Mattel Children's Foundation Awards $10,000 Grant

Spread the Word Nevada: Kids to Kids, is the recipient of a $10,000 grant awarded by Mattel Children's Foundation. The grant will allow Spread the Word Nevada, children's literacy project, to continue the mission of adopting elementary schools in the Clark County School District deemed at-risk, in order to serve the disadvantaged children and their families in southern Nevada. After the adoption, new and gently used books donated by individuals, community organizations, local businesses, and corporations are distributed to the at-risk youth. At this time, sixteen elementary schools benefit from monthly book distributions.

Mattel Children's Foundation received over 1,100 applications for the grant from organizations through out the United States. The Domestic Grant program supports "healthy lives and active play, literacy, girls' empowerment and joy for children in need" - visit www.mattel.com. Spread the Word Nevada was one of twenty organizations awarded with the grant. Mattel recognized Spread the Word Nevada, as an effective and innovative program serving the community.

Kids to Kids, a flagship program of Spread the Word Nevada, Inc., a nonprofit, 501(c) (3) corporation, serves at-risk children and helps them create home library collections of books to read and share with family members. While developing a love of reading, these libraries promote future academic achievement and higher self-esteem, which impacts lifelong success. Since 2001, the program has distributed over one million books and has served more than 109,000 children in the Las Vegas Valley and Clark County School District. Website: www.spreadthewordnevada.org