"Jar Wars" at Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark Hotel Benefits Children's Hospital

The Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark Hotel helped raise over $500 with
its "Jar Wars" campaign where guests and staff could turn their excess
change into points and paper money to benefit Levine's Children's
Hospital.

According to Assistant General Manager, Joseph Blewitt, "Sarah Miller,
who is on our Engineering staff came up with this great idea to turn
something we probably all have sitting at home into actual dollars to
help our community and make it a brighter Christmas for the Children
of Levine."

Sarah along with her Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark co-workers
continued their holiday fund-raising efforts by also working with the
Children's Miracle Network Reindeer Raiders program. Donning antlers
and kicking up their heels, they helped to generate excitement and
additional dollars for Lite102.9's 10th Annual Our Kids Come First
Radiothon, which broadcasts live from the Levine's Children's Hospital
and shares heartwarming stories of the children, their families and
caregivers to help raise money for the hospital through the Children's
Miracle Network.

ABOUT THE RENAISSANCE CHARLOTTE SOUTHPARK HOTEL
A very experience-focused hotel, guests are welcomed at check-in with
a mini martini and a fresh-baked brownie or chocolate chip cookie!
Newly renovated, this property is located in the affluent Southpark
neighborhood, just a few minutes south of uptown Charlotte, North
Carolina. The hotel has 264 guest rooms, an indoor pool, fitness
center, Fountain Grille Restaurant, and Lobby Bar.

For more information, visit www.RenaissanceCharlotteSouthPark.com or
call (704) 501-2510.

Lighting of "The Living Trees" Begins Holiday Season: Groundbreaking in Late January 2010

More than 100 volunteers and donors were on hand tonight to watch
Ronald McDonald himself light "The Living Trees," officially kicking
off the holiday season at the future site of the Ronald McDonald House
(RMH) of Charlotte.

With this year's holiday season now in progress, RMH of Charlotte
officials are already looking forward to hosting the event next year
inside the House. That's because an official groundbreaking is
expected to occur the week of January 25, 2010.

"The RMH will become a place for families to be with other families
that are dealing with life-threatening situations," said Mona Johnson-
Gibson, Executive Director of the RMH of Charlotte. "This House will
make it possible for families to travel to Charlotte so their sick
children can receive treatment at both Levine and Hemby Children's
Hospitals without the worry of finding a place to stay. Next year, we
can't wait to have this party 'inside our new House.'"

The three Living Trees (a 3-foot Evergreen, a 6-foot Holly tree
[shaped as a Christmas tree] and a 12-foot deciduous tree) were
illuminated with red and yellow lights. They will be illuminated
every night until the end of the year. The Trees are more than just
symbols of the upcoming holidays; they will serve as living icons –
beacons of hope – for children and families who will use the House
after it is opens. The trees will then become focal points in its
landscaping. Construction of the House is scheduled to be completed
in late 2010 on the one-acre parcel of land, donated by Carolinas
Medical Center (the 1600 block of East Morehead Street). The lot
currently contains two structures that will be removed, making way for
the state-of-the-art facility.

About the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte
Currently, Charlotte is the only major U.S. city that does not have a
RMH. The RMH of Charlotte is scheduled to open in late 2010 and will
serve the families of children being treated at Levine Children's
Hospital and Hemby Children's Hospital. Located on the 1600 block of
East Morehead Street on land donated by Carolinas Medical Center, the
House will feature approximately 35,000 square feet of living space
complete with 28 bedrooms (one family per bedroom/suite), providing
more than 10,000 nights for the families. It is also scheduled to
have a community kitchen, great room, learning center, playground and
sitting porch. Construction will begin in early 2010. The RMH of
Charlotte is an independent 501 (c) (3) charity managed by a local
board of directors which will oversee construction and operation of
the home. The cost of building and operating the RMH of Charlotte
will come primarily from individual and corporate donations. The RMH
of Charlotte will be funded, constructed and operated by the Charlotte
community. The mission of the RMH of Charlotte is to provide the
families of children being treated in area medical facilities with a
safe, affordable and caring "home away from home." For more
information on RMH of Charlotte, visit www.rmhofcharlotte.org.

