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10
Special
Tenth Birthday
FAMILY READING PARTNERSHIP NEWSLETTER
Edition! SPRING/SUMMER
2008
Now We Are Ten!
Diane Lebo Wallace
F
ood, clothing, shelter–and books! We believe books loves books!”
are, indeed, one of the basics for a good life, espe- “The Read-a-thon helped me broaden my reading
cially for babies and children. For ten years we at zone,” says a young reader who was part of this elemen-
Family Reading Partnership (FRP) have been tary school event for students.
giving books to families, reading books aloud, We have now placed more than
celebrating reading throughout our community 200,000 books into the hands of chil-
and recirculating gently used children’s books. dren! We know that our programs are
We have been welcoming newborns with a working to help families understand
book at birth, producing fun calendars and the importance of sharing with their
banners that encourage reading, providing doc- children the joy and excitement of
tors with books to give their young patients, reading together.
orchestrating book festivals, introducing kids to We are proud that we have also
authors, dressing up as loveable book charac- influenced other communities around
ters–and so much more. the nation to start family reading
We started with a bold vision: to build a partnerships of their own, using our
culture of literacy where all children in our We have given more than 200,000 books programs as inspiration.
to families in our area since Family Read-
community know the pleasure of books and ing Partnership began. As Jim Trelease, author of The Read-
being read to as part of everyday family life. Aloud Handbook, said of FRP, “Family
And we have made significant headway toward that goal. Reading Partnership is exceptional in the United States.
We know, for example, that a full two-thirds of local fami- Your organization should be held up as a national model
lies surveyed who registered a child for kindergarten credit for communities to say that this is what is possible to achieve
the Family Reading Partnership with influencing their when private and public work together for the good of chil-
attitudes toward reading. From talking with kindergarten dren and families.”
teachers we also know that more children in our commu- As we celebrate ten years, we also affirm and acknow-
nity are starting school ready to enjoy books and reading. ledge that “the book is just the beginning.” As FRP execu-
When we asked members of the community to tell us tive director Brigid Hubberman
how Family Reading Partnership has made a difference in explains, “The real power lies in IN THIS ISSUE
the lives of their families, we were flooded with enthusiastic the combination of the book, Director’s Words........2
responses from children, and from their moms, dads and the parent and child and the link Read-Along Songs.....3
caregivers. created between home and school Red Hot Gala............4
“FRP improves our lives in a million little ways,” says and family and community as a At Home with Books...4
one parent, who mentions the Bright Red Bookshelf, ban- result of enjoying the book. Katrina Morse...........5
ners around town, calendars and book gifts through the Books build relationships.” New WTSB...............8
Women, Infant and Children’s (WIC) program. For ten years we have dreamed
Read to Me Heroes...9
“FRP has helped us make books and reading a regu- of a day when all families in our
lar part of our life,” says another parent. “Our daughter community will read to their continued on page 9
Director’s Words
Happy Birthday Family Reading Partnership! There is so much
to celebrate! The ten-year story of the Family Reading Partnership
is truly an amazing and inspiring one. It is a story of visionary yet
practical dreams, hope and hard work, challenges seen as opportu-
nities, determination and more determination, local and national www.familyreading.org
impact and, of course, many families and children and thousands BOARD OF DIRECTORS
of books in between. Bobbie Schneider–President
Karen Powers–Vice President
It is remarkable that in our first ten years more than 200,000 Christy Ludlow Hilker–Treasurer
Marty Turnbull–Secretary
beautiful children’s books have gone to families or, as we have come Mary Baker
to say so often, into the hands, homes and hearts of children. We Michael Bend
Brigid Hubberman want each book to carry with it the message that snuggling up and Maureen Boyd
Executive Director, Jessica Casey, DO
Family Reading reading aloud to your child as a special part of everyday family life Daphne Cornell
Partnership is one of the most important and fun activities you can do. Anne DiGiacomo
Barbara Eshelman
The Family Reading Partnership is most of all a powerful story John Longhouse
Melissa Pruitt
about community and collaboration. We knew early on that for our Rita Rosenberg-Barber
vision of a “culture” of literacy to become reality, it would take all Roger Sibley
Rich Steinacher
of us. From the very beginning, with all our hearts, we believed that Elizabeth Stilwell
“together we are better,” and each and every day we have acted out Lisa Swayze
that motto. Indeed, in these fast-paced ten years, this community- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
wide team with a reading dream has joined forces with virtually Brigid Hubberman
every sector of the community to create reading magic. To all of ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
you we are most grateful! Katrina Morse
PROGRAM COORDINATORS
With the support of dedicated staff, committed volunteers and Lisa Berry
Mary Milne
community partners, the culture of literacy that we imagined has
OFFICE COORDINATOR
grown and grown. Reflecting on all that we have accomplished in Kaye Stone
these past ten years, I can say to you with great confidence that CONTRIBUTING AND EDITING
with your continued support and involvement, Jackie Dowdell
the best is yet to come! Emily Rhoads Johnson
Diane Lebo Wallace
FRP staff
LAYOUT/DESIGN
Katrina Morse
Family Reading Partnership Programs
Books Before Birth Books to Grow On Welcome to Kids’ Book Fest “Read to Me”
& Books at Birth Doctors give young School Book The community comes Banners & Calendars
Every expectant family families a book Kindergartners together to celebrate Reading together
receives a book at a pre- at each well receive a new children’s books at images are made
natal visit and another visit with a book at this fun, into large banners
book from the hospital prescription registration annual and calendars
when their to “read to their as a gift event. to spread the
baby children 20 from their message
is born. minutes a day.” new school. “Read to Me!”
