PPG Foundation awards $150,000 grant to support literacy

Ray LeBoeuf shared smiles and his love of reading with children Wednesday as part of “Read Across America Day.”

March 4, 2005 - When he was a youngster, his mother would take Ray LeBoeuf to the library every Friday. Those trips to the library ignited what would become a lifelong love for reading.

“I still make time every day to read for enjoyment,” LeBoeuf, PPG chairman and chief executive officer, told the 20 children gathered around him Wednesday at the Children’s Family Care Connection Center in Braddock, Pa. Then he read “The Rainbow Fish” to the children as part of a “Read Across America Day” literacy celebration sponsored by the PPG Industries Foundation and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation.

During the event, Children’s foundation announced that the hospital’s literacy program has received a three-year, $150,000 donation from the PPG Industries Foundation. In recognition of PPG’s support, the program will be renamed PPG Healthy Stories. The literacy program is in its fifth year and has reached more than 4,000 children. It fosters language development and literacy by providing books to children and encouraging storytelling and listening skills.

“The ability to read is a very special gift, and all of us from PPG feel very good that we can share it with others and help them achieve their full potential,” LeBoeuf said.