24 Hours of Booty to Open 2010 Event Registration Jan. 4 - Slots limited to first 1,200 riders

CHARLOTTE – 24 Hours of Booty, Inc., which runs the Official 24-Hour
Cycling Event of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, announced today that
registration for The Ninth Annual 24 Hours of Booty in Charlotte will
officially open on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.

The annual charity cycling event – geared for teams and individuals
and open to participants of all ages and skill levels – is scheduled
to roll on the "Booty Loop" in Myers Park from 7 p.m. Friday, July 30
to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 31, 2010. Event registration will be capped
at the first 1,200 registrants. Carolinas Medical Center's Blumenthal
Cancer Center is the presenting sponsor of this year's event where
participants gather at the Queens University of Charlotte athletic
fields for camping, food and fun. For more information about
fundraising commitments and to register for the event, visit www.24hoursofbooty.org
.

"24 Hours of Booty has become a great tradition in the Charlotte
community as we all join together to raise money for amazing cancer
organizations, so we are excited about kicking off the new decade by
launching our 2010 registration drive," said Basil Lyberg, executive
director of 24 Hours of Booty. "We anticipate the event registrations
closing early as in years' past and urge people to sign up now. We
appreciate the community's support and look forward to another
fantastic event this July."

In addition to the Charlotte event, 24 Hours of Booty will also host
the Second Annual 24 Hours of Booty of Columbia, Md. at Gateway
Business Park "Booty Loop" on Aug.28-29 and its inaugural event in
Atlanta on Oct.2-3. The location is still being determined for the
Atlanta event.

In 24 Hours of Booty's eight-year history, more than 6,000 riders have
raised more than $3.7 million. This year's event in Charlotte included
1,200 riders from 24 different states, and more than 250 volunteers.
Also in 2009, 24 Hours of Booty, Inc.raised more than $1 million with
events in Charlotte, N.C. and in Columbia, Md.

About 24 Hours of Booty
24 Hours of Booty, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charity
located in Charlotte that provides extraordinary cycling events that
are safe, fun, and open to all levels of cycling ability. Its mission
is to conduct 24-hour cycling events that increase public awareness,
funds, and support for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and local cancer
organizations. Local organizations include The Keep Pounding Fund at
Carolinas Medical Center and the Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas in
Charlotte, and the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults and Johns
Hopkins Medicine in Columbia, Md. For more information, call
704-365-4417 or toll-free at 877-365-4417, or visit www.24hoursofbooty.org
.

Get updates and the inside scoop about 24 Hours of Booty! Follow us on
Twitter at www.twitter.com/24hoursofbooty and become a 24 Hours of
Booty "fan" on Facebook.

131 Main & Latta Pavilion Hosting Breakfast with Santa

Latta Pavilion and 131 Main Restaurant in Dilworth are getting into
the Christmas spirit by hosting a very special guest.

Santa Claus is taking time out of his busy schedule to be at Latta
Pavilion on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009, and he wants to have breakfast
with all the good boys and girls. A breakfast buffet will be served
between 10 and 11:30 a.m. at 131 Main Restaurant, located at 1315 East
Blvd. Breakfast is $3.95 for kids and $4.95 for adults. To put a
child's name on "Santa's list," please email social@131-main.com.

Following breakfast, Santa will be located outside between 131 Main
and East Boulevard Bar and Grill until 5 pm. During the day, several
Latta Pavilion establishments will be offering holiday specials
including 131 Main, Petal and Peek A Boo Couture. For more
information, please call 704.343.0131.

