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Shanghai, China & College Park, Md. - November 27, 2009 -
Students and alumni from the University of Maryland's Robert H.
Smith School of Business in Shanghai successfully held the third
annual Team Maryland Charity Fundraiser Dinner at Hyatt on the
Bund Hotel on November 27 in support of The Library Project, a
non-profit organization that provides books and libraries to schools
and orphanages in remote or impoverished areas in China. This
year, the funds raised by the event will be used to build approximately
15 rural libraries in Anhui province, Maryland's sister state.
"We are proud to see our alumni in China devote their time
and talents to benefit education and youth literacy," said
G. "Anand" Anandalingam, dean of the Robert H. Smith
School of Business. "It is our hope that all Smith students
achieve great success both in their careers and through their
positive contributions to society."
 More
than forty companies, including platinum sponsors Black &
Decker, Marriott International, United Family Healthcare, Jaguar,
DeWalt, Wall Street English, Land Rover, Under Armour, Hyatt on
the Bund and Microsoft donated products and services that were
auctioned off at the charity event. The Team Maryland Charity
Fundraiser Campaign is also proudly sponsored by the Maryland
Center, the official representative office of the State of Maryland
in China.
"This year's Charity Fundraiser Dinner coincides with the
30-year anniversary of the sister state relationship between Maryland
and Anhui Province," Mr. Ning Shao, Smith School China Director
and Chief Representative of the State of Maryland in China told
the audience at the Fundraiser Dinner, "30 years ago Anhui's
leader Mr. Wan Li, and Dr. John Toll, University of Maryland President
worked together to form one of the very first sister state relationships
between US and China. Tonight's charity event is simply the best
way celebrate this historical relationship and the genuine and
friendly feelings between the Chinese and American peoples."
"We are extremely thankful for the support from Team Maryland
and all the sponsors and donors who made contributions to this
3rd annual fundraiser - it has become one of our major annual
projects," said Tom Stader, founder of The Library Project.
"The fact that we raised more this year than last goes to
show that even in a difficult financial environment giving to
those in need still brings out the best in all of us."
To date, the Library Project completed its 200th elementary school
installation and plans to have 225 installed by the end of 2009.
The Smith School's alumni fundraiser benefits schools that will
each receive a gift of 500-1000 Chinese-language children's books,
plus furniture or additional construction as needed.
About the University of Maryland's Robert
H. Smith School of Business:
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized
leader in management education and research. One of 13 colleges
and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith
School offers undergraduate, full-time and part-time MBA, executive
MBA, executive MS, PhD and executive education programs, as well
as outreach services to the corporate community. More information
about the Robert H. Smith School of Business can be found at www.rhsmith.umd.edu.
About THE LIBRARY PROJECT:
The Library Project donates books and libraries to under financed
elementary schools in China. They believe education is the key
to breaking the cycle of poverty that exists in the developing
world. As they see it, education is change.
Their goal is to develop The Library Project into an organization
that helps empower millions of children every year through the
gift of education. This goal will take an enormous amount of dedication,
planning, and hard work. They need your help.
More information is available at www.library-project.org
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