Bright Red Children’s Book Traveling Books Give the Gift of Read-Along Songs
Bookshelf Fund Volunteers Family Reading A set of 6 books and CD of
Gently used books are Community donations read to the books being both read
collected and children Low-income and sung are given to young
fund grants to agencies for families
placed on red books as at child children as a path to literacy
shelves free care centers receive new through a new door.
gifts for books at
for families families and homes
to select and leave crates of the holidays, funded by
they serve. community donations.
and own. books to be enjoyed.
FRP Mission: To create a culture of literacy in which all children have early, frequent and pleasurable
experiences with books, together with a loved one, as part of everyday family life.
Inviting Families to
Literacy through Music
R
eading! Singing! Talking! the way her students interacted with
Family Reading Partnership’s books after they received the books Read-Along Songs
newest program focuses on rhym- and played the CD in the classroom.
ing and rhythm to connect children Students who had difficulty with
Objectives
and families with the joy of words and language suddenly knew the words to For Children
books. With a generous grant from an entire books because they had heard • Increase interest in and affection
anonymous donor at the Community them sung and read. for books
• Increase rhyming ability
Foundation of Tompkins County, the By the time John and Cal visited • Increase knowledge of alphabet
Read-Along Songs program was able to Caroline Pre-K, they were celebrities • Increase vocabulary
place a bright red with the under-five crowd! “I thought • Increase attention span
“It was just so magical • Increase background knowledge
book bag filled with it was absolutely wonderful,” said • Expose children to greater expressive
for my students to six beautiful books Downes. “It was just so magical for communication and receptive language
see the actual people and a CD of the my students to see the actual people
they’ve been listening to books being both they’ve been listening to on this CD For Families
• Provide families with auditory modeling
on this CD for the last read and sung into for the last couple of weeks.”
of songs and reading aloud
couple of weeks.” the homes of more Another benefit of the program • Increase parent/adult time engaged
than 500 families in is that the books and CD connect with their children around books
• Increase positive verbal interactions
– Kathleen Downes, TCA Head Start, school to home. “We want to make
with children through talking and
Caroline Elementary ICSD Pre-K, sure students have lots of early lit- singing, as family centered activities
School Pre-K teacher TST BOCES Even eracy experiences,” said Diana Levy, • Encourage families to make reading and
Start programs and program leader for the district’s pre- singing a part of everyday
family routines
Franziska Racker Center classrooms. kindergarten program. “Read-Along • Introduce families to the fun and
The goal of the program is to bring Songs is a way to strengthen the links entertainment of the combination of
families closer to books through music between home and school. The same books and songs
(see Objectives, right). A committee of books that are being read and sung in
early education teachers along with lo- school can also be read and sung at For Schools and Programs
• Support teachers and schools by
cal singer/songwriter John Simon and home.” providing this literacy enhancement
Village at Ithaca Executive Director The impact of the program con- at school and at home
• Strengthen the bridge between home
Cal Walker carefully chose six different and school with a book and singing
children’s books that were also favor- connection
ite children’s songs to be a part of the
program. tinues to grow. Other funders have
A CD was produced at Hiltronex come forward to provide additional
Studios in Ithaca, with John Simon play- sets of Read-Along Songs to more
ing guitar and singing the books and Cal children. IPEI has funded sets for each
Walker reading the books in his rich, kindergarten and first grade classroom
animated voice. Affectionately known in the Ithaca City School District.
as “Simon and Calfunkle,” John Simon Trumansburg Head Start and kinder-
and Cal Walker have visited more than gartners received sets funded by an
25 classrooms to sing and read. anonymous donor and South Seneca
Kathleen Downes, a teacher in the kindergartners have received sets
John Simon and Cal Walker performed Read-
Caroline Elementary School Pre-K Along Songs in more than 25 classrooms, funded by the Ujeni Fund.
program, saw immediate changes in reaching hundreds of children!
