A boost for library at Fairhill School

By DAFNEY TALES
Philadelphia Daily News

talesd@phillynews.com 215-854-5084

Sometimes Comcast provides things other than high-speed Internet service.

Comcast employees donated more than 1,600 books to Fairhill Elementary School, 6th and Somerset streets, in Kensington, and the corporation provided four computers and a laser printer as part of their involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters' program called Beyond School Walls program.

Forty-five employees volunteering as big brothers and big sisters - or "Bigs" - discovered the school library devoid of books during a trip to the school last year and started a book drive, said Marlene Olshan, chief executive of the mentoring program.

To match the efforts of its employees, the company donated the computers.

Mike Wigo, whose little brother, Hansel, 10, a fifth-grader, is an avid reader, said he "didn't know why they didn't have books. We went back and we took care of business."

Hansel added:

"I just finished reading three books," he said listing titles including "Spiderwick," "Treasure Island" and "The Kite Flyer." He promised to use the library often.

The Beyond School Walls program, which pairs companies and schools for activities, job shadowing and mentoring opportunities, has helped to forge ties, said Charisse Lillie, executive vice president of the Comcast Foundation.

"These children are very smart, they're very talented," Lillie said. "They come to Comcast and they realize there's potential. They see there are things they can do outside their community."

The school's principal of two years, Luisa Garcia-Soler, said she's grateful not only for the new materials, but also for the lasting impression the mentors have made on her students.

"It's made a large difference in attendance, behavior . . . perception in terms of their attitude toward assignments. It's had an impact."

As a result of the success in Philly, the company will expand to four additional Comcast markets this fall, said spokesman John Demming.

Mentoring goes a long way, said state Rep. Tony Payton Jr., who attended the ceremony.

"I am a cheerleader-in-chief for Big Brothers Big Sisters," he said noting his relationship with "little brother" Amil, 14.

"We would hope that everybody would follow the Comcast model and expose young people to the business world like what they're doing in Beyond the Walls. And the reverse exposure is important as well."

Later, about a dozen "Big Brothers" shucked their suit jackets, rolled up their sleeves and tossed around footballs in the gym with their so-called "Littles."

One student raced toward an adult who pretended to tackle him, but he whipped past him, shrieking in joy, while his classmates cheered him on.

"Today, it's about what's right in the world," said Olshan.

"It's all about relationships."

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