The Raising A Reader Review | Spring 2012 Edition

Raising A Reader MA:

Early literacy for lifelong achievement

Spring Newsletter 2012

The Boston Celtics' Ray Allen is an avid reader.

The Boston Celtic's Ray Allen, like the New England Patriot's Tom Brady, is an avid reader.

"So it's important that you read, because you understand what's going on with the world, you understand the economy. . . . There's so much that we need to know, and we're not getting it from playing basketball," says Boston Celtic Ray Allen in Amalie Benjamin's May 6th Boston Globe front page story "Ray Allen Shares His Love of Books."

Who are the heroes who inspired you to become a reader? And who are the role model who might inspire the little people in your life to read? Read Raising A Reader MA's reflections on Boston Celtic Ray Allen identifying as an avid reader in the latest post on our blog, The Book Bag.

Upcoming Events

What: A123 Systems C.H.A.R.G.E. Team's Bowl-A-Thon to benefit Raising A Reader MA
When: Wednesday, April 18 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Where: Lanes and Games in Cambridge
Who: Employees of A123 Systems
Cost: $20 minimum donation must be made by A123 Systems employees to participate

Swing by Lanes & Games on Wednesday night to cheer on the A123 Systems' bowlers, and thank them for dedicating the proceeds of their corporate team building event to Raising A Reader MA.

Can't attend, but want to thank them anyway? Visit http://www.raisingareaderma.org/bowling to sponsor a team.

What: Creating Innovators: Beyond the School

When: Monday, May 7th from 6:00-8:30 PM

Where: The Boston Foundation (75 Arlington Street, Boston)

Who: Anyone interested in school innovation

Cost: Free

Social Venture Partners Boston is hosting a conversation about the roles parents, mentors, employers, and philanthropy play in developing children's capacities for innovation.

Seats are limited and pre-registration is required. RSVP to info@svpboston.com

What: Mom's Nite Out

When: Thursday, May 10th from 5:30-8:30 PM

Where: Barefoot Books Studio and Flagship Store (89 Thoreau Street, Concord, MA)

Who: Boston area parent bloggers

Cost: Free, but pre-registration is required

You read with your children three or more times a week - not to mention feeding them, clothing them, nurturing them. You deserve a night off! So join Raising A Reader MA, the Boston-area Parent Bloggers Network and Barefoot Books in this local celebration of moms and the important work you do. Special presentation by Boston Globe columnist Barbara Meltz, speaking about the multi-faceted impact blogging about your children can have on your relationship with them.

About Us

Raising A Reader MA is an evidence-based early literacy organization dedicated to helping families of young children (newborn to age 5) develop, practice and maintain habits of reading together at home. Our work, which both increases access to books and offers families tools and support for strengthening the culture of reading at home, is driven by 25 years of research that shows the single most significant factor influencing a child's lifelong achievement is being regularly read to by their parents and adult caregivers before starting kindergarten.

Learn more and become a supporter online www.raisingareaderma.org.

Blue library bags mark the end of a child's direct experience with Raising A Reader MA.

Blue Bag Ceremonies

As spring approaches the most frequent question Raising A Reader MA's regional program managers hear is "Can we keep our red library bags to use in kindergarten?"

Learn more about the tools and support Raising A Reader MA offers to help children and their families continue their library and home reading routines long after their experience with Raising A Reader MA comes to an end.

"I used to be uncomfortable reading to my kids. Now that Raising A Reader MA has taught me to focus on the pictures and to ask questions, my children are more engaged in the story and we have a lot of fun reading together."

-Raising A Reader MA parent, Brockton, MA

Spring Into Reading

How many families do you know where a parent is not comfortable reading to their children?

Raising A Reader MA is making a difference in the lives of nearly 8,500 children and their families where reading at home may not be the norm.

You can make a difference in the lives of these families by making a gift in our Spring Into Reading Campaign. Call the office to make a donation, or visit our website to make a secure donation online. Thanks in advance!

NEW! Make a $60 gift to Raising A Reader MA before June 1st, and your gift will worth $126!

Get details and make a donation online!

Thanks to our 2012 sponsors!

$73,500 in 2012 corporate sponsorship dollars may equal more than $80,000 thanks to Raising A Reader MA's affiliation with the Rodman Ride for Kids. How? Corporate sponsors who sign on through June 2012 will have their investment matched by up to 10% match by the umbrella charity.

Corporate sponsors in 2012 include:

$25,000+ - School Center Level

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

$10,000-$24,999 - Early Learning Center Level

Boston Bruins

Dana Farber Cancer Institute

UniFirst Corporation

$6,000-$9,999 - Library Level

Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse

$3,000-$5,999 - Reading Nook Level

Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications

Jog Nog

Walsh Brothers, Inc.

Barefoot Books

Up to $2,999

Salem Five Bank

Goulston & Storrs

Want to see your name in this list and on all of our printed materials? Download our Corporate Sponsorship Benefits package now, or contact Raising A Reader MA's office of Strategic Growth and Development to learn more, 617.292.BOOK (2665) or gretchen@raisingareaderma.org.