FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 24, 2003 10:00 a.m.

Sisters of Beta Pi Host Pledge Potluck

The Social Committee has announced "Pledge Potluck," hosted by the Sisters of Beta Pi (Barnes Place) Sorority. The potluck and back-to-school pledge drive will take place on Saturday, September 6 at 7:05 p.m., and benefit for Centennial Place Elementary's Summer Reading Achievers program. Funds raised will go towards purchasing prizes to reward students for meeting summer reading goals.

The reading program, sponsored but not funded by the U.S. Department of Education, lacks incentives for completing the paperwork that will prove today's students are achievers, reaching their summer reading goal of 10 books each.

Guests are asked to bring a dish to share, the beverage of their choice and a cash donation. Checks made to Centennial Place Elementary are eligible for tax deductions. Barnes Place will provide mixers.

"Of course, guests are strongly encouraged to wear the latest in Sorority Wear," said Social Chair Timothy State. "We see this as a great opportunity to increase the bonds of sisterhood while helping those in our community."

Centennial Place Elementary serves 505 children from Kindergarten to Fifth Grade. 97% African-American student population, 68% are on subsidized school lunches. However, despite the high poverty rate that impacts these kids, approximately 95% of the students meet or exceed the State Superintendent's standards, and have for four years straight.

With these scores, most of the kids at Centennial Place don't need incentives to read, they simply need incentives to complete the federally mandated paperwork. Forget the challenges with math and reading, it's the paperwork that is holding back our kids! Barnes Place is helping to raise $1,000 for the purchase of a new computer to be presented to the student reading the most books.

"Our goal is less than $0.20 per book read by students this summer," said Pledge Master Tony Dornacher. "It's the least we can do for these kids who are achieving, despite the insurmountable odds they face every day."

To RSVP, make a pledge or for more information, direct your web browser to: http://www.barnesplace.com/events/pledge/.