Computers awarded to deserving families to assist in the continued development and education of their school children

Dallas, TX--(HISPANIC PR WIRE)--December 26, 2007--El Hispano News’ “Parents Step Ahead” program announced a donation of 21 computers by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. to assist in the continuation of the program’s educational outreach initiatives for 2008. “Parents Step Ahead” is a program aimed at educating, enabling and empowering parents to take a proactive role in the lives of their children.

“We are most grateful to Wal-Mart for their continued support of our program. This generous donation of 21 desk top computers and printers allows us to continue our mission of recognizing, educating, enabling and empowering parents within our community on the importance of their involvement in their child’s life,” said Lupita Colmenero, founder of “Parents Step Ahead” and publisher of El Hispano News. “The digital divide continues to exist among minority groups and underprivileged communities, which we would like to help close.”

As part of this effort, six schools participated throughout the year in five half-day events in Dallas, Fort Worth and Garland, Texas in an effort to educate parents on the importance of being involved in the education of their children. The events were held at:

-- Arcadia Park Elementary School: April 21, 2007
-- D. McRae Elementary School and T.A. Sims Elementary School: September 29, 2007
-- E.M. Daggett Elementary School: October 20, 2007
-- Bullock Elementary School: November 10, 2007
-- Moises Molina High School: November 17, 2007

“We are proud to see the positive impact that “Parents Step Ahead” continues to play in the lives of hundreds of families in local communities,” said Roger Guzman, senior manager of Hispanic markets, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club are honored to have the opportunity to help provide parents with the necessary tools to play a critical role in the continued development and education of their children.”

A total of 13 computers were awarded to parents throughout the calendar year. Six computers were raffled off during the school events and seven more computers were awarded at the “Parents Step Ahead” Parents of the Year award ceremony dinner on December 6, 2007 at the Renaissance Hotel in Dallas. The remainder of the computers will be distributed in 2008.

The 2007 Parents of the Year winners are:

-- Rosa Elena Saldaña de Martinez from DISD.
-- Juan Zuniga from FWISD.
-- Francisca Perez from FWISD.
-- Apolonia Garcia from FWISD.
-- Cathryn Record-Horn from FWISD.
-- Virginia Benavente from GISD.
-- Esperanza Aguiro from DISD.

Parents wishing to be considered as a “Parent of the Year” must be actively involved in the program and submit an essay highlighting why parental involvement is essential to the educational success of a child. Their child must also submit an essay on why they believe their mom or dad should be selected as the parent of the year. The awards ceremony marks the conclusion of the 2007 “Parents Step Ahead” program. Additional school events in Dallas, Garland, Fort Worth and Irving are scheduled for 2008. For more information please visit http://www.parentsstepahead.org.

About El Hispano News
El Hispano News is the oldest Hispanic publication in the Dallas-Fort Worth area; serving the Hispanic community since 1986. Please visit: http://www.elhispanonews.com.

About Parents Step Ahead
A community outreach initiative aimed at educating, enabling and empowering parents to take a proactive role in the educational and personal development of their children. Please visit http://www.parentsstepahead.org

About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Every week, millions of customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, Sam’s Clubs or a subsidiary location in 15 countries around the world. In each of the countries where Wal-Mart operates, the company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of operating globally and giving back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $270 million to these local communities. To learn more, visit http://www.walmartfacts.com, http://www.walmart.com or http://www.walmartfoundation.org.