"A library is a not a luxury, but one of the necessities of life."- Henry Ward Beecher

In keeping with Center for Companies That Care's focus on enhancing the educational environment at less-advantaged schools, Center for Companies That Care announces Terrific Tales - our national CAREDAYS initiative for 2008-2010.

Our three-year goal is to provide 1000 classroom libraries of high quality books to less-advantaged schools nationwide.

The numbers paint the picture. Over 15% of children nationwide live in poverty. The public schools that serve them work hard to make the best of inadequate equipment, supplies, materials, resources, and in particular, classroom libraries.

Classroom libraries are a critical component in building literacy, but many schools do not have even the most basic literary resources. Center for Companies That Care is proud to offer your organization the opportunity to sponsor a complete classroom library for a worthy school of your choice.

Based on the recommendations of librarians and education experts, Center for Companies That Care has carefully compiled the Terrific Tales book list, an educationally diverse selection of books for grades kindergarten through 8th grade. With 50 to 60 titles for each grade, the list includes fiction, non-fiction, poetry, classics, and the latest offerings in children's literature.

If you choose to participate in Terrific Tales, your company will collect and distribute a classroom library of books to a less-advantaged school. You may also choose to raise money from employees and donate those funds to purchase classroom libraries or individual books through www.companies-that-care.org/donate.

For donations of 10 or more books, Center for Companies That Care will help you find a deserving classroom. Please register for Terrific Tales and receive the Terrific Tales book list to get started.

Terrific Tales offers students a world of literary treasures. As Thomas Jefferson said, "I cannot live without books." Here's hoping our children won't have to either.

Learn how to implement Terrific Tales at your company

CAREDAYS 2010 will kick off on March 18, 2010 and run for one month.

Join with Center for Companies That Care in our effort to help those in need of educational opportunities!