About 131 Main Restaurants
131 Main is an upscale casual dining restaurant serving updated
American classics with an emphasis on fresh food. Its relaxed
ambience, reasonably priced menu and extensive wine list have made 131
Main the ideal place for a business lunch, a quiet evening out, drinks
with friends, or dinner with the family. 131 Main has four locations
– Cornelius (Lake Norman), Charlotte (Blakeney and Dilworth), and
Asheville. A fifth location is scheduled to open in early 2010 in
Raleigh. Captiva Restaurant Group, formed in 2004, founded, owns and
operates 131 Main. Based in Cornelius, NC, Captiva Restaurant Group
was founded by its three principals: Joe Douglas (CEO), Michael Vaughn
(COO), and Chris Carlsen (CFO). For more information, visitwww.131-
main.com.

City of Charlotte Committee Assignments Announced

Charlotte, NC - Mayor Anthony Foxx announced committee assignments for
the 2009-2011 Charlotte City Council. Committees include five groups
to support Council's Focus Areas and three others to address budget,
government affairs and City government efficiency. These committees
evaluate and make recommendations affecting policy before they are
deliberated among the full council.

Housing and Neighborhood Development: This committee provides
comprehensive initiatives designed to foster economic development and
improve quality of life issues in Charlotte's neighborhoods and
business areas.

Committee members: James Mitchell (Chair), Warren Turner (Vice
Chair), Michael Barnes, Warren Cooksey, and Patrick Cannon.

Community Safety: This committee focuses on initiatives to
proactively identify and address issues related to crime, disorder,
and personal safety to ensure citizens feel safe in the areas where
they live, work, and spend their leisure time.

Committee members: Patrick Cannon (Chair), Patsy Kinsey (Vice Chair),
Susan Burgess, Andy Dulin, and Edwin Peacock.

Transportation and Planning: This committee focuses on the City and
region's transportation network including roads, mass transit,
pedestrian and bicycle connections as well as planning to address our
region's transportation infrastructure.

Committee members: David Howard (Chair), Michael Barnes (Vice Chair),
Warren Cooksey, Susan Burgess, and Patsy Kinsey.

Economic Development: This Committee works to provide direction that
supports development of an educated and trained work force, fosters
partnerships to aid local economic growth, retains and attracts
quality businesses, supports business development and contributes to
the economy.
Committee members: Susan Burgess (Chair), James Mitchell (Vice Chair),
Nancy Carter, Patsy Kinsey, and Andy Dulin.

Environment: This Committee focuses on City policies for air and
water quality, land preservation, and energy and resource conservation
by adopting best practices and delivering public services in a manner
based on sound environmental practices.

Committee members: Edwin Peacock (Chair), Nancy Carter (Vice Chair),
Susan Burgess, David Howard, and Andy Dulin.

Budget: This Committee works with City staff to review and prioritize
issues affecting the City's budget.
Committee members: Michael Barnes (Chair), Andy Dulin (Vice Chair),
David Howard, Edwin Peacock, and Nancy Carter.

Restructuring Government: This Committee examines policies and
programs in order to provide citizens the best service at the lowest
cost and highest efficiency.

Committee members: Warren Cooksey (Chair), Patrick Cannon (Vice
Chair), James Mitchell, Patsy Kinsey, and Warren Turner.

Government Affairs: This Committee discusses opportunities and
initiatives to pursue with State and Federal government in support of
City priorities.

Committee members: Nancy Carter (Chair), Warren Turner (Vice Chair),
Susan Burgess, Andy Dulin, and Patrick Cannon.

N. C. Secretary of Commerce Crisco to Speak at CEM Dec. 18

Matthews, N.C. - CEM Corporation, a leading global company
specializing in scientific solutions for critical laboratory
applications, will host J. Keith Crisco, the North Carolina Secretary
of Commerce, at the company's world headquarters in Stallings on
December 18, 2009 at 10:00 am.

