WQED Multimedia and Family Communications, Inc. Take A Look Back To Showcase the Spirit of Giving During This Holiday Season

WQED Multimedia and Family Communications, Inc. Take A Look Back To Showcase the Spirit of Giving During This Holiday Season

Reporters Also Given Look Ahead at WQED's Technological Future

CONTACT: Rosemary Martinelli -- 412-622-6433; Rmartine@wqed.org
George Hazimanolis -- 412-622-1366; Ghaziman@wqed.org

WHO: WQED (the nation's first community-supported television station)
and Family Communications, Inc. (producer of Mister Rogers'
Neighborhood)

WHAT: "Big ... BIG" announcement of a permanent gift to Pittsburgh

WHERE: WQED Studios, 4802 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh (Oakland section, next
to Central Catholic High School); Fifth Avenue in front of WQED
will be closed starting at 10:30am to accommodate the
announcement/event

WHEN: Monday, December 18, 2006 -- 11:30am

WHY: WQED has been the home of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood for more than
40 years. Fred Rogers -- Mister Rogers -- encouraged children to
grow into "caring, compassionate and giving neighbors." As a symbol
of Fred Rogers' spirit, this gift will serve the community as a
reminder of the Neighborhood values -- generous giving and gracious
receiving -- a timeless message for everyone.

The gift also serves as a reminder to Pittsburghers of the heritage
of WQED Multimedia -- for more than 52 years the organization has
been in the forefront of firsts in programming and in trailblazing
new paths in community service and new production technologies.

Reporters attending the announcement saluting WQED and Family
Communications' history are also cordially invited for a "sneak
peek" at WQED's "future" inside the WQED studios.

HOW: WQED Multimedia and Family Communications, Inc. will also celebrate
the season by giving more than 1000 special holiday gifts to anyone
who attends the morning announcement and to drivers and passersby on
Fifth Avenue, in front of the WQED headquarters, along the closed
portion of Fifth Avenue, until 1:00pm, or until the gifts are all
given away.

Mr. McFeely, the "Speedy Delivery" man from Mister Rogers'
Neighborhood, will start the festivities when he arrives at WQED
aboard a trolley at 11:30 am. With him will be third grade students
from Turner Elementary in the Wilkinsburg School District. The
students will be part of the "BIG" announcement by participating in
the festivities with the staff and management of WQED and Family
Communications, Inc.

About WQED Multimedia and Family Communications, Inc.

WQED Multimedia, honored with the Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award for Station Excellence and eight other Emmy Awards in 2006, provides quality products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within its community and around the world. It is the parent company of WQED tv13 (PBS), WQEX tv16, WQED fm89.3, WQEJ fm89.7/Johnstown, a publishing division that includes PITTSBURGH magazine, local and national television and radio productions, www.wqed.org and the WQED Education and Community Resource Center.

Family Communications, Inc., a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1971 by Fred Rogers as the production company for Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and related projects. Along with supporting the continuing broadcast of the Neighborhood series on PBS, our work has expanded through early childhood trainings, publishing, and new technologies. All our work perpetuates the values and philosophy of Fred Rogers. Respect for healthy emotional, social, and intellectual development is at the core of all we do.

PRNewswire -- Dec. 12
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: WQED Multimedia

Web site: http://www.wqed.org/

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