June 2015 – Reach Out And Read Kansas City

Kansas City Area Macy’s — Reading is Fundamental — Reach Out and Read- KC

What do these three organization have in common? The answer: PROVIDING NEW BOOKS FOR KIDS! Now through July 12^th, Macy’s is hosting their annual “Be Book Smart” campaign. The program allows shoppers to spend $3 on a coupon worth $10 off their purchase of $30 or more and can be used immediately. Talk about a WIN-WIN! The $3 goes to Reading is Fundamental who then credits the full amount to Reach Out and Read for the purchase of new books for our early literacy program in KC. Last year alone we received and distributed more than 3000 books through this program, made successful by wonderful supporters like you.

So get out there and shop at your local Macy’s! There are 6 locations in the Kansas City metro area: Leawood Town Center, Oak Park Mall, Prairie Village, Summit Fair in Lee’s Summit, Metro North, and Independence Center.

AmeriCorps – VISTA

We are looking for an AmeriCorps VISTA Marketing and Outreach Coordinator. VISTA members are full-time volunteers who give a year of service for poverty alleviation. In return, they receive a living allowance and healthcare benefits. Read more or apply.

KC Dads Read

As Father’s Day approaches, Mayor Sly James and our partners at LINC and Turn the Page KC have launched a campaign to encourage KC fathers to spend time reading to their children. Between now and June 21, share a photo of yourself or a dad you know reading to his kids on our Facebook page, Instagram, or Twitter using the hashtag #DadsTurnThePage and you could win Royals tickets! Watch this video for more details.

Volunteer Spotlight

We would like to put a volunteer spotlight on one of our youngest volunteers, Anuva Kolli (pictured above). She may be little, but she is doing big things to help in her community. This 9-year-old 3rd grader at Horizon Elementary in Desoto, KS, has been honored with the bronze level Presidential Community Service Award for the past two years, completing a total of over 70 hours of volunteer work. Not too shabby for someone who won’t even be able to drive for seven more years.

Anuva and her family have volunteered for Reach Out and Read Kansas City for many years, and this award reflects her service for us and several other agencies. She makes toys for animals at Wayside Waifs, participates in Girl’s on the Run, organized a book drive and continuously labels books to send to Reach Out and Read partner clinics.

Anuva says, “ I want everyone to enjoy reading as much as I do. Every day I read about 5 hours”. Anuva enjoys mysteries and funny stories. Right now she is starting the Nancy Drew series.

Anuva receives the Bronze Presidential Award

New Study Shows Reading to Children Increases Brain Activity

Thanks to those who have already responded to our Spring fundraising appeal sent last week from our Medical Director, Sallie Page-Goertz (pictured below with a young patient and mom.)

In case you missed it, Sallie also shared a hot-off-the-press article from AAP News about a recent study where MRI scans show associations between reading to young children and brain activity. These results provide new evidence for something we’ve known all along – sharing books with infants and toddlers can promote brain development and support reading readiness. Read the full article here.

Save a stamp when responding to Sallie’s request. Contribute to Reach Out and Read KC online through our secure website.

Thanks Reid!

Thanks to UMKC med student, Reid Waldman for organizing his classmates in the Medical Humanities group to collect over 750 new and gently used books for ROR-KC. This is the second year the group have held a book drive to benefit our kiddos.

Reading Challenge Accepted at Meadowlane Elementary

ROR-KC book coordinator, Janice Dobbs, joined KC Chiefs Hall of Famer, Will Shields and students from Meadowlane Elementary to celebrate 157 students meeting the challenge to spend time reading daily for 200 days. They also shared their love of reading by donating 1000 books to Reach Out and Read!

Macy’s campaign benefits RIF & ROR-KC

Once again RIF has partnered with Macy’s to create Be Book Smart, a national partnership to raise awareness and support of children’s literacy. The effort helps RIF provide free books and literacy resources to children nationwide, and Reach Out and Read KC is fortunate to be the program’s local recipient.

Between June 21 –July 12, 2015, shoppers at any of the Greater Kansas City area Macy’s can give $3 to provide a book for a child in need and receive a coupon for $10 off a $30 in-store purchase at any Macy’s nationwide. The discount can be applied on purchases made that day or in the future. Macy’s will give 100% of every $3 to RIF. New this year, in addition to the $10 off $30 discount, Macy’s will also offer 20% off a future purchase.

This year’s campaign has a special focus on summer reading. Research shows that reading books during the summer is the most effective way for a child to maintain and even improve their literacy skills. Each coupon sold during the campaign provides a book for a child and just as important, the spark to keep them reading during the school year and all summer long.