For Immediate Release
MGM Resorts Foundation Grants $50,000 to Spread the Word Nevada
Grant to benefit the Organization’s Breakfast with Books Program
Las Vegas – Henderson, NV (June 28, 2017) – Spread the Word Nevada (STWN) has been selected by MGM Resorts Foundation’s Community Grant Council as the recipient of a $50,000 grant to fund the nonprofit’s Family Literacy Program – Breakfast with Books.
“Breakfast with Books is an excellent example of the MGM Resorts Foundation’s commitment to strengthening families,” said Lisa Habighorst, Executive Director of Spread the Word Nevada. “Our program fosters positive parenting by providing the tools and support to help parents guide their children to literacy, while simultaneously engaging the children in activities which create a life long love of reading that will broaden their academic and economic opportunities. Reading together as a family activity can be a bonding experience. When parents are involved in their children’s education, both children and parents will benefit.”
The goal of Breakfast with Books is to enable at-risk students to improve their reading skills to the point where they can succeed in school and develop the abilities that will prepare them for high school and post secondary education. Studies have shown that poor readers, who are behind in reading a grade level or more, are more likely to be disruptive in the classroom, truant from school, and at risk of dropping out of high school. (The Literacy Company, Enhanced Reading & Literacy Research).
The MGM Resorts Foundation, a Nevada non-profit corporation receives donations through MGM employee charitable contributions, which supports other non-profit agencies and community organizations to fulfill its mission of “Building a Stronger Community.”
“Reading at a young age is critical to a child’s long-term success,” says Shelley Gitomer, MGM Resorts’ vice president of philanthropy and community engagement. “Studies show that children who read do better in school; they have higher retention rates and make better grades than children who don’t read. Education is a critical need in Nevada, so we think it’s important to support Spread the Word Nevada.”
About Spread the Word Nevada
Spread the Word Nevada, Inc., is a children’s literacy nonprofit, 501(c) (3) corporation, dedicated to advancing early childhood literacy by placing books into the hands and homes of children within Southern Nevada’s at-risk, low income communities. While developing a love of reading, these libraries promote future academic achievement and self-confidence, which impacts lifelong success. Since 2001, Spread the Word Nevada has distributed more than 3.9 million gently used and new books to approximately 467,000 low-income youth in Southern Nevada. Please visit www.SpreadTheWordNevada.org to learn more about program details or call at (702) 564-7809. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About The MGM Resorts Foundation
The purpose of The MGM Resorts Foundation is to collect and distribute monies and assets donated by employees of MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM) for the aid and support of qualified community nonprofit programs, agencies or organizations designated exclusively by
MGM Resorts employees. In addition, the Foundation collects and distributes donations to the Foundation by third-party non-employees to support charitable, scientific, literary, and educational activities approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors and organized by
MGM Resorts employees to benefit qualified non-profit charitable organizations designated by the Foundation’s Board.
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Media Contact
Vicki Soares (702) 203-0002
Vicki@spreadthewordnevada.org