Crisco will speak to local officials, community and business leaders
about the state and local economies and the proposed development of
the Legacy Business Park in Union County. His visit to the county is
being coordinated by the Union County Partnership for Progress, Union
County's economic development agency, which is also coordinating plans
for Legacy Business Park.

Crisco will also recognize CEM Corporation for winning the 2009
Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award in the Greener Reaction
Conditions category for its Sprint™ Rapid Protein Analyzer. The media
are welcome and may ask questions.

"We are looking forward to Mr. Crisco's visit, which will in part
highlight some of the scientific innovation that exists right here in
North Carolina," said Michael J. Collins, president and CEO of CEM
Corporation. "It is essential that government, community, and business
leaders work together to create a climate that will attract more high-
tech companies to the state, and it is our hope that this visit by Mr.
Crisco will help promote a dialogue conducive to that goal."

"We also appreciate the recognition of the Sprint System as an
environmentally-friendly technology that can help eliminate millions
of pounds of chemical waste worldwide, including hundreds of thousands
of pounds currently produced in North Carolina by the performance of
conventional protein tests," said Collins.

A demonstration of the Sprint System and a tour of CEM's facility will
follow Mr. Crisco's presentation.

About the Sprint

The Sprint Rapid Protein Analyzer is a revolutionary technology that
will replace Kjeldahl as the primary method for protein determination.
Developed in 1883, Kjeldahl is a method for determining total nitrogen
content that utilizes large volumes of hazardous chemicals heated to
high temperatures for hours at a time, with the protein content
calculated from the nitrogen results. Sprint eliminates the need for
all of that by utilizing CEM's proprietary iTAG™ Technology to
directly "tag" the protein with a non-toxic, environmentally-benign
solution, yielding more accurate results in minutes. The adaptation of
the Sprint System for protein determination in foods will eliminate
the estimated 2.5 million kilograms of hazardous waste used in
Kjeldahl tests every year in the United States. The Sprint System uses
a method approved by AOAC International and the American Association
of Cereal Chemists (AACC).

About the Award

The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award is presented by the
United States Environmental Protection Agency annually in five
categories. The award recognizes outstanding technological and
chemical design innovations that incorporate green chemistry
principles and can be effectively utilized in industry for pollution
prevention. CEM is the first instrumentation company to win the award.
Previous winners include Pfizer, DuPont, Merck, Battelle, Argonne
National Laboratory, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, and BASF among others.

CEM Corporation is a private company based in Matthews, North Carolina
and the leading provider of microwave laboratory instrumentation
worldwide. The Company designs and manufactures laboratory systems for
bioscience, chemical synthesis, analytical, and compositional testing
applications, and in many instances, has helped reduce or eliminate
the amount of chemicals utilized in these applications. CEM's products
are used in the pharmaceutical, biotech, chemical, environmental, and
food processing industries, as well as in academic research. The
Company has subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and
France, as well as a global network of distributors.

UNC Charlotte Trustees Approve Financing Plan For Football

UNC Charlotte's Board of Trustees on Friday unanimously approved plans
to move forward with a football program in 2013. The proposal calls
for the university to borrow $40.5 million to construct a permanent
stadium and field house.

The decision came during the board's meeting at the new Student Union.

Prior to the board's approval, Chancellor Philip L. Dubois said while
the financing plan does require imposing higher fees on students, it
also offers several distinct and tangible advantages over other options.

Most notably, he said, the plan approved by the trustees would permit
the university to take advantage of a favorable bidding environment
for construction and historically low interest rates.

Other advantages include eliminating the need for rentals for things
like temporary bleachers, concessions and restrooms. It also could
stimulate interest in season ticket sales and private fund raising
efforts with donors and sponsors.

Before the vote, Dubois said the university had a rare opportunity to
take advantage of extremely low interest rates and a highly
competitive construction bidding market. He also urged the trustees to
view the proposal as a long-term investment.

"I'm concerned about student costs, of course," he said. "But to delay
this would kill it (football). We would have a hard time convincing
people three years from now that we are serious."

