*EASY TWEET:.@RedskinsCR to build library with @tdjf & @HeartofAmericaF to enhance literacy tools and technology at @LBECDC!*

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. –LaSalle-Backus Educational Campus will welcome more than 50 volunteers from the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation and the Dale Jr. Foundation to celebrate the grand opening of the brand-new LaSalle-Backus library on Friday, April 20. Redskins Owners Dan and Tanya Snyder, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Redskins players Arie Kouandjio, Anthony Lanier II, Nick Sundberg, Josh Docston and Samaje Perine are scheduled to attend.*

LaSalle-Backus Educational Campus was selected as the beneficiary of this project because of their hard work and commitment to literacy in the 2017 – 2018 Redskins Read Program. The Redskins Read Program is an incentive-based reading program for teachers to use alongside preexisting curriculum to help 4th and 5th grade students reach their reading goals. More than 23,000 students in 137 schools participated in the program this school year. Participating schools receive monthly student incentives, prizes, player visits and more courtesy of the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation.

Over the past several weeks, Heart of America worked with LaSalle-Backus staff and students to transform the former library into a vibrant learning center. Each Foundation, in addition to creative and construction partners, provided support to help bring to life this innovative space. The new library features a colorful new paint scheme, updated shelving, custom Redskins furniture items and custom graphics.

Volunteers from both foundations will be joined by Washington Redskins players and Dale Earnhardt Jr. at LaSalle-Backus to complete the new library with activities ranging from assembling furniture and decorating the space to sorting and stocking books. Additionally, students will participate in a Book Celebration, selecting four books for their home libraries. 

"Dale is a longtime Redskins fan and our Foundation is dedicated to providing hope to disadvantaged youth – so this was a perfect way for us to fulfill our mission while partnering with a team that is near and dear to Dale's heart," said Emily DiNunzio, Development Director for The Dale Jr. Foundation.

WHERE:         LaSalle-Backus Education Campus

                        501 Riggs Rd NE, Washington, D.C. 20011      

WHEN:           Friday, April 20, 2018

                        Library Build:  9:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

                        Ribbon Cutting Ceremony:  12:00 p.m.

                        Media Availability Begins:  11:00 a.m.

For more information on the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation's programs and events or to donate, visit www.redskins.com/community or follow the Foundation on Twitter at @RedskinsCR and Instagram at @redskinsgiveback.

Any questions regarding this event should be directed to Tish Carmona of Redskins Public Relations at carmonat@redskins.com or 703-726-7077. Media interested in attending the event should also contact Carmona.

*Additional player appearances TBD and are subject to change.