The Smith School of Business and Team Maryland is Proudly
Changing the World, One Book at a Time

Smith Students, Alumni and Friends Raise Funds to Promote Youth Literacy in China

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 yearĄŻs 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 ¨C 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.