Walden Media Donation to Shopa Kids in Need Foundation Brings "Charlotte's Web" into Greater Cincinnati Classrooms.

An Attempt to Break a World Record Will Be Made by Readers of the Children's Book

DAYTON, Ohio -- Teachers and students at Title 1 schools in the Greater Cincinnati area are receiving free books and educator guides of the beloved children's story, "Charlotte's Web", through a donation made to the SHOPA Kids In Need Foundation by Walden Media, LLC. The donation, valued at more than $105,500, consists of copies of the award winning book by E.B. White and educator guides containing special puzzles, games, and activities to accompany classroom study of "Charlotte's Web". The donation is in conjunction with the release of a new movie of the novel and an attempt to break a world reading record.

The books and educator guides donated to the Foundation are being distributed by Crayons to Computers, a free store for teachers that serves 356 schools in the Greater Cincinnati area. Crayons to Computers is one of 21 such stores that are members of the SHOPA Kids In Need Foundation's National Network of Resource Centers. The Cincinnati store provides free school supplies to 75,000 students annually and has been recognized nationally for its effectiveness and efficiency.

"We never know what interesting donation will come through the door," said Shannon Carter, president and CEO of Crayons to Computers. "We've received everything from telephone cords to life-sized plastic goats to sophisticated teacher training materials. The teachers are very resourceful and design educational activities out of the most unusual donations. But the basic school supplies are always, always useful, and books are certainly well received."

"The SHOPA Kids In Need Foundation is most appreciative of this donation from Walden Media," said Penny Hawk, managing director of the Foundation. "Besides providing basic school supplies, we are especially pleased when we can provide extra learning opportunities to students served by the Resource Centers. Plus, this particular donation allows students to participate in events that go beyond the classroom."

On Wednesday, December 13, 2006, at 12 noon (EST), students, educators, librarians, and fans of "Charlotte's Web" will gather in schools, hospitals, libraries and community centers to read a passage from E.B. White's classic tale of friendship, kindness, selfless giving, and miracles. It is the hope of Walden Media that "Break a World Reading Record with 'Charlotte's Web'" will introduce this wonderful story to a new generation and reintroduce the story to fans who haven't read it since childhood. Information about how to participate can be found at www.walden.com.

The donation to the SHOPA Kids In Need Foundation and Crayons to Computers is part of a larger donation of books and educator guides being made to Title 1 schools in major cities throughout the nation.

A Paramount Pictures and Walden Media presentation of a Kerner Entertainment Company/Nickelodeon Movies production, "Charlotte's Web" is directed by Gary Winick, stars Dakota Fanning, and features the voices of Julia Roberts, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Oprah Winfrey, Cedric the Entertainer, Andre Benjamin, Thomas Haden Church, Robert Redford, Reba McEntire, and Kathy Bates. "Charlotte's Web" is a new, live-action adaptation of E.B. White's beloved classic, which is the best-selling children's paperback of all time. In "Charlotte's Web", a very small pig finds that the most powerful force in the world is the bond of friendship. The film has been rated G by the MPAA and will be in theaters nationwide on December 15th, 2006.

The story by E.B. White is about Wilbur, a pig and the runt of the litter. He has a youthful manner that makes him seem naE[macron]ve to the other animals in his new barn, but to Charlotte - the spider who lives in the rafters - he is a welcome friend. Their friendship is shown to be a lasting one when the other animals reveal that the pig's days are numbered. It seems that only a miracle will save Wilbur's life. A determined Charlotte spins words into her web in an effort to convince the farmer that Wilbur is "some pig" and worth saving.

About Walden Media, LLC

Walden Media specializes in entertainment that sparks imagination and engages young people in the learning process. Producing both original works and adaptations of acclaimed children's literature, Walden Media projects are enhanced by comprehensive outreach and supplemental programs for teachers, librarians, and parents. Walden Media is a division of Anschutz Film Group (AFG).

About Crayons to Computers

Crayons to Computers (C2C), chartered in 1996, bridges the gap between the great need and excess resources. The mission of C2C is to ensure that children and classrooms in the Greater Cincinnati area have the basic tools for learning by transferring, at no cost, the community's surplus supplies and merchandise into the hands of teachers and school children in need. It is the vision of C2C that every child is provided with the quantity and quality of supplies needed to succeed in school. With the help of an army of dedicated volunteers, C2C distributes more than $6 million worth of supplies to local classrooms in need each year.

About SHOPA Kids In Need Foundation

SHOPA Kids In Need Foundation is a national non-profit organization providing school supplies to impoverished children and under-funded teachers. A 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 1995 by the School, Home, & Office Products Association (SHOPA), the Foundation's mission is to recognize, promote, and support initiatives that foster educational excellence. The National Network of Kids In Need Resource Centers includes 21 facilities that allow teachers from low-income schools to obtain free school supplies for their students. In addition, Kids In Need Teacher Grants provide K-12 educators with funding to provide innovative learning opportunities for students. The SHOPA Kids In Need Foundation has distributed more than $200 million in school supplies since its founding, directly benefiting 1.3 million students and 75,000 teachers annually, and has awarded more than $660,000 in grants to teachers. For more information, visit www.kidsinneed.net.

About SHOPA

SHOPA, founded in 1991, is a nonprofit trade association representing nearly 900 manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, commercial/contract stationers, and service companies involved in the production, distribution, and sale of school supplies and office products. The Association also produces SBTS (SHOPA Buyer-to-Seller) Marketplace events, which facilitate pre-scheduled and one-on-one meetings. SHOPA, in cooperation with Messe Frankfurt and PROPAPER, is producing Paperworld USA in June, the international trade event for the school and office products industry. For more information, visit www.shopa.org.