PORTLAND, Ore. – Pacific Power’s charitable arm, the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning, has donated $15,000 to Junior Achievement Columbia Empire Inc. to sponsor 22 classroom programs in 2006.

“Through Junior Achievement, students can better understand the connection between their community and the free-enterprise system,” said Anita Decker, PacifiCorp vice president and Junior Achievement board member. “Children really respond to what they learn about the economy and finance in the Junior Achievement programs. For many students, it influences their interest in what kind of work they want to do and even owning a business some day.”

According to Junior Achievement, the number of teachers requesting a program exceeds demand, but the program still reaches 30,000 students in 200 schools in 44 districts throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. It recruits volunteers, primarily from the business community from diverse backgrounds to provide programs in the classroom for elementary, middle and high schools throughout the region.

Junior Achievement programs are well-known nationally and internationally for their ability to teach students about free enterprise: business, economics, entrepreneurship, ethics, leadership, character, life skills, citizenship and financial literacy.

The PacifiCorp Foundation awards four annual grant cycles to nonprofit organizations for programs in the areas of education, health and human services, arts and culture, and civic and community betterment. For more information, visit www.pacificorpfoundation.com .

Media inquiries: newsdesk@pacificorp.com .