The AMETEK Foundation—the charitable arm of AMETEK Inc., a global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electric motors based in Paoli, Pennsylvania—has long supported efforts to improve early childhood literacy in schools and libraries near its plants and facilities.

The AMETEK Foundation began its partnership with American Reading Company in 2001 with its support of early literacy for students in the Binghamton, NY, School District. That year, the AMETEK Foundation donated $133,000 to bring the 100 Book Challenge to 30 classes at two schools near one of its aerospace instrument plants. An integral part of the program, then and now, is volunteer support of AMETEK employee reading coaches. The Binghamton City School District provided additional funding to deliver the program to grades K–3 in all of its elementary schools.

The combination of leveled books, student choice, parental involvement and incentives has been a winning one for the students in Binghamton, where after one year of implementation, the 100 Book Challenge program became a core component of the school district’s elementary reading program.

The program has since been expanded to grades K–5, with the AMETEK Foundation continuing to fund its two initial elementary schools. At the end of the 2005 school year, 1200 students who reached reading milestones during the year were recognized at a special ceremony held before the start of a Binghamton Mets minor league baseball game.

During the 2002–03 school year, an AMETEK Foundation grant of $162,000 brought the 100 Book Challenge to 30 K–3 classrooms in Rochester, NY, where AMETEK manufactures electronic instruments used by the power generation industry. The sponsorship continued into the 2003–2004 school year, with the school district providing additional funds to expand the program into 79 classrooms at three schools.

“These types of partnerships are important because the community needs to see the learning that’s going on in schools, especially in high-poverty areas where there may be fears or misconceptions about public education,” comments Deb Rath, site coordinator for one of the Rochester schools. “Our children need to know that there are people out there who care about them. That helps them to establish positive relationships with adults other than their teachers or parents.”

The AMETEK Foundation further expanded its support in 2004 by providing a $96,000 grant to the Panther Valley School District in Nesquehoning, PA, to bring the 100 Book Challenge to children near its Nesquehoning chemical products plant.

“The AMETEK Foundation was pleased to bring the 100 Book Challenge to the Panther Valley school district and to reach even more children at risk for falling behind in reading and literacy,” noted Frank S. Hermance, AMETEK Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Director of the AMETEK Foundation.

“Reading unlatches the door to future success. It’s our hope that the AMETEK Foundation grant will provide children in Nesquehoning and nearby communities with a better opportunity for a successful future.”

For the upcoming 2005–2006 school year, the AMETEK Foundation already has committed to support the 100 Book Challenge in 12 classrooms at two elementary schools in West Chicago, Illinois, where the 100 Book Challenge will be used to support English, Bilingual and Dual Language classrooms.

“We are thrilled to work with a partner who shares our goals of improving literacy for all children,” says Jane Hileman, the Founder and CEO of American Reading Company. “The AMETEK Foundation’s generosity is helping thousands of children develop reading skills that are critical to success in life beyond school. AMETEK’s support is an invaluable gift to those communities.”