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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2001
CONTACT: corprel@freddiemac.com
or phone (703) 903-3933
FOUNDATION CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY BY OPENING DOORS TO 10 ENRICHING EVENTS FOR REGION’S CHILDREN
A Night at “Disney on Ice” Oct 15 is one of the 10 Free Events
Washington, DC – Today, the Freddie Mac Foundation announced
a unique gift to children and their families in the Washington,
DC metropolitan region in honor of its 10th anniversary.
“The Freddie Mac Foundation’s 10 for 10” program
will open the doors of 10 of the most exciting and enriching institutions
in the Washington area—free of charge to children and families.
With this “10 for 10” gift, Freddie Mac’s philanthropy
program has reached another major milestone—topping $100 million
in giving since its inception—a majority given here in the
DC metro region.
“Freddie Mac finances homes. Through our philanthropy, we
help make those homes happy and healthy places for children and
their families. As we recognize 10 years of the Freddie Mac Foundation,
I am proud of the work we have done, the more than one million children
whose lives we have touched, and our commitment to open even more
doors of hope and opportunity,” said Leland C. Brendsel, Chairman
and CEO, Freddie Mac, and Chairman, Freddie Mac Foundation.
Over the past decade, the Foundation has opened the doors of hope
and opportunity for 1.2 million children and their families throughout
the Washington, DC region and beyond. In just a single decade, the
Foundation’s work has helped prevent child abuse and neglect;
find permanent, loving homes for foster children; and transform
an inner-city school into a full-service community school.
“The Freddie Mac Foundation is a pillar of our community,
improving the lives of so many children over the years. Leading
by example, they give generously and from the heart. Today, we recognize
a decade of opening doors of hope to our region’s children
by proclaiming today ‘Freddie Mac Foundation Day’ in the
District of Columbia,” announced Mayor Anthony Williams.
Through “The Freddie Mac Foundation’s 10 for 10”
program, the children of the community will get to experience the
magic of Disney on Ice, learn more about the cultural heritage of
our city through the Black Fashion Museum, participate in tennis
workshops with top pros, and experience a pre-revolutionary working
farm, and more—all courtesy of the Foundation. Most of the
events are not ticketed except Disney on Ice’s Toy Story 2
on October 15. Tickets may be obtained by calling 1-800-344-9131.
The tickets are first-come, first-served and limited to four per
caller.
The Foundation has also worked to enhance each free event. For
instance, the Black Fashion Museum will also feature a street fair
in front of the museum where children receive hands-on demonstrations
with silk screening, jewelry making, and more. In addition, an ensemble
performance by a local musical group will provide insight into the
rich history of the Shaw neighborhood. Also, the Southeast Tennis
and Learning Center is hosting clinics with nationally acclaimed
tennis players.
The birthday celebration concludes with a Children’s Day at
Union Station on November 10th. This special event features
multi-cultural sounds of local musicians along with magicians, jugglers
and other entertainment. The musicians include Kevin Locke and the
Native American Hoop Dancers, Nen Taiko Drummers, Havana Select,
KanKouran West African Dancers, and Between the Lions’ group
The Vowelles…to name a few.
“We wanted to do something special for our 10th
Anniversary, so we will do what we do best…make a difference
for children. This gift will continue the Foundation’s tradition
of giving, and signifies our on-going commitment to children and
this region. We look forward to being a partner in our community
for decades to come,” said Maxine B. Baker, President and CEO,
Freddie Mac Foundation.
The events run over the next four weeks and include: Claude
Moore Farm in McLean—October 13; Discovery Creek Children’s
Museum in Glen Echo—October 14; Disney on Ice—Toy
Story 2 at MCI Arena—October 15; Black Fashion Museum
in DC—October 20; Southeast Tennis and Learning Center
in DC—October 21; National Aquarium in DC—October
24; Capital Children’s Museum in DC—October 27;
Family Day at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in DC—November
3; Frederick Douglass House in DC—November 4; and Children’s
Day at Union Station in DC—November 10. For more information
about these events, visit www.freddiemacfoundation.org or see the
calendar insert in the October 12th Washington Post Weekend
Section.
The Foundation began in 1991, giving 13 grants totaling $300,000.
This year, the Foundation plans to give nearly 180 grants totaling
$20 million. Unchanged since 1991 is the Foundation’s commitment
to serving at-risk children and their families. Examples of the
Foundation’s support include: Healthy Families America—a
premier home visiting and child abuse prevention program which Foundation
funding helped replicate throughout the region; Wednesday’s
Child—the weekly televised adoption program that features
foster children waiting to be adopted; Bright Beginnings—a
high-quality childcare for homeless children throughout the city;
and J.C. Nalle Community School—an elementary school
transformed by Foundation funding into a neighborhood epicenter,
offering a variety of services to children and families.
Created by Freddie Mac in 1991, the Freddie Mac
Foundation is dedicated to opening the doors to hope and opportunity
to children and their families. As one of the largest corporate
funders in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Freddie Mac and
the Freddie Mac Foundation have invested more than $100 million
in nonprofit organizations serving children and families.
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