PRESS RELEASE

June 9, 2009

The Rotary Club of Innsbrook will celebrate its 20^th Anniversary by kicking off the public phase of its "Making Dreams Real" capital campaign in support of Coal Pit Leaning Center, a non-profit pre-school at 5101 Francistown Road in Glen Allen.  When complete, Coal Pit Learning Center will be completely renovated and will have a new multiuse classroom.

To date, the Rotary Club of Innsbrook has raised approximately $ 75,000 of the $120,000 cash goal through its annual Auction for Youth, Rotary District 7600 grants, and support of local individuals, churches, and businesses.  The current funding will enable the project to begin in early Fall 2009.

Coal Pit Learning Center was established in 1905 to serve the children of the working poor in Western Henrico County.  The Center today operates in the original 1905 facility serving approximately 30 school age children 2-3 days a week at no charge, with limited after school care.  The proposed renovations will involve construction of a 1,840 square foot expansion housing a play/learning room, a stage, modern kitchen and bathrooms and office space for the director of education, as well as other facility upgrades.  Upon completion of the Project, the Center expects to be able to accommodate 50 pre-schoolers for a full 5 day week at no charge and up to 30 children in an after school program at $10 per day.  

Lisa Hollier, President of The Rotary Club of Innsbrook,  noted that this project will have a big impact:  "This expansion will not only provide these children with a first class pre-school facility, which would not otherwise be available to them because of the cost, but will also make it possible for many more families to avoid having to make a choice  between work and quality care for their pre-school age children".

The Rotary Club of Innsbrook is a Chapter of Rotary International, a worldwide organization of business leaders dedicated to humanitarian service, high ethical standards and goodwill.  "Our members take great pride in the service we perform for our community and are thrilled when we can positively affect the lives of those who are less fortunate than ourselves.  We've found that we ‘re truly able to have fun making a difference!" said  President Hollier.

Innsbrook Rotary continues to seek cash gifts and donations of materials and labor for the Project.  Please contact Brydon DeWitt for further information at 804-364-0145 (brydon.dewitt@gmail.com) or visit www.innsbrookrotary.org and click on "20^th Anniversary Project".