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November 29th, 2004 (4:30pm-5:30pm) - Approximately 100 students, grades one through six, in Communities In Schools of Philadelphia's After-School Enrichment Academy at John Hartranft School , 720 West Cumberland Street in Philadelphia , Pa participated in CHIP & COOKIE Reading takes you everywhere! Chip & Cookie are "Ambassadors of Reading" encouraging children to read and learn together. They believe that books help create a solid foundation for a successful and enjoyable life. They embody the warmth, love and positive feelings that every child needs and deserves. In this live-action visit, Wally Amos shared the joys of reading aloud with children. The ensuing discussion helped reinforce the positive self-esteem that comes with increased literacy skills and encourages the children to expand their knowledge through the world of books.
Wally Amos is an icon and his name is a household word. As founder of Famous Amos Cookies in 1975 and father of the gourmet chocolate chip cookie industry, he uses his fame to support educational causes. Since 1979 Wally has been A Literacy Advocate. He is also a Board Member of the National Center for Family Literacy and Communities In Schools . Wally is an acclaimed author and his works have been seen in the New York Times, Ebony Magazine, Time Magazine, Black Enterprise, Newsweek, Wall Street Journal, and People Magazine. Wally has also been on The Today Show, 20/20, Good Morning America, Larry King Show CNN, Oprah Winfrey, and Hollywood Squares.
Wally Amos has been the recipient of many honors and awards. Here are just a few.
- Smithsonian Institution's Business Americana Collection - he gave the shirt off his back and his battered Panama hat (Picture of shirt and hat in Smithsonian)
- Johnson & Wales University - Honorary Doctorate in Education
- Medaille College - Honorary Doctorate in Education
- Babson College Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs - Induction
- Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans - Induction
- The President's Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence - Award
- The National Literacy Honors - Award
Communities In Schools of Philadelphia, (CISP) Inc. is one of over 200 independent, non-profit affiliates of Communities In Schools, Inc., (CIS) the largest stay-in-school network in the United States and one of the nation's leading advocates for young people and their families, helping to make a dramatic difference in the lives of millions of students across the country. CISP is devoted to serving Philadelphia's youth by blending community resources with schools in order to create the CIS Basics : 1) A personal one-on-one relationship with a caring adult ; 2) A safe place to learn and grow ; 3) A healthy start and a healthy future; 4) A chance to learn a marketable skill to use upon graduation ; 5) A chance to give back to their peers and community.
CISP administers over 100 initiatives, all in collaboration with the School District of Philadelphia (SDP), agencies of the federal and state government and a large number of other non-profit organizations and community-minded businesses. Since its integration into the SDP over 18 years ago in 1986, CISP has served tens of thousands of high school and middle school students.
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