Month: March 2019

Race to Read is coming up Saturday April 6th, 2019!

 

Wait, you might be saying, isn’t Race to Read an August event? Well, it WAS. Now, it’s a can’t-miss spring 5K run/walk and family-friendly event!

 

Register today at KCRacetoRead.com.

 

There’s another important change, too. We’ve moved to Corporate Woods in Overland Park, a private flat course known for personal records.  With so many new and exciting things happening with the race this year, we asked Race to Read Committee Chair (and ROR-KC Advisory Board Member) Truss Tyson to give us the straight scoop.

 

Q: What’s different about Race to read this year?

 

Truss:  We are expecting more participants than we’ve ever had in the past, and we are very excited to host the race in the new Corporate Woods location. The change to the early spring date will also hopefully allow us to take advantage of nice weather.

 

Q: Why are we changing locations?

 

Truss: We are thrilled about the move to Corporate Woods, as it allows for growth in race participants and it will be a private course with no obstacles.

 

Q: What can you tell us about the race course?

 

Truss: It’s a very popular venue because it’s flat and wide, making it the perfect opportunity for racers to set PR’s (personal records)!!

 

Q: What kind of event will this be? Is is still family-friends, or is it mostly for serious runners?

 

Truss:  Race to Read is for EVERYONE – all levels of experience and seriousness, and all ages. It will be a stroller-friendly race (kiddos in strollers are free), with a staggered start so that everyone can participate more comfortably. The course is only one lap, and it is a chip-time event.

 

Q: Why should I come to Race to Read?

 

Truss: Race to Read is an easy way to get involved with a wonderful organization, get in a quick workout (maybe setting a new PR!) and meet some amazing people!

 

Thanks, Truss!

Well, we’re convinced!

 

Race to Read will be Saturday, April 6th at 7:30 a.m.

 

We’ll have live music and a free bubble run for kids, too!

 

Registration is $35 for 16 and older, and $15 for 15 and under. The fee includes a fun race T-shirt.

 

 

Most months, we post a book recommendation from our Book Coordinator, Janice Dobbs.  She’s spent 17 years curating the collection of developmentally-appropriate books that Reach Out and Read Kansas City provides to our partner medical clinics to hand out at well child visits. She knows books!

 

Here’s her February pick!

 

Feast for 10
Written and illustrated by Cathryn Falwell
Published by Scholastic
Age Range: 18 months – 5 yrs

Feast for 10 – This fun counting book has amazing illustrations that children and adults alike will enjoy. It is a book that recounts a family’s excursion to the grocery store, cooking a meal and then sharing that special meal together. The rhyming text makes it an easy read, and children will enjoy the anticipation that mounts from page to page, ending in a wonderful family celebration. It is a great segue into conversations about family traditions. This book reinforces family values and comes in paperback and board back editions.

– Janice Dobbs

Janice Dobbs has been the Book Coordinator for Reach Out and Read Kansas City for over 17 years. She’s responsible for purchasing, organizing, and managing the delivery of more than 80,000 books annually to our partner clinics.

 

On Valentine’s Day, Kansas City really showed its love of literacy at Reach Out and Read KC’s annual For the Love of Books Breakfast! Led by honorary hosts Cathy and Joe McCaddon (Cathy is also Chair of the ROR-KC Advisory Board), the event at Uptown Theater raised over $88,000 for Reach Out and Read Kansas City, the region’s only medically-based early childhood literacy program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honorary Hosts Joe and Cathy McCaddon 

 

It’s tough to choose the highlight of the event.  Was it Roasterie Founder Danny O’Neill’s heartfelt keynote address? Mr. Stinky Feet (aka Jim Cosgrove) and Cathy McCaddon’s rendition of Sandra Boynton’s “Snuggle Puppy?” Emcee Dhomonique Ricks of Fox 4 or the video about ROR-KC crafted by Richard Sharp of 41 Action News? And who can forget the take-home goodies for the more than 200 attendees: Roasterie coffee, chocolates from Andres in Overland Park and book lights courtesy of CommunityAmerica.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One thing does stand out: Our guests’ generosity! Day-of donations totaled more than $20,000 – nearly double our previous record. Thank you! As honorary co-host Cathy McCaddon said, you’re making a real difference in a child’s life during those critical first 1000 days and beyond.

 

The total raised at the event was $88,220 and that wouldn’t be possible without our sponsors. That includes Honorary Hosts Joe and Cathy McCaddon, as well as the Eckert Family Foundation, which matched the first $2,500 in day-of donations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keynote Speaker Danny O’Neill, of the Roasterie

 

Emcee Dhomonique Ricks energized the early-morning crowd, and featured presenter Danny O’Neill spoke from the heart about the importance of literacy in his life, including memories of his father reading to Danny and his nine siblings.

And who could forget Cathy McCaddon and Mr. Stinky Feet singing Sandra Boynton’s “Snuggle Puppy?”

 

 

Check out the full photo album on Facebook, courtesy of the talented Patty Dover of Life Unstructured Photography.

 

We also debuted a new video about the well child visit, the heart of the ROR-KC program. Check it out here on YouTube. A big thanks to Richard Sharp of 41 Action News for his help with the video!

 

In addition, we were lucky enough to have two talented Stage Right Performing Arts choirs kick off the morning for us.

 

Thanks to all – including the more than 200 people attendees – who made this an extra special Valentine’s Day!