Chapters: Summer 2006
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Contents
- Eyes on the Page: Following the Books
- Thank you to our Community Partners
- Dish Up Literacy on August 3rd!
- VISTA Stories across Washington
- Up & Coming : Check out our up & coming events
- In Appreciation: Thank you to our supporters
Eyes on the Page
Two students share their experiences of receiving Page Ahead books
After fifteen years of giving new books to children in need, we wanted to find out how some of those children’s lives have been changed by reading. Kim Backlund, Learning Specialist at Jackson Park Elementary in Bremerton, found two 5th grade students who were happy to share their experience with Page Ahead books.
"I love getting free books because it helps me read even more," says Jakub Liebig. "The books improved my reading so I can read more challenging books like ‘The Hobbit’ and other amazing books." "I think you are doing a good thing," says David Strait, another 5th grader from Jackson Park. "I think it’s good to encourage kids to read. You sure encouraged me to read a lot more than I used to. Now, I love reading. It’s one of my favorite subjects!"
"My reading skills have got way better because I’m reading way cooler books that are harder. I’m thinking about reading ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’" said Jakub. David added: "I read a lot faster now, and I don’t struggle with the words. Having more confidence in myself has made me a better reader."
"I am thinking about starting a reading club with ‘Goosebumps’ books," said Jacob. "They are chillers. They always have mysteries, and something weird happens at the end." David, however, likes to read his books silently to himself. "I’d rather just be able to look down at the book and picture what the story is talking about."
Jakub and David agree that being a good reader helps with other subjects. "Because you can’t do math, language, or other subjects without having to read, because you have to read the questions," David said. According to Jakub: "It helps me read the math books better and helps me learn the math words. It has improved my reading and writing. I want to write a story by mixing some of the books together to make a better mystery. I have always wanted to know what it is like to publish a book. I like making comic books. I push video games aside and think about what I have to read to help me with my writing ideas."
Thank you to our Community Partners
Page Ahead thanks Executive Women International for their extraordinary efforts on behalf of children’s literacy. Anna Liotta, Past President of EWI, organized book drives at various businesses around King County, and through the generosity of the EWI members, brought in more than 300 books, and over $1,000 in donations. The book drives culminated with a reading event for the children of Mount View Elementary. Executive Women International is committed to reading and literacy issues, providing volunteers and support for reading programs across the nation.
Thank you to all the fitness centers who participated in this year’s Fit to Read book drive. Inspired by the Presidential Fitness Challenge which promotes the benefits of healthy minds and bodies, Fit to Read kicked off on Presidents’ Day and ran through National Fitness month. Raising nearly $600 in donations and collecting nearly 300 books, Fit to Read succeeded due to the efforts of fitness clubs around Washington State, including Seattle Athletic Club and 10 Curves locations!
The Pi Beta Phi Alumnae have long been a staunch supporter of literacy and Page Ahead. This year the group produced one of their most ambitious events to date, the Walk for Literacy. The walk-a-thon was coordinated by Pi Beta Phi alumnae from around Puget Sound, and was attended by both alumnae & collegiates, benefiting Page Ahead. The Pi Phis plan to make the walk-a-thon an annual event, and have already begun planning the 2007 Walk for Literacy. In addition, Pi Phi alumnae have adopted Northgate Elementary, attending reading events and helping to distribute books from Page Ahead. Throughout the year, the Pi Phi members have contributed more than $3,000 to support Page Ahead programs. Page Ahead is grateful for the energy and support of the wonderful women of Pi Beta Phi.
On April 22, the students of The Overlake School honored Page Ahead as the beneficiary of their Annual Overlake Benefit Concert. Attended by 150 people, this ambitious concert raised more than $2,600 to provide books for at-risk children. Since 2001, students at The Overlake School have planned, produced and performed in a concert to raise funds for local charities.
Thank you to the following organizations for hosting book drives during our 10,000 Books for 10,000 Kids Campaign:
- Ballet Spokane and interPLAYERS
- Book-It Repertory Theatre
- Edmonds Book Shop
- Elliott Bay Book Company
- Matheny Chiropractic
- Parametrix
- Rainier Valley & West Seattle Kiwanis
- Santoro’s Books
- URS Corporation
Dish Up Literacy!
