CHILDREN’S AUTHOR TO READ AT PALM BEACH ZOO
Grant from PNC Foundation to expand conservation &
educational youth reading program
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., July 26, 2012 – The Palm Beach Zoo has received a $4,000 grant from the PNC Foundation to expand its conservation and educational youth reading program, which includes hosting Theresa Burns, a
well-known children’s author. Ms. Burns will read her books, You’re Not My Cat, This Bear and That Bear, and The New Kangaroo on Saturday, August 4 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the zoo and sign books after each presentation.
The grant from the PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC), will allow the Palm Beach Zoo to offer creative, fun and entertaining methods of introducing some of its 1,400 animals to children through the written word. PNC provided the funding in support of Grow Up Great, its bilingual program in early childhood education.
Theresa Burns is originally from Chicago Illinois. She dreamt of illustrating children’s books since she was 5 years old. She wrote and illustrated her first book, You’re Not My Cat, in 1989 for Harper Collins. She has since illustrated 20 other books for other authors. She works for major publishers and authors who wish to self-publish. Theresa has also painted murals for schools, hospitals, businesses and private homes. Her paintings have been shown in galleries across the United States. Theresa enjoys working with children and has taught art and reads her books in schools to share her passion for illustration. Theresa lives in Ft. Lauderdale Florida with her husband, two daughters, a poodle, five cats, two guinea pigs, two birds and many fish! Her work can be seen at www.theresaburns.com
“Our support of the Palm Beach Zoo’s youth reading program is a strategic investment in the future of our children in the area,” said Craig Grant, PNC regional president for Eastern Florida, speaking on behalf of the PNC Foundation. “It is a perfect example of how teaching preschoolers what they see at the zoo can be reinforced by experiencing it through the pages of a book.”
For more information on this event: www.palmbeachzoo.org or call (561) 533-0887 and to learn more about the PNC Grow Up Great initiative, go to www.pncgrowupgreat.com
.
-30-
About PNC Foundation
The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group (www.pnc.com), 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 5 for success in school and life.
About the Zoological Society
The Zoological Society of the Palm Beaches exists to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat, and to inspire others to value and conserve the natural world. We advance our conservation mission through endangered species propagation, education, health and wellness, field research, and conservation medicine. Our sustainable and responsible business practices and local, national and global partnerships enable the Palm Beach Zoo to support national and international conservation, species survival, and habitat preservation.