Above from left, Jacob Inkel, Cameron McCue, Emma Locke-McAllister, Alicia Socia, Amber Waterman, Andrea LaMarche, Leilani Blanchard and Raven Draper, all Albany Community School students, enjoy a RIF day by receiving a new book; below, Irasburg School eighth graders Dustin LaBounty and Aaron Lefebvre share the love of reading to students in grades K-4th grade at the RIF celebration.
Above from left, Jacob Inkel, Cameron McCue, Emma Locke-McAllister, Alicia Socia, Amber Waterman, Andrea LaMarche, Leilani Blanchard and Raven Draper, all Albany Community School students, enjoy a RIF day by receiving a new book; below, Irasburg School eighth graders Dustin LaBounty and Aaron Lefebvre share the love of reading to students in grades K-4th grade at the RIF celebration.
Above from left, Jacob Inkel, Cameron McCue, Emma Locke-McAllister, Alicia Socia, Amber Waterman, Andrea LaMarche, Leilani Blanchard and Raven Draper, all Albany Community School students, enjoy a RIF day by receiving a new book; below, Irasburg School eighth graders Dustin LaBounty and Aaron Lefebvre share the love of reading to students in grades K-4th grade at the RIF celebration.
COURTESY PHOTOS
Above from left, Jacob Inkel, Cameron McCue, Emma Locke-McAllister, Alicia Socia, Amber Waterman, Andrea LaMarche, Leilani Blanchard and Raven Draper, all Albany Community School students, enjoy a RIF day by receiving a new book; below, Irasburg School eighth graders Dustin LaBounty and Aaron Lefebvre share the love of reading to students in grades K-4th grade at the RIF celebration.
Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation's largest children's literacy nonprofit, selected Orleans Central Supervisory Union to receive a $3,256 grant for free book distributions and literacy activities benefiting Orleans County children and their families. The funds were raised during RIF's 2011 Be Book Smart campaign in partnership with Macy's.
In March of 2011, Congress eliminated $24.8 million in funding for RIF, having a significant effect on its ability to provide book distributions and literacy resources to families in need. Support from Macy's is critical to local programs like this one. Additional support from local communities, foundations, corporations and individuals will also be key toward helping RIF fulfill its mission of getting books to kids in need.
In low-income neighborhoods in the United States, there is only one book for every 300 children. Research shows that access to books and family engagement in reading activities are the single biggest factors toward ensuring a child's success in school -- and the future.
Nancy Piette, coordinator of the OCSU RIF program, said, "I have been involved with this book program since my children entered graded school over 13 years ago, and when Congress eliminated funding for RIF in 2011 I was concerned for seven schools in the Orleans County that were involved with this program. With the gracious help of RIF, Daniel Osborne Regional unit manager, East Region located another Book Grant quickly for us to fund our program, where over 600 students receive three free books in a school year to foster the love of reading at school and home.
The students have been working on sending thank you notes and bookmarkers to the Burlington, Vt. Macy's store on Cherry Street in support of funds received for this program. Debbie Johnson created a large thank you "cow" balloon, for all students at the Irasburg School to sign which will be displayed at the store too. Without Macy's generous support, this literacy program would not allow our students to enjoy a new free book through the year. Book distributions are taking place in December 2012 and January 2013."
Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF), founded in 1966, motivates children to read by working with them, their parents, and community members to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life. RIF's highest priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8. Through community volunteers in every state and U.S. territory, RIF provided 4 million children with 15 million new, free books and literacy resources last year. For more information and to access reading resources, visit RIF's website at www.rif.org.
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