``Lord of the Rings'' Star Sean Astin Debuts as Verizon Literacy Champion Benefiting National Center for Family Literacy at a Reception in L.A. on Oct. 22.

Entertainment Editors/Business Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 13, 2003

Verizon Contributes $30,000 to L.A. Valley College

Scholarship on Actor's Behalf

"Lord of the Rings" star Sean Astin is taking up the battle to promote literacy and raise funds by advocating for family literacy issues across the nation as the Verizon Literacy Champion benefiting the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL).

Astin, who plays Samwise Gamgee in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, will be donating his time to empower adult learners to improve their literacy skills.

Verizon Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm, recognized Astin's commitment with a $30,000 grant to establish the Sean and Christine Astin Literacy Champion Scholarships, which will go to adult learners to attend Los Angeles Valley College. Astin is an alumnus of the college.

Astin will be honored and the scholarship will be announced at a reception at the college at 11 a.m., on October 22. The college is located at 5800 Fulton Ave., Van Nuys.

"I play many roles - parent, actor, literacy advocate - but my most important role is reading to my child," Astin said. "This is why I am the National Center for Family Literacy's Verizon Literacy Champion. My role in this endeavor is to encourage parents to create good reading habits in their home; to model how to enjoy good books, to read with their children and to make reading a fun activity."

Astin, son of actress Patty Duke, is known for such performances as Mickey in "The Goonies" and the title role in "Rudy." In addition to being a successful actor and director, Astin is a dedicated father and advocate for family literacy.

"NCFL is deeply appreciative of Sean and Verizon's commitment and support in this important endeavor," said Sharon Darling, president and founder of NCFL. "Increasing family literacy is critical to ending the cycle of poverty and under-education. We are proud to have such outstanding advocates partnering with us to make this important change."

"Verizon's longtime commitment to NCFL is strengthened by the addition of Sean Astin as a Verizon Literacy Champion," said Tim McCallion, Pacific region president for Verizon. "Through the scholarship program at Los Angeles Valley College, adult learners will not only be able to raise the standard of living for their families, but also set a powerful example of the importance of education for their own children."

NCFL partnered with the Los Angeles Valley College to create a scholarship program called "A Literacy Roadmap," which will support 15 adult students per year for two years. Recipients will be chosen based on familial need, availability and current education level, with the ultimate goal of establishing a legacy for family education. The scholarship will fund tuition, books, registration fees, transportation and childcare, if needed.

"Through our relationship with NCFL, we have developed a unique program that recognizes and addresses the real needs of adult learners," said Dr. Tyree Wieder, president of Los Angeles Valley College. "In addition to the scholarship funding, participants will have access to special counseling to monitor their progress, a mentor program, and tutors to work with parents and children in a family setting. We are not just giving away scholarship money; we're doing everything possible to ensure success."

    October 22, 2003 Schedule of Events
    Los Angeles Valley College
    5800 Fulton Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91401

    10:30 - 11:00 a.m.   Continental Breakfast, Monarch Hall
    11:00 - 11:45 a.m.   Sean Astin Premiere and Scholarship
                         Dedication, Monarch Hall

Please RSVP by October 20 to Anna Marie Johnson Teague or Michelle Ordeneaux Jones at 214-520-7550 or via email at [e-mail] or [e-mail].

Through the Verizon Literacy Champion program, NCFL has generated additional contributions from Parade Magazine, the most widely read magazine in America, reaching more than 75 million Americans each week, Houghton Mifflin, one of the leading educational publishers in the U.S., and PAGES Magazine, a leading publication written for the nation's avid book readers.

Please visit www.verizonreads.net/champions to view the public service announcement featuring Sean Astin benefiting the National Center for Family Literacy. If you are interested in receiving a copy of the PSA, please contact Ginger Wilding at 502-584-1133, ext. 147, or [e-mail].

About the National Center for Family Literacy

The National Center for Family Literacy has pioneered a program that combines children's education, adult literacy education, parent education and structured interaction between parents and their children. NCFL works to ensure that all families at the lowest ends of both the literacy and economic continua will have opportunities to improve their education and social well-being through quality, family literacy services. For more information, please visit our Web site: www.famlit.org or call the Family Literacy InfoLine: 1-877-FAMLIT-1.

About Verizon Reads

Verizon Reads is the umbrella organization for Verizon's national literacy platform. Verizon Reads is dedicated to the fight for a more literate America through meaningful programs that create awareness, raise funds and encourage collaboration among literacy providers. For more information on Verizon Reads, visit www.verizonreads.net.