3
FRP Celebrates 10th Birthday “Read-Along Songs” from their new
CD of music and stories for children.
the festivities. Dinner tables
with Red Hot Gala! one toballroom were decorated with
in the
The night ended with spirited music
by the Ageless Jazz Band.
candy red hots and white candles with The warm memories of the Red
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” (the Hot Gala will stay with us for a long
book given by FRP to all newborns at time! We had good friends all together
Cayuga Medical Center) at each place in a beautiful place, delicious food,
setting. Thanks go to Tompkins Trust wonderful music and prizes donated by
Company for sponsoring the book. so many community businesses. What
A very special part of the evening a celebration!
was the announcement of the 2008 The Red Hot Gala launches Fam-
Read to Me Heroes (see page 9). Marty ily Reading Partnership into its second
Allee, retired reading teacher, Tomp- decade!
kins Trust Company, sponsor of “The See the Red Hot Gala
Very Hungry Caterpillar” book since slide show at
W
www.familyreading.org.
hat a night! On March 15, 1995, and Triad Foundation, supporter
2008, we held our culminat- of FRP since our inception, were each
ing event in celebration of presented with an engraved crystal book
Family Reading Partnership’s tenth as appreciation for being Read to Me
birthday, our Red Hot Gala Benefit. Heroes.
Almost 200 friends and supporters of The night continued with a raffle
FRP came to Cornell’s Statler Hotel of eight red hot gifts valued at up
dressed in red dresses, red ties, or with to $1,000. The grand prizes were
some splash of red in their attire. a $1,000 gift card to Wegmans and
The evening started with the pop- a weekend get-away for two at La
ping of more than 50 red balloons Tourelle Resort and August Moon Spa
that party-goers purchased for the with a complimentary dinner at John
prizes inside. Rich Steinacher, read- Thomas Steak House.
FRP supporters George and Bobbie
ing teacher at Northeast Elementary, John Simon and Cal Walker enter- Schneider (new FRP Board President)
acted as emcee and welcomed every- tained the crowd with a selection of donned red fedoras at the Red Hot Gala.
At Home with Books
The book is a gentle story of a on each page and discover Patches the
bear family and the fun they have cat, who seems to be just as interested
reading together at home. Imbedded in listening to books as the bears.
in the charming tale and beautiful To support and encourage families
illustrations are subtle messages to as they read aloud and make books a
families–ideas for how to make the special part of everyday family life, At
read-aloud experience more meaning- Home with Books has a section of read-
ful for their child. aloud ideas for more fun with books
Brother bear tells us the story of included at the back.
his family and how books and read- At Home with Books was designed to
aloud fit into family time at home. strengthen the connection children and
The bear family reads books at the families have with books by encourag-
O
ur tenth year also marked kitchen table while pancakes are cook- ing read-aloud at home and activities
the publication of our first ing, on the big, soft sofa when their based on books.
children’s book! friend visits, in bed just before sleep, More than 6,000 copies of At Home
Family Reading Partnership and in all kinds of cozy places that with Books have gone to children in the
assistant director Katrina Morse wrote make reading together special. This is Tompkins County area and as far away
and and illustrated At Home with Books, a family at home with books! as North Carolina and Maryland. To
which was published by Family Read- The colorful illustrations help chil- order a copy visit www.familyreading.
ing Partnership. dren follow baby sister bear’s activities org or call 607.277.8602.
4
Katrina Morse, “Jill” of All Trades
Emily Rhoads Johnson
as a perfect combination of her pas-
P
ainting, writing, graphic sion for creating art and educating.
design, photography–the Born in Ithaca and raised in
multi-talented Katrina does it Elmira, Katrina attended the Univer-
all. Hired by Brigid eight years ago sity of Vermont, where she majored in
to work on a special project, she is studio art. She married, moved back to
now the Family Reading Partnership’s Ithaca in 1983 and continued painting
assistant director, and her respon- while her sons, Kyle and Eric, were
sibilities include overseeing general growing up. Later she attended Elmira
operations, preparing handouts and College and earned a master’s degree
mailings, taking photographs, han- in education, intending to teach art
Katrina Morse signed copies of
dling website content and creating in the public schools. “And then I got At Home with Books at the
images for FRP magnets, T-shirts and side-tracked,” she laughs, referring to Tompkins County Public Library.
