In a week that will be filled with a lot of questions about the injuries involving the wide receivers corps, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco along with team president Dick Cass spent their Monday in the community giving back.
Cass, Flacco, and CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools, Dr. Gregory E. Thornton were front and center at Charles Carroll Barrister Elementary School #34 in Baltimore City to unveil the completion of the school’s library renovation.
Fully-funded by the Ravens Foundation, which continually works to help make Baltimore a better community, the new library features Ravens-themed design elements, a stadium inspired reading room, as well as new paint, walls, lighting, ceilings and flooring.
In addition to the renovation project, the school received new books and furniture, including tables, chairs, storage cabinets, shelving and a desk for its new full-time librarian.
That wasn’t all.
Each of the 370 students at Charles Carroll Barrister Elementary School were also given Ravens backpacks and a book to take home, which Flacco helped to hand out.
CCB Elementary School, located in the Washington Village neighborhood, affectionately known as “Pigtown,” in the Southwest District of Baltimore City, is an area in need of assistance, with approximately one-third of its residents living below the poverty line.
“Research has shown that reading proficiency is directly linked to graduation rates, which is why we encourage a love for reading beginning at an early age,” said Heather Darney, executive director of the Ravens Foundation. “Our hope is that all students will have access to the tools and inspiring space needed to develop a true passion for reading.”
In addition to funding the library, several Ravens employees volunteered their free time to lend a hand with the renovation this past summer. In anticipation of the students’ return to school, staff members teamed up to organize the library, set up the computer lab, and assisted with various projects around the school.
While Ravens season is just getting underway, their longstanding efforts in giving back to the community are a year-round duty, something the organization is very passionate about.
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