Foundation for the Kent County Public Library Receives Grant from the PNC Foundation for “Summer Readers Reach the Stars”

Chestertown – The Foundation for the Kent County Public Library has been awarded a $6,500 grant from the PNC Foundation to continue their Early Literacy initiative that focuses on improving school readiness. PNC provided the funding in support of Grow Up Great, its bilingual program in early childhood education.

“Summer Readers Reach the Stars” will be the theme for the 2019 Kent County Public Library Summer Reading Program which will encourage children of all ages from birth through teenagers to engage their minds through programs that center around space exploration. During the summer of 2019, KCPL will continue to work with community partners, including Kent County Public School’s summer program, to reach more children in our community, provide opportunities for multi-generational learning, and offer special STEM programming for children of all ages.

“Thanks to the PNC Grow Up Great grant, KCPL’s exceptional Children’s Department will continue to be an integral part of an early education initiative,” said Jackie Adams, Library Director. “The Library’s goal is to foster and support ongoing interaction and education for children through reading, STEM and other activities throughout the summer and to encourage families and caregivers to promote these activities throughout the year.”
The grant from the PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC), will enable the Kent County Public Library to engage professional presenters and fund the purchase of educational supplies to support these programs and provide core knowledge training and readiness skills for early care providers and parents.

“PNC is committed to providing families with the tools and resources to help children be successful in kindergarten and life,” said Chick Hamm, PNC Executive Vice President and Market Executive in Greater Maryland. “We are thrilled to expand our support of the Kent County Public Library Summer Reading Program as it continues to serve a critical community need – helping more Kent County children arrive at kindergarten with essential skills and ready to learn.”

In FY 2018, 7,494 community members attended children’s library programs offered throughout the year, including weekly story times and other culturally enriching programs.

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~ Kent County Public Library

About the Organizations
The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through Grow Up Great, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a $350 million multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age five for success in school and life.