Books to Grow her serendipitous meeting with Brigid.
“I am proud to be a On materials. “Although I didn’t end up teaching in “The Family Reading Partnership
part of such a deep- She says she feels a school, my job with the Family Read- is a stellar model of an organization
reaching initiative.” lucky to have a ing Partnership gives me many oppor- that pulls together all sectors of the
job where she tunities to make connections between community to work for a common
– Katrina Morse, can use her skills teachers, parents, kids and books.” good: the future of our children,” Ka-
FRP Assistant Director as an educator One way she connects with fami- trina says. “I am proud to be a part of
as well as her lies is through her two columns in the such a deep-reaching initiative, and it
artistic talent. Ithaca Journal. For the “Book Nook” is a bonus that I have such wonderful
“Most recently I have had the she enlists young readers to write co-workers!”
wonderful opportunity to write and il- reviews of their favorite books, and in Her co-workers echo her senti-
lustrate a children’s book (At Home with “The Family Reading Corner,” she ments. In the words of Program
Books, Family Reading Partnership, discusses good books for families to Coordinator Mary Milne, “It’s a joy
2007) that encourages families to read enjoy together. For both columns she to work with Katrina, who notices and
aloud and discover the joy of books.” supplies the photographs. Many of her appreciates the magic, surprise, and
Katrina usually paints still life on stunning photographs of adults and beauty of the world every day.”
canvas, but for her new book she had children reading together are featured There will no doubt be more cre-
to develop an illustration style and in the 2008 Family Reading Part- ative endeavors that Katrina pursues
painted on board using colored pencil nership calendar and banners hung that will use her talents and encourage
for details. Katrina describes the book throughout the county. families to “make friends with books.”
Local Families Featured Watch for our 2009 “Read to
Me” banners and calendars
featuring these nationally known
in “Read to Me” Banners and Calendar children’s book illustrators:
I
n celebration of our 10th
Aliki
birthday, we are delighted Suzanne Bloom
that our 2008 “Read to Me” Nancy Carlson
banners feature local families pho- Bryan Collier
tographed enjoying books. Each Jane Dyer
black and white photo is surround- Lori McElrath-Eslick
ed by a colorful border and the Denise Fleming
words below, “Read to Me and I Gail Gibbons
will be at Home with Books.” The Max Grover
9’ x 12’ banners hang on buildings Sylvia Long
throughout the community and Iza Tripani
the “Read to Me” photos were
also made into a calendar.
5
Our History
Where we’ve been...
Family Reading Partnership grew from the idea that for children to be successful adults, they need
to know how to read. For children to be successful at reading they need to love books. For children
to love books they need to hear books read aloud to them from birth and have books at home.
1994 Give the Gift of Family Reading began as part of the TST BOCES
“Family Reading Program.” We now give books at the holidays to families at
12 WIC sites and seven agencies.
WIC readers began visiting sites monthly. We now have eight readers.
1995 Books at Birth program began as a TST BOCES program.
Every baby born at Cayuga Medical Center receives a new book.
1997 “Building a Caring Community” conference sparked the idea
of creating a community coalition for literacy.
Family Reading Partnership created and incorporated.
Father and son choose a new book to take
Bright Red Bookshelf site established. We now have 20 sites. home through Give the Gift of Family
1998 Community Literacy Vision Day We have hosted four envisioning sessions. Reading program at their WIC appt.
Welcome to School Book program began. There are 21 schools in our area now involved.
Children’s Book Fund established. Twenty six different human service agencies
have provided books for the families they serve over the years.
Kids’ Book Fest celebration of children’s literature first held with close to 1,000 in attendance.
Aliki generously gave permission to use her drawing of the girl hugging book as FRP icon.
Program Coordinator added to staff.
1999 First Book for First Graders program began. This program gave new books to first graders for four years.
2000 Kids’ Book Fest attendance exceeded 2,000.
2001 Family Reading Partnership received 501(c)(3), non-profit status.
Books to Grow On program began. We now have 12 doctors’ offices who participate.
