On Thursday, December 11, 2008 at the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, REACH will once again recognize those who “perform like Champions of Choice” for the families and children of Pennsylvania. The 2008 Champions of Choice Awardees will be Dr. Ronald Bowes (Assistant Superintendent for Public Policy and Development, Diocese of Pittsburgh), Senator Jane Clare Orie (R-40), and Representative Thomas A. Tangretti (D-57).

In 1955, Nobel laureate Dr. Milton Friedman introduced to the nation the concept that education dollars should follow the child.  He thought that a child’s education should not be determined by zip code or financial status.  Years later, we are still fighting to make his vision a reality.

“The school choice movement in Pennsylvania has grown tremendously in the past ten years: the PA Charter School Law was passed in 1997, cyber-charter schools came to fruition in 2005 and the growth and multiple expansions of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program since 2001 have all made parental choice in education more accessible for Pennsylvania parents,” stated Andrew T. LeFevre, Executive Director, REACH (Road to Educational Achievement through CHoice) Alliance & Foundation.

“However, the growth in parental choice would not have been possible without the support of the legislature and key community leaders.  The REACH Alliance & Foundation are proud to honor Senator Jane Clare Orie, Representative Thomas A. Tangretti and Dr. Ronald Bowes for their willingness to help each child in Pennsylvania get the education they need…and deserve!” added LeFevre.

REACH would like to extend a thank you to our Champions of Choice Host Committee members: Frederick W. Anton III, President & CEO, Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association, co-chair; William J. Donahue, President, Donahue Family Foundation, co-chair; Sally Stein, Manager, Pittsburgh Jewish Educational Improvement Foundation; Reverend Kris Stubna, S.T.D., Secretary for Education, Diocese of Pittsburgh; Robert C. Enlow, Executive Director & COO, Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice.

Last year, hundreds of school choice supporters attended the first-ever Champions of Choice Awards Dinner in Philadelphia. Please join us as we come together once again to honor Pennsylvania’s foremost champions of school choice. Here are the event details:

WHEN:       Thursday, December 11, 2008
                     VIP Reception 6:00 p.m., General Reception 6:00 p.m.
                     Dinner/Program 7:00 p.m.
WHERE:     Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
                     4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
TICKETS:  $25 for 1 ticket for any member of a family participating in the
                     EITC program
                     $50 for 1 ticket to general reception & dinner
                     $200 for 1 ticket to VIP reception & dinner
                     Tables may also be purchased at a discounted ticket rate

If you would like more information about the Champions of Choice event or would like to purchase tickets, please contact the REACH office at 717.238.1878 or mail@paschoolchoice.org. Sponsorships are still available!

What is the REACH Foundation?
Founded in 1993, the REACH (Road to Educational Achievement through CHoice) Foundation is dedicated to ensuring parental choice in education in Pennsylvania. REACH continually promotes policies that enable statewide parental choice in education, including the well-established and highly successful EITC Program.  For more information on the REACH Foundation, visit www.paschoolchoice.org.

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