WKAR Receives Education Grant from Jackson National

EAST LANSING, Mich., Dec. 14 -- Michigan State University issued the following news release:

WKAR's Education Services has received a grant of $5,000 from the Jackson National Community Fund for Ready To Learn and education activities offered by the Michigan State University public television station.

The gift was presented to WKAR by Danielle Robinson, corporate responsibility specialist for the Jackson National Life Insurance Co.

WKAR Ready To Learn Service provides free information and literacy workshops for families with young children.

This year's gift will go toward parent workshops and professional development for pre-K-12 teachers.

"We're very pleased that Jackson National has given us a vote of confidence to continue our work with families and professionals in our community," said WKAR's education coordinator, Beany Tomber. "The work of Ready To Learn has supported thousands of mid-Michigan children since 1996, and we're glad to be able to continue our mission of providing area families, teachers and providers with services to enhance literacy."

This is the second grant the Jackson National Community Fund has provided to WKAR for education and Ready To Learn. Last year's grant of $4,500 was used to present family workshops emphasizing the Ready To Learn strategy of using public television children's programs, in conjunction with reading a book and participating in an activity to enhance literacy skills.

WKAR is part of MSU's College of Communication Arts and Sciences and includes, in addition to WKAR Ready To Learn Service, WKAR-TV, WKAR Radio, WKAR.org, WKAR Radio Reading Service and Interactive Video Services.

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