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$5,000 to Family Connections

Friday, February 9, 2007

The Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation presented a $5,000 grant to Family Connections at the February 9 Palo Alto Tour Meeting.

Thanking Realtors and affiliates for the grant, Renne Zimmerman, Executive Director of Family Connections, said Family Connections is a tuition-free parent participation preschool for low-income families. Parents learn positive parenting skills while their children develop the skills necessary to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Family Connections has locations in East Palo Alto, Belle Haven and Menlo Park.

"By providing a cost-free preschool opportunity to children who would otherwise not be able to attend pre-school, we're hoping to break the whole cycle. At Family Connections, parents attend preschool with their children. Statistics show if parents are engaged early on in their children's schooling, the greater the likelihood they will stay involved in their children's education."

Zimmerman said the Charitable Foundation's grant will enable Family Connections to purchase movement education equipment for each of its program sites. Basic equipment such as tumbling mats, balance beams, indoor gym equipment and climbers will allow Family Connections to regularly schedule movement education sessions for the children. The preschool hopes to ingrain the fact that healthy habits begin when children are young. The children will be able to use the equipment for both motor skills development and supervised recreation play.

Tumbling, balancing, and the development of core muscles contribute to healthy physical growth in children. Zimmerman said, "This equipment will help children develop their motor skills. Studies show early brain development stems from the development of motor skills early on."

"Thank you to all the donors to the Charitable Foundation who make it possible to assist those who do this important work in our community," said Jan Aarts, who presented Zimmerman the check on behalf of the Foundation.

This donation by the Charitable Foundation Trust has been made possible in part by sponsorship from the Heritage Bank of Commerce.


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The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

For further information, please contact Rose Meily at SILVAR Public Affairs, email , or phone (408) 200-0109.

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