Several trustees also spoke in favor of the plan.

"I endorse it without any reservation," said trustee Karen Popp.

Since he began exploring the possibility of fielding a football team
more than two years ago, Dubois has spoken frankly about the financial
challenges. Most of the costs of a football program would be borne by
students and private donors because state law prohibits the use of
public money for building athletic facilities such as a stadium.

"This is a long-term strategic plan that will pay huge dividends for
students, alumni, faculty and staff at this vibrant university,"
Dubois said. "It will foster a full university experience that many
students crave as undergraduates.

"It also will help build closer relationships with our growing ranks
of UNC Charlotte alumni and the greater Charlotte community," he said.
"Despite the economic challenges facing us all, this university is
growing by leaps and bounds. We expect to have 35,000 students on
campus by 2020 and we have strong support for football. We expect that
will grow even stronger as we get closer to making it a reality."

Under the plan, students would begin paying an additional $50
operational fee beginning in the fall of 2011 for the football
program. That would increase by $50 per year to $200. An additional
$120 fee for debt service will begin in the fall of 2010 to cover the
costs to build training and practice facilities and a new stadium on
the campus.

Now the proposal must be approved by the UNC System Board of Governors
and it is also subject to review by the North Carolina General Assembly.

"We still have a long way to go, but this is an important first step,"
Dubois said after the vote was greeted by applause.

About UNC Charlotte UNC Charlotte is North Carolina's urban research
institution. With an enrollment ranking it fourth among the 17 schools
in the UNC system, it is the largest public university in the greater
Charlotte metropolitan region. A doctoral institution, UNC Charlotte
serves the region through applied research, knowledge transfer and
engaged community service. For fall 2009, approximately 24,700
students, including 5,300 graduate students, were enrolled in one of
the University's comprehensive doctoral, master's or bachelor's
programs. Follow us on the Web at www.uncc.edu, through Facebook at www.facebook.com/UNCCharlotte
, Twitter at UNCCLT_News and our blog at http://
unccltnews.blogspot.com/.

Ray Evernham Makes Significant Donation, Joins RMH of Charlotte's Executive Board

CHARLOTTE - NASCAR legend Ray Evernham wants the Queen City and the
surrounding areas to get behind the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) of
Charlotte.

Not only is he asking for the public's support, but wants to lead by
example. Evernham announced this afternoon he was making a $250,000
donation to the RMH of Charlotte. This announcement was made during a
press conference held at the future site of the House (the 1600 block
of East Morehead Street). Not only did Evernham make a donation, but
he also announced he would be joining the charity's Executive Board.

The RMH is more than a charity to Evernham; it supported his family 18
years ago when his son, Ray J., was diagnosed with leukemia.

"When I was getting started in NASCAR, we were in the middle of moving
to Charlotte from New Jersey when we learned that Ray J. had
leukemia," Evernham said. "He needed treatment at Memorial Sloan-
Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. While Ray J. underwent his
outpatient treatments, the RMH put a lot of our concerns at ease and
allowed us to focus all our efforts on Ray J."

During a two-year period, Ray made 10 trips to New York City so Ray J.
could receive his treatments. Every time they arrived at the RMH,
they were always met "with open arms."

"We were treated like family," Evernham said. "That's why I urge
everyone to get behind this charity. The thought of having a sick
child is one of the most stressful feelings in the world; however,
that stress is reduced when you know you have a place to stay and
'friends' who will take care of you."

During the press conference, Evernham shared Ray J.'s story with the
crowd, who is now 18 years old, graduated from high school last May
and is cancer free.

Mona Johnson-Gibson, Executive Director of the RMH of Charlotte,
thanked Evernham for his donation and dedication to the charity.

"Ray is an inspiration to us all," Johnson-Gibson said. "We welcome
him to our board and look forward to providing the same type of
support and comfort here in Charlotte that the Evernhams received in
New York City."