August 3, 2006
Visit www.DishUpLiteracy.org to check out which restaurants near you have pledged to donate at least 10% of their proceeds to benefit Page Ahead on Thursday, August 3rd. By eating out that day, you, your family, and your friends can make it possible for deserving kids to own new books.
New this year, is an opportunity to enter to win a week-long travel package for four, including roundtrip airfare (courtesy of Alaska Airlines) and accomodations at a WorldMark Resort.
Learning to read never tasted so good!
We are proud to announce that the Executive Alliance honored Page Ahead with the Evergreen Award for Outstanding Community Service this year at the 12th annual Washington State Nonprofit Conference.
VISTA Stories across Washington
This year, Page Ahead’s VISTA members in Olympia, Yakima and Spokane have created exciting new events and partnerships to provide new books for kids; workshops for families; and reading resources for communities.
In Tacoma and Olympia, Govinda Rosling initiated a Banking for Books campaign, where local banks and credit unions partnered with Page Ahead to collect books for children in need. Twenty-three banks and credit unions participated in this campaign, including the Boeing Employees Credit Union who sent volunteers to local reading events.
In Yakima, Tiffany Dyer hosted Story Times for 200 kindergarteners. These are children who have been able to count on a regular and fun reading routine throughout the school year. Tiffany was impressed with the children’s questions and accurate predictions about the stories. She also valued her growing relationships with the children as they shared the stories from the books and their own lives.
For the second year in a row, Sabrina Scott and Sarah Johnson partnered with Gonzaga University in Spokane. This year, Gonzaga’s Student Athletic Service Committee hosted a book drive at a women’s basketball game. The drive brought in 847 new books, but Gonzaga’s involvement did not stop there. At an event marking Page Ahead’s 50,000th book given away in Spokane, four Gonzaga basketball players read stories to children at Bemiss Elementary.
up & coming
july 28: Seattle Storm book drive
Donate a new children’s book at this game against the Detroit Shock, and you can enter a drawing to win a luxury suite for 20 for the August 3 game agains the Washington Mystics.
august 3: Dish Up Literacy!
Participating restaurants will donate at least 10% of the day’s proceeds to benefit Page Ahead. Visit www.DishUpLiteracy.org for an up-to-date list of restaurants and meals.
september 1 - 30: National Literacy Month!
Organize a book drive to help kids get back into the school groove. Email us to find out how, info@pageahead.org.
In appreciation:
The following generous contributions were received between February and May 2006. An asterisk (*) indicates that all or a portion were in-kind donations.$500 - $999
Meena Cheng
Brooke & Will Doyle
Carlos Herrera
Stephanie & Peter Karpiak
James & Michelle Kelly
Kris Lambright & Tim Hevly
Eric & Jennifer Gouge Larsen
Sandra Matthews
Parametrix
Parametrix employees*
Pi Beta Phi Alumnae
Piper Jaffray Matching Gifts
Robert Knetzger Family Trust
Jeffrey Running
Safeco Matching Gifts
James Savitt
Alyson Cook Stage
Starbucks Coffee Company employees*
$1000 - $9999
Alaska Airlines*
Albertsons/RIF/Coca-Cola*
Jerry Anches
The Baker Foundation
E.K. & Lillian Bishop Foundation
The Boeing Company
Mary Jo & Jim Bruckner
Jim & Marilyn Cook
Expedia, Inc.
The Gottfried and Mary Fuchs Foundation
Patricia & Paul Gordon
Sarah Jane Gunter
Harer Family Trust
ChenSteinO’MalleySven Foundation
Janson Foundation
Jeannette Jarvis
Jason Jones
Florence Kilworth Foundation
Microsoft employees
Microsoft Matching Gifts Program
Overlake School Benefit Concert*
Paul Lauzier Charitable Foundation
Russell Investment Group
Seattle Sonics and Storm*
Beryl Simpson*
Washington’s Lottery*
anonymous*
$10,000 and above
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Norcliffe Foundation
Scholastic, Inc*
The Seattle Times*