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Students at a Paying for College Bus Tour stop, Reading PA

School Night '02 raises nearly $3 million for thousands of deserving area children

Earth, Wind & Fire rocks the MCI Center in support of education

WASHINGTON, D.C, Oct. 04, 2002—School Night '02, Washington, D.C.'s premier fundraising event to build a brighter future for deserving local students, has raised nearly $3 million to afford area youth the opportunity to receive a superior education. The legendary Earth, Wind & Fire shared the stage with U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige, Fight For Children Chairman Joseph E. Robert, Jr., Sallie Mae Vice Chairman & CEO Albert L. Lord and local and national business leaders on Thursday Oct. 3 at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. Since 1998, School Night has raised $15 million to provide access to better educational opportunities for Washington, D.C. students through the funding of programs that support children throughout their educational journey—from preschool through high school to college.

Under the guidance of Fight For Children Chairman Joseph E. Robert Jr. and School Night Chairman Albert L. Lord, the area's business and government officials come together for education. Proceeds from the event support Pre-K literacy programs, Kindergarten through college scholarship assistance and college preparatory programs.

"Sallie Mae's core business helps to finance education dreams," said Lord of Sallie Mae, the nation's leading provider of education funding. "Our charitable arm, The Sallie Mae Fund is committed to minimizing the higher education access gap that we see coming in this decade for less-advantaged populations. Our support of School Night is a natural fit."

Legendary superstars of song, Earth, Wind & Fire entertained guests at School Night '02 along with "Goldy" of WBIG radio, who served as the evening's emcee.

U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige was awarded the 2002 School Night Academic Leadership Award for his outstanding commitment to public education and the preparation of teachers to excel in their profession as well as his exemplary work during his leadership of the Houston Public School System.

"School Night is proud to recognize Secretary Paige," said Robert. "He is able to bring the community together around an education reform agenda in a way that is seldom seen. He stands up and fights for children who do not have the power and voice to make change on their own."

School Night seeks to address the continuing educational challenges of the metropolitan area by providing assistance to programs that support educational success. This year's donations will benefit 11 D.C. organizations to assist students from preschool through high school to college: AppleTree Institute for Educational Innovation; The Archdiocese of Washington Tuition Assistance Program; The Bruce Monroe College Fund; Capital Partners for Education; District of Columbia College Access Program; Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund; Latino Student Fund; Norwood School; The Seed Foundation; The Shepherd Foundation; and Washington Scholarship Fund.

To request photographs of the event for reproduction, please contact Kimberly Lane at 703/245-3565.

For more information, contact:
Stephanie Tew 703/810-6810

The Sallie Mae Fund, a charitable organization sponsored by Sallie Mae, achieves its mission—to increase access to a post–secondary education for America's students—by supporting programs and initiatives that help open doors to higher education, prepare families for their investment, and bridge the gap when no one else can. For more information visit www.salliemaefund.org.

Fight For Children was founded in 1990 by Joseph E. Robert Jr., to create a brighter future for children by helping them access excellent education, healthcare and mentoring opportunities. The 501 (c) (3) supports best-in-class organizations in these areas via the following: event management and development, strategic alliance building by spearheading the education reform effort "Capital Gains" and donor cultivation. Over the past 12 years, Fight for Children has raised more than $52 million to over 130 youth serving organizations in the national capital region through its widely acclaimed events, which include Fight Night and School Night. For more information, visit www.fightforchildren.org.