Delores Gresham.  "Project Learn is one example of a program that is making a difference in Tennessee."

Project Learn emphasizes collaborations between Boys & Girls Clubs staff, parents and school personnel, and focuses on the skills young people develop both at the Boys & Girls Clubs and in the home. Based on Dr. Reginald Clark's research, Project Learn incorporates fun, but academically beneficial, activities that increase overall academic performance. Formally evaluated by Columbia University, Project Learn has been proved to significantly boost the academic performances of Club members.

"Tennessee has made great strides in recent months toward strengthening its education efforts, and our state's business leaders are playing a key role," said Commissioner Tim Webb of the Tennessee Department of Education.  "We are all in this fight together, and AT&T recognizes that partnering with local community organizations is important to the success of our education initiatives."

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2009, nearly $155 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse(SM) and AT&T |DIRECTV(SM) brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine. 

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