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Press Releases & News
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February 21, 2005
For Immediate Release
Contact: Eric Rogers,
Eola Hills Wine Cellars, 503 623-2405
Rinda Montgomery Conwell, North
Central ESD, 541-384-2732 ext.146
$20,000
Donated by Eola Hills Wine Cellars for Oregon
Education
(Rickreall, Oregon) With the help of $20,000
from Eola Hills Winery, hundreds of young Oregon preschool children will have a
better chance of beating illiteracy. Through a reading assessment called
DIBELS, an acronym for "Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills,"
pre-schoolers and their teachers will be making reading strides. In
coordination with Oregon Department of Education's efforts to train teachers
throughout the state to implement DIBELS, Eola Hills' donation is helping to
move training ahead at a faster pace.
Eola Hills' initiative started in
March of 2003 when they established the "Oregon Education Assistance Fund."
Allocating a percentage of in-state wine sales, with the support of
distributors, retail outlets and consumers across Oregon, Eola Hills Wine
Cellars has generated $40,000 over 2 years, and the current $20,000 is the
first of their grants.
According to Eola Hills' business manager, Eric
Rogers, "Eola Hills Wine Cellars believes that the education of our kids is of
paramount importance. The funding of critical programs in both public and
private schools has taken a hit in recent years due to diminishing tax funds
coupled with a sluggish economy. Although we are not the largest wine producer
in the state, we are thrilled by the amount of money we've been able to
designate for education."
Initial funding from Eola Hills is going to
the North Central Education Service District in Condon, Oregon. "North Central
Education Service District thanks Eola Hills for their concern and dedication
to the students of Oregon evidenced by their generous donation which will
provide training to increase student skills," stated Anthony Lanni,
superintendent of North Central Education Service District for Gilliam,
Sherman, and Wheeler Counties. "Literacy and language are the keys to all
learning, and we know that the Eola Hills Education Project will provide
teachers the needed tools to identify these skill gaps. We offer thanks, and
admire Eola Hills for their foresight and dedication to Oregon children."
Eola Hills is welcoming additional matching fund donors and has stated
their commitment to continue providing Oregon Education Assistance Fund grants.
For information on how to participate, go to
www.eolahillswinery.com or
contact Eric Rogers, eric-rogers@eolahillswinery.com,
800-291-6730.
Eola Hills Wine Cellars is on
highway 99 in Rickreall, just west of Salem and north of Monmouth. Established
in 1986, Eola Hills produces approximately 100,000 gallons of wine a year. Eola
Hills has been recognized by Wine & Spirits Magazine as one of the top 20
producers in the nation of "wines of great value."
DIBELS was "designed
to promote the development of critical skills in preschool age children to
support school success and prevent the occurrence of later academic and/or
social problems." More information can be found at www.dibels.org.
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