Second Program Coordinator added to staff.
At Home with Books newsletter first printed and distributed.
2002 Traveling Books program folded into FRP. Currently, 12 volunteers
read to children at 18 childcare sites.
2003 “Read to Me” Campaign launched with banners and calendars.
We produce 12 new banners and a calendar each year.
www.familyreading.org website became active.
The newest Bright Red Book- FRP’s Great Community Read-a-thon The first of two events.
shelf was placed in the Emer- First Family Reading Partnership Alliance member. Cortland County
gency Dept. at Cayuga Medical
Center and used immediately by 2004 Books Before Birth program established to give books to expectant parents.
a family waiting for a loved one. We have four OB-GYN offices who participate.
Appetizing Books baskets sold to restaurants. There are six sites.
Second Family Reading Partnership Alliance member. Chemung Valley
2005 Jim Trelease visited Ithaca and included FRP in the 6th edition of his book The Read-Aloud Handbook.
Third Family Reading Partnership Alliance member. Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County (NC)
Office Coordinator position added to staff.
FRP held the first Family Story Walk and 21 Run benefit honoring George Boiardi.
2006 Development Director added to staff. To learn more about Family Reading Partnership
programs and initiatives visit
2007 Read-Along Songs program began. www.familyreading.org and click “Programs.”
Read to Me Society founded.
At Home with Books, Family Reading Partnership’s first children’s book, published.
6
Our Futu
Where we’re going...
re
We must and will do more for families who have the greatest literacy and economic challenges keeping
them from a culture of literacy. We’ll provide more books, more information and training and more
support for those who need it most. We are determined to deepen and strengthen our efforts so that
each family receives the books and support it needs to establish a read-aloud tradition at home.
Plans for Deepening and Strengthening
As we enter our next ten years Family Reading Partnership will...
• Explore new strategies to connect children and families with books by building on the
success of our newest program, Read-Along Songs.
• Provide read-aloud trainings and information to agencies that work with families
and to the families themselves.
• Give more books to families who need them most.
Some ideas:
- Give 10 books for babies by birth at WIC.
- Strengthen and expand children’s book fund grants
so that more agencies can use books as part of
the services they provide to families.
- Provide books to speech/language pathologists
to give to families at home visits.
- Add Bright Red Bookshelf sites at food pantries
Every family with young children should
and other places that serve low-income families. know the joy of books and reading aloud.
• Partner more with schools to support a culture of literacy and provide used books
to school populations by expanding Bright Red Bookshelf sites.
• Partner with libraries to promote them as one of the first places families go with a
new baby.
• Provide information about our organization, programs and initiatives to other
communities.
• Inspire others to develop their own unique programs that encourage families to
discover the joy of books and reading.
Thank You!
Thanks to funds raised during the 10th Birthday–We Must Do More Campaign we
are able to begin the process of deepening and strengthening our programs.
Through ongoing and new sponsorships and donations we look forward to continu-
ing to make ours a community that values books and reading, and to share what we
have learned with others.
7
Every Kindergartner: A Splendid Friend, Indeed
The book helps to calm nerves on who wants to talk and talk and talk,
that first trip to their new school in the could really represent the experience
spring and gives the message from the of a kindergarten student coming to
school to parents that reading together school for the first time. The friend-
is important. When the students come ships formed could be one or more of
back in the fall, they have the common so many–teacher and student, reading
experience with all their classmates of and student, writ-
owning and knowing the same book. ing and student, “I like to think of my-
The initial book given to children school community self as Bear, and my
at the start of the program was Feathers and family, etc. students, especially the
W
e are pleased to announce for Lunch by Lois Ehlert. Then in 2005, “I like to think
entering kindergartners,
that A Splendid Friend, the book was changed to Hattie and of myself as Bear,
Indeed by Suzanne Bloom the Fox by Mem Fox. The new book and my students, as Goose.”
has been chosen as the new book to choice for 2008, A Splendid Friend, In- especially the
– Karen Keller,
be given to kindergartners as a “Wel- deed, has been enthusiastically received entering kinder-
principal, Fall Creek
come to School Book” at kindergarten by principals and teachers. The book gartners, as Goose.
