(Baltimore, April 4, 2019) With exclamations of oooh and aaah preschoolers from Catholic Charities Head Start of Baltimore City toured the American Visionary Arts Museum (AVAM) and marveled at sculptures ranging from the giant, pink puffy poodle named FiFi, the mosaic-covered station wagon, and the family of robots. The beret-wearing preschoolers – ranging from 2 to 4 years-old – joined teachers and parents for this spectacular field trip thanks to the Museum and PNC Bank’s Grow Up Great initiative, an initiative to assist connect with underserved children ages 5 and younger.

Catholic Charities Executive Director Bill McCarthy joined PNC Regional President for Greater Maryland Laura Gamble and the museum’s director, Rebecca Hoffberger, to greet the children, teachers, and volunteers. A team of museum staff and PNC volunteers helped the preschoolers create their own artwork.

This field trip marks the 15th anniversary of PNC’s commitment to investing in early education through Grow Up Great.  

“We are so grateful for the support of PNC Bank through its grants and the staff that reads to our children, visits our classroom and even helps beautify our grounds,” said Mary Gunning, program director of Catholic Charities’ Head Start of Baltimore City. 

Bill McCarthy, Executive Director of Catholic Charities; Laura Gamble, PNC Regional President Greater Maryland and Rebecca Hoffberger, Founder and Director of the American Visionary Art Museum.

Bill McCarthy, (c) Executive Director of Catholic Charities; with Laura Gamble, (l) PNC Bank’s Regional President Greater Maryland and Rebecca Hoffberger (r), Founder and Director of the American Visionary Art Museum.