Pack to School; SBC, United Way of Greater Los Angeles Send Children Back to Classrooms Equipped with Essential School Supplies

Business Wire, August 26, 2004

LOS ANGELES -- Getting kids to school is one thing. Equipping them with the supplies they need to do well is a struggle many families face with the start of each school year. Today, SBC and United Way helped bridge the gap for scores of Los Angeles and El Monte school children by donating backpacks filled with school supplies to children in need. The giveaway, being promoted as "Pack to School," marks the kick-off of SBC's United Way giving campaign.

"SBC is delighted to kick-off a new year of partnering with the United Way," said Chuck Smith, president and CEO of SBC California. "Both students and teachers face great needs in the classroom, and SBC is proud to team up with the United Way to provide these youngsters with the tools they need to succeed."

The backpacks came stuffed with paper, pencils, pens, a dictionary, a notebook, folders, erasers, crayons, markers, scissors, a ruler, a pencil box and sharpener, a composition book, glue stick, and book covers. The donation of 100 backpacks is a small price to pay for helping to put essential school supplies into the hands of low-income children who may not otherwise be able to afford them.

"Countywide, there have been strong gains in achievement scores in elementary schools, but these improvements mask the problem of much lower achievement in poor neighborhoods," stated Joe Haggerty, president of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles. "Investing in learning is part of United Way's mission to bridge the gap and change conditions so that all children have a chance to do well in school. Giving children the basic supplies they need to start the school year off right helps establish the foundation for that success."

SBC employees, who donated more than $16 million to charity in the past year, donated the school supplies for the backpacks through a collection drive orchestrated by local chapters of the SBC Pioneers, which includes current and retired SBC employees, and aided by the Communications Workers of America. The backpacks were handed out to children at SBC's offices in Pasadena, who then enjoyed a tour of the facility.

SBC has a longstanding relationship with the United Way. This strong bond is demonstrated this year by Dave Nichols, SBC Senior Vice President, serving in the role of 2004-2005 Campaign Chair for the United Way of Greater Los Angeles.

SBC Communications Inc. is a Fortune 50 company whose subsidiaries, operating under the SBC brand, provide a full range of voice, data, networking, e-business, directory publishing and advertising, and related services to businesses, consumers and other telecommunications providers. SBC holds a 60 percent ownership interest in Cingular Wireless, which serves 25 million wireless customers. SBC companies provide high-speed DSL Internet access lines to more American consumers than any other provider and are among the nation's leading providers of Internet services. SBC companies also now offer satellite TV service. Additional information about SBC and SBC products and services is available at www.sbc.com.

United Way of Greater Los Angeles is a nonprofit organization that helps 3,000,000 people each year in Los Angeles County. By examining community trends with the help of donors and volunteers, United Way has shaped a vision for moving the working poor out of poverty and for improving the quality of life for all of Los Angeles. Investing in programs that promote learning, empowering, and caring, United Way and its donors are Bridging the Gap in our community. For more information visit www.unitedwayla.org.