The Heart of America Foundation
The Heart of America Foundation is a national non-profit located in Washington, DC, co-founded by Bill Halamandaris and Angie Halamandaris.
Mission
Founded in 1997, The Heart of America Foundation's mission is to provide disadvantaged children with the tools they need to read, succeed and make a difference in life. The Heart of America Foundation's programs uniquely combine volunteer service and literacy. The organization is volunteer-led and peer-driven, operating with a small staff and hundreds of volunteers. Supporters have included: Wally Amos, Jane Goodall, and Tim Love.
Library Makeovers and Projects
The Heart of America Foundation's READesign library makeover program aims to transform school libraries by redecorating, revitalizing technology, and replenishing book shelves. READesign engages volunteers, local youth, corporate team members and other members of the community in service through library beautification and improvement activities, book distributions and one-on-one reading activities with children. Each READesign library makeover includes new technology, vibrant paint, artwork by a nationally recognized artist, new furniture, 1,000-2,000 new, high-quality library books, and between 5 and 7 books per child to add to their personal home libraries.
Library makeover partners have included Target Corporation, Capital One and the NFL. A signature event of the Heart of America Foundation is the annual Sweet Charity "Des Alpes Chocolate Fashion Show" benefit, which is co-hosted by Albert Uster Imports.
==Official Web Site==
References
(1) http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/30600272#30600272
(2) http://press.org/homepage_pop.cfm?id=280
(3) http://news.target.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=196187&p=irol-newsArticle_Print&ID=1202714&highlight
(4) http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/03-02-2007/0004538368&EDATE
(5) http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS201338+19-Sep-2008+PRN20080919
(6) http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Bill_Halamandaris
(7) http://www.hcibooks.com/s-2281-bill-halamandaris.aspx
(8) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1563525658/groveofdobhran
(9) http://www.heartofamerica.org/executiveadvisoryboard.htm
(10) Target Volunteerism and Community Support http://pressroom.target.com/pr/news/community/teaminvolvement/target-team-engagement.aspx
(11) Garfield Elementary Unveils All-New Library to Students and Local Community http://pressroom.target.com/pr/news/community/teaminvolvement/phoenix-elemenatary-release08.aspx