LPWire: DisneyHand and Belle Launch Passport to Reading in Fairfax County, VA

Cox Communications and Toon Disney Bring "Passport To Reading''
a "Learning Together!'' Special Event -- to the Fairfax County Government Center on Monday, June 23

Story Time Features a Special Appearance by Belle

Cox Communications and Toon Disney will host "DisneyHand Reading Together With Belle" as part of Toon Disney's "Passport To Reading" initiative. A special event designed to promote reading as an engaging summer activity among children, the program will kick-off at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 23, at the Fairfax County Government Center (Board Auditorium, 12000 Government Center Parkway).

Committed to helping students keep their reading comprehension skills sharp during summer vacation, Cox Communications and Toon Disney have partnered to support the Fairfax County Public Library's Summer Reading Program. Local children from the Fairfax County Office of Partnerships, Computer Learning Centers Partnership and Hispanics Against Child Abuse and Neglect, Inc. will be treated to a special story reading led by one of Disney's most beloved princesses, Belle from the animated classic "Beauty and the Beast." In addition Cox Communications will donate $15,000 to The Fairfax County Public Library Foundation, Inc.

"Toon Disney's `Passport To Reading' program is a fun way to help parents, libraries and educators to encourage kids to read and bridge the summer months with a program that contributes to the development of strong communication and comprehension skills necessary to succeed in school and in life," said Ben Pyne, Senior Vice President, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, ABC Cable Networks Group. "Moreover, we hope to influence children's regard for books by helping them discover the joys and benefits of reading for fun."

"Cox is proud to give back to the community by working with the Fairfax County Public Library to help grow its `Wolfin' Down Books' summer reading program," said Scott Boyles, Vice President of Public Affairs, Cox Communications. "Through their current reading initiative and Cox's partnership with Toon Disney, we are enhancing the learning experience of students during a time of the year when they would not typically gravitate toward books and turning them on to an advantageous form of entertainment."

Studies show that failure to practice reading during the summer break puts children at risk of losing 10 to 40 percent of what they have learned throughout school year(1). Cox Communications and Toon Disney -- in conjunction with DisneyHand, the worldwide outreach arm of The Walt Disney Company -- are dedicated to enhancing the Fairfax County Public Library's summer reading program, "Wolfin' Down Books at Your Library," by heightening public awareness and building community goodwill through the "DisneyHand Reading Together With Belle" launch event. Additional information on how to help children retain and build upon their current level of academic achievement will be provided via PSA's and posted on the Toon Disney website.

Kids and parents are invited to take advantage of Toon Disney's Web site to access online resources including recommended book lists and age-appropriate reading tips, as well as information on how to participate in the rewards program. For more information on Toon Disney's "Passport To Reading" program or to learn how families can get involved, log onto .

The Fairfax County Public Library's "Wolfin' Down Books at Your Library" summer reading program runs from June 20 through August 30. The free program encourages preschoolers through sixth graders to read (or, for preschoolers, have read to them) 15 books. Teens in grades 7 - 12 are encouraged to read eight books. Upon completing a book log, children will receive a coupon booklet redeemable for free and discounted prizes.

Encompassing all of the ABC Cable Networks Group entities -- SOAPnet, ABC Family, Disney Channel and Toon Disney -- "Learning Together!" is a public affairs initiative created to improve children's learning and personal growth through encouragement of family involvement.

Toon Disney, the 24-hour all-toon network, showcases Disney's vast library of animation from seven decades of magic with series and specials to shorts and movies, as well as a variety of acquired animated programs. Currently available in 39 million homes, Toon Disney is a division of ABC Cable Networks Group, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications, a Fortune 500 company, is a multi-service broadband communications company serving approximately 6.3 million customers nationwide. Cox is the nation's fourth-largest cable television provider, and offers both traditional analog video programming under the Cox Cable brand as well as advanced digital video programming under the Cox Digital Cable brand. Cox provides an array of other communications and entertainment services, including local and long distance telephone under the Cox Digital Telephone brand; high-speed Internet access under the brands Cox High Speed Internet and Cox Express; and commercial voice and data services via its affiliate Cox Business Services, LLC. Local cable advertising, promotional opportunities and production services are sold under the Cox Media(SM) brand. Cox is an investor in programming networks including Discovery Channel. More information about Cox Communications can be accessed on the Internet at www.cox.com.

(1) San Antonio Express-News, 2001

--Posted June 19, 2003
Source: Cox Communications