Elementary School
registrations and screenings in schools was chosen for its theme of friendship, That is the kind
across the TST BOCES region. age-appropriate text and beautiful of relationship
The Welcome to School Book pro- illustrations. and caring that I want my school to
gram started in 1998 as one of the first Karen Keller, principal at Fall project. This book just makes me feel
initiatives of the Family Reading Part- Creek Elementary School in Ithaca, GOOD.”
nership. The program provides a book comments, “The message in A Splen- We feel good about the new Wel-
to each kindergartner as a gift from his did Friend, Indeed is so sweet and so come to School Book and how many
or her school with program coordina- simple at first read, but then I think kindergartners will hear A Splendid
tion by the Family Reading Partnership of much more. The message of the Friend, Indeed read to them before
and funding for the books provided by character ‘Bear,’ who wants to read school starts again this fall.
M&T Bank. and write and think, and ‘Goose,’
Our Influence and Inspiration Spreads...
Family Reading Partnership Alliance Members
2003 Family Reading Partnership of Cortland County
2004 Family Reading Partnership of Chemung Valley
2005 Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg
County (NC)
2007 Seneca County Literacy Project
2008 Geneva Reads
The public library in Batavia, NY,
purchased 12 “Read to Me”
banners with their“GRO” logo
added. The banners will hang on Family Reading Partnership of Chemung
buildings there to inspire Valley hosted a very successful Kids’ Book
families to read to their children. Fest in March with the theme of “homes”
based on FRP’s last Book Fest.
In only five years of website activity, we have had hundreds
Our 2008 “Read to Me” calendar of requests from individuals and organizations from 27 New
featuring families from Ithaca, NY, York State communities, 17 other states and three other
made its way to a school in Thailand countries for information about how to start their own Fam-
where a friend of FRP was working. ily Reading Partnership, how to start one of our programs or
how to learn more about read-aloud and books.
8
2008 Read to Me Heroes
T
his year we were pleased to honor three
Read to Me Heroes – a business, a found-
ation and an individual. Each has been a
consistent supporter of Family Reading Partner-
ship efforts to spread the joy of reading. Our 2008
Read to Me Heroes were presented with
gifts of engraved crystal books at our Red Hot
Gala on March 15.
Tompkins Trust Company (TTC)
stepped forward in 1995 to help launch the
Hero
Honoring Our
Read to Me Heroes
Triad Foundation has been
a consistently strong FRP supporter for
more than a decade, giving us the wings
to take off and fly! Joanne Florino and
the family of Roy Park, Jr. believed in
Book at Birth program that would give a new and seeded the success of the Family
book to every baby born at Cayuga Medical Reading Partnership from the beginning,
Center. For more than a decade TTC has first through the Park Foundation and
funded this program, which has encouraged then the Triad Foundation. Funding
thousands of families to read to their support originated with a grant to
children right from the start. Joanne Florino & Roy Park, Jr. establish the organization and allow
Family Reading Partnership to become an independent not-for-
profit. Most recently Triad provided a significant $250,000
matching grant for our 10th birthday campaign. (see page 10)
Marty Allee, a retired reading and
support teacher, has volunteered exten-
sively with Family Reading Partnership.
One of the first board presidents, she was
Greg Hartz. current president of Tomkins Trust Company, involved for more than ten years in many
and Jim Byrnes, former president. Family Reading Partnership programs:
as a volunteer at the annual Give the Gift
of Family Reading program at WIC sites
during the holiday season, on the Kids’
Book Fest Committee and as a volunteer
extraordinaire for many FRP events. Marty Allee
continued from page 1 their future success at reading. Read- family literacy so that we can share our
children as a special part of everyday ing is a basic skill that can help chil- knowledge and experience with others.
family life. For this to happen we know dren and families overcome poverty Your time, your gifts, your books–and
that families need four things: and develop the skills that can help especially your enthusiasm–are vital to
them lead better lives. our continued success. Read more about
• Knowledge and understanding
that reading to their children is Over the next ten years our focus will our vision for the future and how you can
exciting and important be to deepen and strengthen our efforts help, throughout this newsletter.
• Motivation to make reading to reach families that may not have
aloud to children habitual found success in reading. We want to do
• Books to read what we can to help them make books
• Encouragement, skills and the part of family life and to fully experience
support necessary to read to their the pleasure of reading.
children Regionally and nationally, our ef-
Every book that enters a family’s forts will focus on becoming a lead-
home helps children enjoy books and ing center for information, ideas
reading in their daily lives, and seeds and resources on family reading and
9
Share Your Story a Huge Success hear and motivates us to do more.