Construction of the House is scheduled to be completed in late 2010 on
the one-acre parcel of land, donated by Carolinas Medical Center. The
lot currently contains two structures that will be removed, making way
for the state-of-the-art facility. An official groundbreaking will be
announced soon and is expected to take place after the first of the
year.

About Ray Evernham
During his more than 30 years in racing, Evernham has visited victory
lane as a driver, crew chief and car owner. After winning numerous
Modified titles and serving a successful stint with the International
Race of Champions, Evernham teamed with Jeff Gordon at Hendrick
Motorsports to create one of the most successful organizations in
NASCAR history. In seven years, they claimed three NASCAR Cup
championships and 47 victories. Evernham's hard work, dedication and
commitment resulted in Dodge officials knocking on his door in 1999 to
oversee Dodge's return to NASCAR Cup racing in 2001. It was a venture
that launched his eight-year career as a NASCAR team owner. Today,
Evernham is exploring other ways of expanding his motorsports legacy,
including broadcasting races for ESPN, managing East Lincoln Speedway,
designing a vehicle to go after the land-speed record for a piston-
driven car, helping develop young drivers and overseeing a museum and
entertainment facility in Mooresville, N.C.

About the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte
Currently, Charlotte is the only major U.S. city that does not have a
RMH. The RMH of Charlotte is scheduled to open in late 2010 and will
serve the families of children being treated at Levine Children's
Hospital and Hemby Children's Hospital. Located on the 1600 block of
East Morehead Street on land donated by Carolinas Medical Center, the
House will feature approximately 35,000 square feet of living space
complete with 28 bedrooms (one family per bedroom/suite), providing
more than 10,000 nights for the families. It is also scheduled to
have a community kitchen, great room, learning center, playground and
sitting porch. Construction will begin in early 2010. The RMH of
Charlotte is an independent 501 (c) (3) charity managed by a local
board of directors which will oversee construction and operation of
the home. The cost of building and operating the RMH of Charlotte
will come primarily from individual and corporate donations. The RMH
of Charlotte will be funded, constructed and operated by the Charlotte
community. The mission of the RMH of Charlotte is to provide the
families of children being treated in area medical facilities with a
safe, affordable and caring "home away from home." For more
information on RMH of Charlotte, visit www.rmhofcharlotte.org.

Mom Corps Opens in Charlotte with Former Wachovia HR Executives

Charlotte, N.C. - As jobless rates continue to climb across the
country, Mom Corps, a premier staffing solutions company, is expanding
and opening a franchise in Charlotte.

After working together for more than 16 years, three HR executives
recognized an excellent opportunity and a need in North Carolina to
open Mom Corps.

Bonnie Ceran, Stacy Keefer, and Gretchen Rost are the new Regional
Owners of Mom Corps Charlotte. A powerhouse team committed to
providing Charlotte area professionals a variety of contract work
opportunities and assisting area companies with the option of hiring
"on-demand" talent to meet their changing business needs.

Mom Corps provides companies direct access to top-tier experienced
professionals, not typically found through other channels, on a
contract or permanent basis. In turn, they provide professionals
challenging work in their respective fields through, contract,
flexible and permanent jobs that allow them to maintain greater work/
life balance.

"Mom Corps is an innovative, high quality brand and represents a niche
market previously untapped in the Charlotte area," said Keefer.
"Bringing this staffing model to our city is a natural fit for us, as
we bring a combined 60+ years of staffing and HR experience to the
business. Workplace flexibility will continue to become increasingly
more important both for professionals and for companies."

Prior to Mom Corps, the owners were colleagues at Wachovia in the
Human Resources Division.

The three partners previously managed the corporation's internal
contract staffing division known as FirstPlace. They developed and
implemented the function and expanded it to a $220 million line of
business that provided a key pipeline of talent and significant cost
savings to the organization.
Before joining Wachovia, each partner spent time in management roles
with national staffing and recruiting firms.

