Elementary Students Make the Holidays Brighter at Children's Hospital

   WHO:  Prospect Elementary School Third-Grade Class

   WHAT:  Book Presentation Children's Hospital

   WHERE: Prospect Elementary School

   WHEN: Friday, December 23, 2005, 10:00 a.m.

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 22, 2005 -- In the holiday spirit of sharing and helping others, a third-grade class at Prospect Elementary School, Mount Washington, decided to raise money to purchase books to donate to Children's Hospital. On Friday, December 23, at 10:00 a.m. Dr. Andy Nowalk of Children's Hospital will visit with the students at Prospect Elementary School to receive the books on behalf of Children's Hospital.

"The reason we raised money is so that we can buy books for kids at Children's Hospital. This is the time of year to give gifts to others, and this is a pretty cool gift! When there aren't any good videos to watch, the kids there will be able to read a really good book!" said 9-year-old Diondre Farris. "Sometimes it gets boring there, so this will give them something else to do."

The instructor, Maureen Fischer, contacted Sue Kapusta, General Manager of Community Affairs at United States Steel Corporation, to see if they would be interested in partnering with her class in a program she developed to encourage reading and good citizenship.

"We were very pleased to respond to her request," said Kapusta. "Not only does this effort instill in children the true meaning of Christmas, but also teaches them the value of reading and community spirit."

U.S. Steel agreed to sponsor the students by donating $1.00 for every book the students read in a three-week period. The 17 students read a total of 155 books during the period, raising enough money to purchase 36 books.

The students, Mrs. Fischer, and Mrs. Kapusta met at the Downtown Barnes and Noble, where they made personal selections to donate to Children's Hospital. Eight-year-old Taylor Stadelman said, "If I was in Children's Hospital on Christmas, and a class gave us new books, I would be surprised!" Added 9-year-old John Tucker, "It makes me feel great because I can help make another kid happy if he can't be home on Christmas!"

In addition to the books, wrapped courtesy of Barnes and Noble, the students created hand-made Christmas cards to enclose with their gift packages. "I hope you enjoy reading this book," wrote Miranda Piccolino, aged 8. "Maybe by the time you're done reading it, it will be time to go home!"

INTERVIEWS/PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE

CONTACT: Maureen Fischer, instructor at Prospect Elementary, 412-488-4680

PRNewswire - Dec. 22

SOURCE: United States Steel Corporation

Web site: http://www.ussteel.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/929150.html