As one mother says, “In a busy, clut-
A
s a dedicated group of close partnerships serving our community. tered world, the Family Reading Part-
friends of Family Reading The Share Your Story campaign was nership provides regular, gentle remind-
Partnership gathered to envi- launched at our red tent at the Ithaca ers that we should pause each day and
sion special ways to commemorate Festival in June '07, and we gathered enjoy a good book with our child.”
our 10th birthday, everyone agreed stories throughout the From a
that finding a way to collect and share summer and into fall. new mom
:
stories of our impact on families and We were amazed When I was fi
ve months pre
children in our community at the many husband and gnant my
I started telli
was at the top of the list. beautiful and daughter, in u ng our
tero, the sto
With an amazing heartfelt stories “The Very H ry of
We read it to ungry Caterp
ten years and a mult- of families reading her every nig illar. “
ht at bedtim
itude of innovative together and receiving When she w e.
programs in partner- books as gifts–through my h as born, I had
usband was w a C-section,
ship with a variety of WIC (Women, Infants I was ith our daugh so
still in the O ter while
community organizations, and with and Children), their doctors, to say at firs .R. He didn’t
t and then he know what
more than 200,000 books placed into Bright Red Bookshelves and of the moon said, “In the
their schools. a little egg la light
the hands, homes and hearts of chil- looked right y on a leaf...”
The stong feelings of at him! she
dren and their families, we knew their
stories had to be told! families in our community When we go
t the book to
Share Your Story was conceived as a and articulation of the impact couldn’t wait take home w
to show her e
way for people to connect those stories of Family Reading Partnership Now our dau the pictures.
ghter is 18 m
and to connect the dots of the nu- over the last ten years has been often asks to onths and sh
read the boo e
merous FRP programs and our book very gratifying for us all to k!
Read more st
www.familyreories of our impact at
ading.org
We Did It!
achievement we can all be proud of,”
W
ith much appreciation to said Lisa Berry, FRP’s Director of
you, our community of Community Relations and Develop-
supporters, we are very ment, reflecting on the success of the
pleased to announce that the goals of 10th Birthday Campaign and special
our 10th Birthday–We Must Do More events. FRP saw an increase in both
Campaign have been met and sur- the number of donors to the organiza-
passed! In honor of Family Reading tion and the amount of the average
Partnership’s ten years of making an gift. We are proud to establish The
impact on the lives of children and Read To Me Society for donors of $1,000
families in our community, and to help or more and honored that two dear
us deepen and strengthen our work friends of FRP have already bequested
in the coming ten years, the Triad gifts to the Read to Me Legacy Society.
Foundation offered a generous chal- This successful campaign gives
lenge. For this milestone in Family Family Reading Partnership the and having access to books lay the foun-
Reading Partnership history, Triad of- expanded capacity to deepen and dation for a good life.
fered a dollar for dollar match for the strengthen the impact of our estab- Our sincere thanks go again to the
first $250,000 raised during our 10th lished programs. It will pave the way Triad Foundation for their generous
Birthday campaign. to develop new initiatives to serve challenge. We continue to be extremely
We are thrilled to report that by families who need the most support grateful to Joanne Florino and the fam-
March 31, 2008, just seven months and encouragement to find pleasure ily of Roy Park, Jr. who believed in and
after receiving the Triad Challenge, and joy in reading together. We look seeded the success of the Family Read-
more than $260,000 was raised! “The forward to our continued collabora- ing Partnership from its earliest days,
support of the community, Triad tion as we work to reach even more first through the Park Foundation and
and our family of donors has made families and communities with the now through the Triad Foundation. We
the 10th Birthday Campaign an message that reading aloud to children look forward to the next ten years!
10
y
The Read To Me Societ
Key to Our Successful
10th Birthday Campaign
T
en years ago, together, we shaped a dream families who have not yet found pleasure and success in books.
for a culture of literacy. The dream was for all To date, 61 individuals and local businesses have
of our children to begin life in homes where answered this call to action by becoming the founding
reading together and beautiful children’s books would members of The Read To Me Society, Family Reading
be a part of the values, routines and traditions of Partnership’s newly established named giving society.
family life. In these ten years, with your support, we With gifts and pledges of $1,000 or more during our
have made tremendous progress, making a difference 10th Birthday–We Must Do More Campaign, The Read To
in the lives of thousands of children and families. Me Society founders were instrumental in surpassing the
But to reach our dream, we still have more to do for $250,000 matching grant offered by Triad Foundation.
