Ascentra Credit Union Provides $10,000 Grant for Free Literature Festival
October 11, 2017
DAVENPORT, IOWA – A loud roar of excitement filled the River Center in Davenport as roughly 900 students from grades 3 to 6 cheered in preparation for a day of engaging conversations with authors at the 2017 David R. Collins Children’s Literature Festival on Tuesday, Oct. 3.
Students were treated to presentations from best-selling author Bruce Coville and internationally acclaimed author of children’s nonfiction, Kelly Milner Halls. Other presenters included Gary Metivier, Belinda Holbrook, Ryan Collins, Mary Meinking Chambers, B.J. Swartz and Connie Heckert.
The Ascentra Credit Union Foundation provided a $5,000 grant which helped make this a free event for all students in attendance. Each classroom that attended also received a bag of books for their library or classroom.
“Whether it’s through partnerships with area libraries on reading programs or giving out scholarships to our members, we are big supporters of reading and education initiatives that help uplift our young people,” said Dale Owen, Ascentra President and CEO. “This is such a wonderful festival that aligns itself nicely with our foundation’s mission, but most importantly it encourages our future leaders to be creative.”
This is the second year Ascentra Credit Union Foundation has provided a grant to the festival, committing a total of $10,000 to this annual event. For more information about the mission of the foundation visit ascentra.org/foundation.
PHOTO: Author Bruce Coville discusses creative writing techniques during a breakout session at the 2017 David R. Collins Children’s Literature Festival.
About The Ascentra Credit Union Foundation:
Established in 2013, the Ascentra Credit Union Foundation was created to honor the memory of Ascentra Credit Union President & CEO Paul Lensmeyer and to meet the charitable and educational objectives of the Board of Directors of the credit union.
The mission of the Ascentra Credit Union Foundation is to improve the quality of life for the membership of Ascentra Credit Union and further the philanthropic outreach in the communities the credit union serves. The focus of the foundation is on funding work to enhance youth development, expand credit education opportunities, foster community development, support cultural activities, and invest in ways to enhance the financial viability of the underserved. More information can be found at ascentra.org/foundation.
About Ascentra:
Founded in 1950, Ascentra Credit Union is Iowa's premier credit union with more than $414 million in assets and 10 branches serving the communities of Bettendorf, Clinton, Davenport, Le Claire, Muscatine, Iowa and Moline, Ill. Learn more about Ascentra Credit Union at ascentra.org. Follow Ascentra on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and on Instagram @ascentracu