|
Monday, 3 October, 2011 9:47 PM
PNC
teams up with The Parade Company to expand Local Preschool Educational
Opportunities and create new Parade Float
Logo
credit: PNC Bank
|
Logo
credit: The Parade Company
|
PNC
to Serve as Official Partner of Early Childhood Education for The
Parade Company
|
DETROIT -- The
Parade Company today announced that it will kick-off a multi-year
relationship with PNC Bank for the 85th America’s Thanksgiving
Parade®, including naming PNC as the official partner of early
childhood education for The Parade Company.
Beginning with this year’s
Thanksgiving Parade, PNC will introduce a Grow Up Great float,
named after the company’s 10-year, $100 million initiative
to help preschool children prepare for success in school and life.
Some of the Grow Up Great
educational elements will be included in materials from The Parade
Company and America’s Thanksgiving Parade®.
“The annual parade
is a popular family event and a perfect opportunity to stress the
importance of early childhood education,” said PNC Regional
President Ric DeVore. “After introducing PNC Grow Up Great
last year in the Detroit Public Schools, we are expanding the program
to include educational opportunities for a broader group of preschool
children at The Parade Company studio.”
The partnership was made
possible by the PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding
from The PNC Financial Services Group. In support of Grow Up Great,
a 10-year, $100 million bilingual initiative to improve early childhood
education, the PNC Foundation pledged $2.1 million in May 2010 to
the Detroit Public Schools Foundation, the Detroit Science Center
and the Musical Hall Center for the Performing Arts. Together, they
have established new programs in science and the arts for underserved
preschool children in the Detroit Public Schools.
“America’s
Thanksgiving Parade is a cherished tradition that has created memories
for millions of adults and children alike over the last 85 years,”
said Tony Michaels, President & CEO, The Parade Company. “We
are thrilled to partner with PNC to help build upon our Parade traditions
and enhance and create new educational opportunities for the children
in our community.”
PNC Parade Studio
Tours
Each year, thousands
of visitors, including hundreds of preschool children and families,
participate in PNC Parade Studio Tours, which offer guided, behind-the-scenes
visits to a real working art studio. For the 2011 Parade season,
the PNC grant will enable preschool-aged children and families to
experience new “teachable moments,” which include a
papier-mâché area, material touch boards, a foam rod
sculpting area and more. These program areas will also allow tour
guides to provide students a greater understanding of the artistic
process behind creating the major elements of a Parade, such as
floats, big heads and costumes, as well as the creation of the Parade,
itself.
“I am very proud of the partnership we have with PNC because
of their unwavering commitment to early childhood education,”
said Chacona Johnson, President & CEO of Detroit Public Schools
Foundation. “Through Grow Up Great, PNC has provided outstanding
opportunities for DPS pre-kindergarten students, teachers and parents.
This new collaboration with the Parade Company is yet another way
they continue to expose DPS students and their families to unique
learning experiences.”
DPS Preschool
Student, Family and Teacher Opportunities
Throughout the 2011 parade
season, there will be a number of special opportunities customized
for Detroit Public Schools preschool students, families and teachers
who take part in Grow Up Great. In October and November, all of
the preschool students will participate in a guided PNC Parade Company
Studio Tour and participate in hands-on learning activities at each
station.
Working with the Detroit
Science Center and Detroit Children’s Museum, The Parade Company
will create both an Educator and Parent Guide for participating
preschool teachers and parents. The guides will provide activities
and educational lessons so that students can take their experiences
from the guided Parade Studio Tour and continue learning at home
and in the classroom. The guide will include activities that can
be replicated with recycled materials and household items. The various
materials will be provided to all of the teachers to produce each
activity in their classroom at least once. The DPS preschool teachers
will also attend an in-service at The Parade Company studio in early
October to review the materials and lessons in advance.
In addition, The Parade
Company and PNC will invite all DPS preschool students of Grow Up
Great designated schools and their families to PNC Family Fun Day
on Thursday, October 13 at the Parade Company’s studio for
a free afternoon and evening of parade fun, food and entertainment.
The students and parents will even participate in a hands-on activity
that will allow them to “leave their mark” on the new
PNC Grow Up Great float that will be featured in the 85th America’s
Thanksgiving Parade®. The new float will be unveiled on Friday,
November 4th at The Parade Company’s annual VIP Pancake Breakfast
at their studio.
About The PNC
Foundation
The PNC Foundation, which
receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group
(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 its signature cause, Grow Up Great,
PNC has created a 10-year, $100 million initiative to enhance early
childhood education and school readiness. For more information on
Grow Up Great, please visit pncgrowupgreat.com.
About Detroit
Public Schools Foundation
The mission of the Detroit
Public Schools Foundation is to raise, manage and steward funds
and other resources to support value added programs and activities
for the benefit of the Detroit Public Schools and its students.
Detroit Public Schools Foundation is a 501 ©3 non-profit operating
independently of the Detroit Public Schools. Visit http://www.detroitpsfoundation.org.
About The Parade
Company
Founded in 1984, The
Parade Company is a not-for-profit organization governed by the
Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation whose board of directors
is comprised of key civic and corporate leaders in the greater Detroit
region. The Parade Company is celebrating 85 years of Parade tradition
in Detroit. The mission is to fund, create and execute the best
family events in metro Detroit. The Parade Company staff, the board
of directors and thousands of parade volunteers work year-round
to bring a wide variety of magnificent events to the City of Detroit,
each year, including the Target Fireworks, Fifth Third Turkey Trot
and America's Thanksgiving Parade®.
Source: Lovio George
Inc. / The Parade Company
|