o y:
Our Sincere Thanks to the Founding Members of The Read t Me Societ
Carolyn & Timothy Ainslie, Marty Allee, Beverly Baker, Mary & John Baker, Robert Baxter of Dryden Mutual Insurance,
Michael Bend & Valerie Hans, Maureen Boyd & David Saiia, Charlotte Bruce, Jessica Casey, D.O., Alice Colby-Hall, Diane
& George Conneman, Carol & Will Cooke, Daphne & Ezra Cornell, Frederick Cowett & Diana Riesman, Patricia & Thomas
Davis, David & Peggy Dunlop*, Audrey & William Edelman, Emerson Power Transmission, Jason & Julieanne Fane, Joanne
Florino, Barb & Paul Eshelman , Sandy & Glenn Galbreath, Margaret I. Gibson, Fair & Fred Gouldin, Bradley & Mary
Grainger, Patricia & Robert Haley, Ann Halpern, Juris & Ellymaria Hartmanis, Greg Hartz of Tompkins Trust Company,
Joan & Bob Horn, Brigid & Alan Hubberman, Mark Jauquet & Mickie Sanders-Jauquet, Alfred & Mary Kahn, Carol
Kammen, Arthur Kuckes & Martha Wright, Heather & Bruce Lane, R. Carolyn Lange, Steve Leveen, Ilma & Gilbert Levine,
Jim Milne, Deborah O’Connor & Peter LePage, Karen Powers & Jim Dennis, Melissa Pruitt & Michael Snyder, Mimi & Bill
Schaffner, Bobbie & George Schneider, Diane & Dick Shafer, Arthur & Charlotte Shull, Ceil & Jim Spero, Triad Foundation,
David & Lucia Tyler, Gail & Jim Salk, Andy & Rosemary Sciarabba, Roger & Carole Sibley, Margaret & Richard Steinacher,
Jay & Sandy True, Carol Warshawsky, Sarita Warshawsky, Wegmans, Mark Wenham & Anne Bechert, David & Linda
Woodard, Scott Wiggins & Kash Iraggi-Wiggins of La Tourelle Resort & Spa, Barbara Yale*
* Bequest made to Read to Me Legacy Society
Family Reading Partnership Membership 2008 (Optional) My gift is in honor or
in memory of: ____________
Your membership contribution helps us continue to give books ______________________
and read-aloud support to those families who need it most.
Members are invited to an annual picnic in September and Please send a recognition card to:
receive a special invitation to the Kids’ Book Fest. Thank you! ______________________
m $30 m $50 m $100 m $500 m $1,000 m Other $_______ Address:
______________________
m My check for $_______ is enclosed. ______________________
______________________
m Please charge my Visa/MC for $_________
Gifts of $1,000 or more
Card #______________________________________ Expires_________
o y
The Read t Me Societ
entitle you to be a member of
Signature ___________________________________________________
Name _____________________________________________________ with invitions to special
receptions and newsletters
Address ____________________________________________________ throughout the year.
____________________________________________________ Please mail your membership
Phone _________________________ Email _______________________ form and donation to:
Family Reading Partnership
o acy y.
m I’d like more information on making a bequest to The Read t Me Leg Societ
54 Gunderman Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850
11
Kids Book Fest 2007 featured At Home with Books by
FRP’s Katrina Morse. Families enjoyed book-centered
Kids’ Book Fest 2008
activities and fun based on the theme of HOMES.
The featured book was made into
an interactive area where the book’s
characters read stories.
Mark your calendars for
Kids’ Book Fest 2008, Saturday, November 8,
Children made their own houses out 10am-4pm at Boynton Middle School.
of cardboard and found objects. The theme this year is adventure
and the featured book is My Father’s Dragon
by Trumansburg author Ruth Stiles Gannett
Kahn.
2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the
publication of this beloved classic. With
sponsorship from Time Warner Cable, lo-
cal elementary schools will be able to give
multiple copies of the book to students prior
to the Book Fest
Join us at Kids’ Book Fest for music, art,
entertainment and activities all based on
children’s books with adventure themes.
Bookmaking was done with
house and barn shaped books. Meet local authors, including the author of
At Kids’ Book Fest '08,
Ruth Stiles Gannett Kahn My Father’s Dragon!
will be the featured author. It’s free family fun! Keep up-to-date on
At Home with Books figures planning meetings and Fest details on the
and 3-D house were given to
children to take home and color. “News and Events” page of www.familyread-
ing.org.
Family Reading Partnership Nonprofit Org.
54 Gunderman Rd. U.S. Postage Paid
Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY
Permit no. 780
www.familyreading.org