"We are excited to take our business to the next level and continue
growth through the development of our new franchise program in
Charlotte," says Mom Corps CEO and founder, Allison O'Kelly.
"Franchising is a recruitment strategy to attract motivated, invested
employees to Mom Corps."

The launch of Mom Corps' franchises is also timely considering the
predicted increase in demand for temporary staffing services this year
and in the future. "Uncertainty in the economy is making firms
reluctant to hire permanent employees," said Robert T. Sumichrast,
dean of the Terry College of Business at The University of Georgia.
"That adds to the demand for temporary and part-time positions, and
companies are increasingly relying on top quality staffing firms."

"Mom Corps is a progressive company. What we are doing today is going
to become commonplace in the future, as companies work to attract and
retain the best talent, while still keeping their cost structures in
line with changes in revenue. I am proud to be involved in this
cutting edge business model," says Ceran.

Mom Corps, founded in July 2005, provides professionals with tools and
information to evaluate their career choices as they seek non-
traditional employment. In just four years, Mom Corps' roster has
grown to more than 35,000 candidates nationwide seeking contract and
flexible work schedules, and its client base has expanded to several
hundred companies, including Fortune 500 firms. Despite current
economic conditions, O'Kelly expects both to double in 2010 through
business initiatives and the franchise arm.

"The Mom Corps system works because it supports both the needs of the
client and the candidate. The client receives cost effective, "just-in-
time" talent at the level of coverage needed, while supporting the
flexible working needs of professionals." says Rost.

The Charlotte team are active members of the Society of Human Resource
Management, Charlotte Area Professionals and the Charlotte Chamber in
addition to other community organizations.

For more information on Mom Corps in Charlotte, please email
momcorpscharlotte(at)momcorps(dot)com or visit the website at www.momcorps.com
.

Two CMS programs to benefit from Wells Fargo donation

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Wells Fargo had an early holiday gift for Charlotte-
Mecklenburg Schools on Tuesday, Dec. 8. The bank announced a $500,000
donation to Mecklenburg Citizens for Public Education's School
Leadership Fund. The money will be split to support two CMS programs:
New Leaders for New Schools and Parent University.

"This was an incredible surprise," said CMS Superintendent Dr. Peter
C. Gorman. "This has been a difficult budget year for us, as well as
many other local businesses and community agencies. A donation of this
magnitude will help us reach more families through Parent University,
as well as train new principals to lead high-needs schools."

Wells Fargo bought Charlotte-based Wachovia last year. Wachovia, now a
Wells Fargo Company, has been a partner with CMS for years, providing
financial assistance as well as volunteers and mentors in schools. The
bank provided $250,000 in seed money to launch Parent University in
the fall of 2008.

"The Wells Fargo Foundation has a major focus on funding public
education programs that help drive outstanding student achievement in
the classroom," said Jay Everette, community affairs manager. "We know
that effective leadership is critical at the individual school level,
so we support the New Leaders for New Schools program. And we know
that parents and guardians play a huge role in ensuring the academic
success of their children. That is why we continue to fund Parent
University. It enhances the connection between teacher, parent or
guardian and student with improved academic performance as its end
objective."

Parent University was created with the goal of increasing parent
involvement in schools and helping parents raise successful children.
Since its launch, 14,150 people have participated in courses. In
addition, 12,000 parents participated in the fall and spring family
fun and information days offered through Parent University.

New Leaders for New Schools is a nationally recognized non-profit
organization which trains effective educators to become successful
principals in high-need schools. New Leaders announced its partnership
with CMS in December of 2008. The six-year agreement will bring CMS
and New Leaders together to recruit, select, train and support more
than 50 highly talented and motivated new principals to lead high-need
schools in Charlotte.

Wells Fargo announced the donation during its 2009 Spirit of Caring
Breakfast. The CMS donation was part of $6 million presented to 15
Charlotte-area nonprofits.