The Conductive Learning Center (CLC) will be awarded $20,000 on Friday, November 3, 2006 as a recipient of the Rite Aid Taking the First Step Initiative.

John Ritch, president of the CLC Board of Directors offered on behalf of the school, "the Center is thrilled to begin a partnership with the Rite Aid Foundation. This grant represents the continued growth and sustained momentum as we mark a ten-year anniversary."

The check will be presented to the CLC by representatives of Rite Aid - Fred Hinz, Regional Vice President, and Sandra Essex, District Manager - as part of a larger event, the 2006 Fall Wine Fest hosted by NOTO’S Old World Italian Dining. Proceeds from the November 3 event will benefit the Conductive Learning Center and the Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan.

The Conductive Learning Center, 2428 Burton St. SE, provides opportunities for preschool and school-aged children with motor challenges like cerebral palsy – to achieve optimal physical, cognitive and social independence through the application of conductive education principals. The CLC operates in collaboration with the International Peto Institute in Budapest, Hungary and Aquinas College. The Peto Institute began the conductive education method in the 1950’s.

This is the first grant awarded to the Conductive Learning Center from the Rite Aid Foundation. Since its inception, the Rite Aid Foundation has given $4,171,376 to local non-profit organizations dedicated to improving lives through projects that focus on health care, women and families.