ANAHEIM, CA - (October 5, 2010) - The City of Anaheim is proud of its 153 year history, and to celebrate,  4,000 third grade students participated in this morning's The Gift of History event at the Anaheim Convention Center, at the invitation of Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle.

The Gift of History is an opportunity for students to learn about the city in which they live and attend school.  In addition, the students learned valuable life lessons from special guests and participants, including Mayor Pringle, Anaheim Police Chief John Welter,  Anaheim K-9 unit officers and their dogs, Angels Baseball broadcaster Jose Mota, author Gail Eastman, Disney executive Lisa Haines, Anaheim Ballet, and players from the U.S. Men's and Women's National Volleyball Teams.  To close out the program, the children were greeted by famous Disneyland Resort characters, Mickey, Donald and Goofy.

"The Gift of History is an event I always look forward to attending," said Mayor Pringle.  "The students learn about Anaheim's history and have fun in the process.  Our sponsors make this possible, and I am grateful for their continued support of Anaheim's children."

Students from six school districts and private schools in Anaheim were invited to participate, and each child received a special children's history book, Anna's Home by the River, written by Eastman, and a backpack compliments of Office Depot Foundation.

The Gift of History is entirely charitably funded by sponsors including Office Depot Foundation, AT&T, The Disneyland Resort, Extron Electronics, Brookfield Homes, Muzeo, Anaheim Public Utilities, State Senator Lou Correa, UPS, Anaheim Disposal, Paul and Lisa Kott, Anaheim Ballet, Camfel, The Brandman Family, F2 Balloons, U.S. Men's and Women's National Volleyball Teams, Best Western Stovall's Hotels, Pacific Western Bank, and Jerry Zomorodian.

For more information please visit www.anaheim.net.  To see photos of today's event and to "like" the City of Anaheim, please visit the City's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cityofanaheim

Media Contact: Ruth Ruiz 714.765.5060more city news

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ABOUT ANAHEIM – The City of Anaheim, founded in 1857, is one of the nation's premier municipalities and is one of California's most populous cities. Anaheim covers 50 square miles with more than 343,000 residents and more than 2,950 City employees. The municipal corporation's annual budget is $1.5 billion. Anaheim supports a thriving business community with companies such as Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., L-3 Communications, Pacific Sunwear, and Disneyland Resort. Successful sports franchises call Anaheim home, including Angels Baseball, Anaheim Ducks, the U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team, the 2012 Olympic Games Silver Medal winning U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team, and the Professional Arena Soccer League Anaheim Bolts. Anaheim also boasts world-class meeting and entertainment venues with the Anaheim Convention Center, LEED-certified and the largest on the west coast, Honda Center, City National Grove of Anaheim, Anaheim GardenWalk, and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. In addition, Anaheim embraces its vibrant cultural arts community, including the world-renowned Anaheim Ballet. Annually, Anaheim welcomes millions of visitors to the city, truly making it where the world comes to live, work and play. For more information, please visit www.anaheim.net.

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