PRESS RELEASE

LAS VEGAS – Andson Inc., a local non-profit dedicated to improving financial literacy and academic achievement among at-risk students, expanded their Piggy Bank onsite banking program to two CCSD schools; C.H. Decker Elementary and Laura Dearing Elementary. The expansion includes a “ Bank on Wheels” at Laura Dearing Elementary, utilizing a specially retrofitted bus donated by Regional Transportation System (RTC). Each week during Piggy Bank banking students at both schools walk up to a counter, like a real bank, and deposit money into a savings account with the assistance of program staff and volunteers. Students’ deposits are kept by Silver State School Credit Union in master accounts where they, and their families are able to keep track of their savings and set financial goals; The Piggy Bank program includes a financial literacy curriculum that teaches students valuable skills, such as identifying wants versus needs, budgeting and saving. At the end of the 5th grade, students are given the option to converting their Piggy Bank savings into a regular account, or withdrawing their total savings in the form of a check.

The Piggy Bank Program is funded through community partnerships with Silver State Credit Union (SSSCU), Cathay Bank Foundation, NV Energy Foundation, John Ben Snow Memorial Trust, One Nevada Credit Union and Andson fundraising activities. The Piggy Bank expansion was partially funded through a $40,000 grant from SSSCU’s partner bank, Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco through the AHEAD program grants.

“With the addition of our new Bank on Wheels, our goal is to expand the program to more underserved students in our community and help them on the path to success,” said Anthony McTaggart, COO and co-founder of Andson, Inc. “We’re grateful for our community partners for their help expanding such a critical program for our local students.”

Prior to the expansion, Piggy Bank operated at three CCSD Elementary Schools; Walter Bracken Elementary, Hollingsworth Elementary and Walter Long STEAM Academy. In addition to operating the Piggy Bank program, Andson offers no-cost after school homework help and intervention services at academic tutoring at 15 locations across southern Nevada.

What: Opening of new Piggy Bank and ribbon cutting ceremony

When & Where:

Wednesday, Jan. 31, 10 a.m.
C.H. Decker Elementary School
3850 Redwood Street
Las Vegas, NV 89103

Thursday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m.
Laura Dearing Elementary School
3046 Ferndale Street
Las Vegas, NV 89121

MEDIA OPP:

• Interviews and b-roll opportunities with Piggy Bank students
• Interviews with principals/teachers involved with Andson Piggy Bank program.
• Interviews with Andson Inc. leadership.

For more information regarding Andson, Inc. and the Piggy Bank program, please visit www.andson.org.

About Andson, Inc.

Andson, Inc. is a local nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the education level of students by delivering financial literacy programming and academic intervention. Since inception in 2009, the Team has developed innovative, targeted programs , emphasizing personal success and social mobility to over 60,000 youth across Southern Nevada.

During the 2016-2017 school year, Andson provided academic assistance and financial capabilities education to over 10,000 students. These services are offered at no cost to families, and made possible by way of grants, donations, and collaboration with organizations such as Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada, , St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, Clark County School District, Las Vegas Clark County Library District Foundation , the LGBTQ Center, the City of Las Vegas, and the City of Henderson.

For more information on Andson Inc., please visit www.andson.org, facebook.com/andsonfoundation,and twitter.com/andson_org.