Brooks Resources partners with SMART reading program
Brooks Resources Corporation is the first Business Partner for a new 2013 fundraising initiative at Start Making a Reader Today (SMART) of Central Oregon.
The real estate company, which has long supported the SMART program through volunteerism and donations, is hoping to set a precedent for other companies in the community.
“We believe that having Brooks Resources be the first to sign on for this business partnership program will be a great incentive for other businesses to support the program as well,” said Diane Turnbull, central area manager for SMART. “The SMART program began more than 21 years ago when Oregon business leaders came together to create a program to strengthen Oregon’s future work force. This type of support from businesses in the community continues to further our vision.”
SMART Business Partners across the state have allowed the program to serve more than 152,000 children and give away 2 million books in Oregon.
In the Central Oregon region, SMART recruits, screens, trains and supports volunteers to read one-on-one with children who require literacy support in prek-3rd grades. SMART supports nearly 150 volunteers who read an hour a week with more than 225 students in Bend-La Pine Schools.
Brooks Resources gives employees paid time off to participate as volunteers with the SMART program and other charities around the region.
The company’s most recent monetary donation to SMART will help to cover costs for: the recruitment, screening, training and support of SMART volunteers; two books per month for each child to take home and keep; two full-time staff to support the 350+ volunteers and more than 500 students participating in the program in Central Oregon; and the expansion of the program’s permanent book collections.
About SMART® (Start Making A Reader Today)
SMART is a statewide nonprofit organization that envisions an Oregon where every child can read and is empowered to succeed. We partner with schools around the state and engage community volunteers to read one-on-one with PreK through third-grade children, helping strengthen literacy skills and encourage a love of reading. Since 1992, SMART has steadily grown to become Oregon’s largest volunteer literacy program. Children in the program receive 14 new books throughout the school year to keep and read with their families. Visit www.getSMARToregon.org or call Diane Turnbull at our Central Oregon office at 541-355-5601 to learn more about SMART.
About Brooks Resources Corporation
Brooks Resources Corporation, based in Bend, Oregon, is a real estate development company that delivers quality real estate products and services in Central Oregon. Offering a diverse choice of premier neighborhoods in Central Oregon, Brooks Resources Corporation is committed to the preservation of natural environment around home sites, positive growth of communities and an active relationship with the communities of Central Oregon.
Its current developments include North Rim on Awbrey Butte, IronHorse in Prineville, Yarrow in Madras and NorthWest Crossing (a joint venture with Tennant Family Limited Partnership). In addition it operates Mount Bachelor Village Resort, Botanical Developments and Brooks Resources Realty. For more information, visit http://www.brooksresources.com.
