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News from Reach Out and Read Washington State
In This Issue
Skagit County City Takes the Bookend City Challenge
Olympic Peninsula Programs Off to a Great Start
The Wiggles Support Reach Out and Read
Give Big Surpasses Goal by Millions
Reach Out and Read Summer of a Million Books Campaign Reaches Halfway Mark
Put Books in the Hands of Children
Follow Us on Facebook
About Us
Support Reach Out and Read in Washington

Your Amazon shopping you benefit Reach Out and Read programs!  

 July 2011

Greetings!

 

Last month we told you about our Early Learning Public Library partnership. Check out Doctors prescribe regular library visits  in the Kitsap Sun!

The "real" sun, unfortunately remains elusive. But communities across the state continue to do amazing work with young children. At Reach Out and Read our summer road trips continue, and we are delighted to share stories about the northwestern parts of our state this month. From Anacortes to Neah Bay and LaPush, coastal communities are making sure beach time is combined with books this summer!

Today's newsletter helps you learn more about Reach Out and Read, while offering opportunities for you to get involved.  Help us keep sending books home for families to enjoy this summer, as we work together to help children across Washington state be ready for success in school and life.  Learn about:

  • Anacortes' exciting partnership to take Reach Out and Read "citywide"
  • Our Olympic Peninsula programs visits--and a chance to read more about the Makah and Quileute tribes, with a bit of "Twilight" thrown in!
  • The success of "Give Big"
  • The Wiggles upcoming Seattle shows that benefit Reach Out and Read
  • The progress of the Summer of A Million books campaign

With appreciation,

The Reach Out and Read Washington State Team

....because Reading Is Doctor-Recommended 

SKAGIT COUNTY CITY TAKES THE BOOKEND CITY CHALLENGE

 

Anacortes ROR
Leaders from the Anacortes School Board, Kiwanis and  Library with Drs. Sells and Olmsted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Novel partnership in Anacortes launches city's first Reach Out and Read Program with intent to serve all children. On June 23rd a conference room at Island Hospital was packed with people ready to "move the needle" on early literacy. Thanks to the leadership of MaryJo Christenson, Early Learning Outreach Director for the Anacortes School District, and Anacortes Children's Librarian Doug Woods, the event was standing room only.  Reach Out and Read Washington Director Dr. Jill Sells was invited to help celebrate and launch the community's effort. Superintendent Chris Borgen, school board members and many early learning supporters were in attendance.  Special thanks go to Dr. Jeanne Olmsted, pediatric champion for the new program, and to the Noon Kiwanis for providing initial funding.  Read more in the Anacortes American story Program provides free books at wellness checks .

 

OLYMPIC PENINSULA PROGRAMS OFF TO A GREAT START

 

whale image

Road trip to Clallam County provides opportunity to visit new programs.  Thanks to our partnership with

Thrive by Five Washington's Culture of Literacy Initiative, Reach Out and Read was able to recruit and launch 13 new clinics in 2010!  This includes 3 new programs in Clallam County, through our work with the Olympic Kitsap  Alliance for Early Learning.

 

We traveled 400 miles round trip to visit programs in the Western-most point of the state. The Makah Cultural and Research Museum was a wonderful introduction to the tribe and community, before visiting the new Reach Out and Read program at the Sophie Trettevick Indian Health Center in Neah Bay. From there we moved south to LaPush, to visit the Quileute Heath Clinic where we were delighted to meet "ROARY the Bear" who is the centerpiece of the reading corner in the clinic.  Our final stop was at the Bogachiel Clinic in Forks, where the town has a very interesting juxtaposition of "Twilight" memorabilia and native art blended into a logging town.  All three clinics are providing books and advice to families as part of the Reach Out and Read Program.  We thank all the providers and staff who hosted our visits and shared their Reach Out and Read programs with us. See more photos and read more about our travels and experiences on this amazing trip.

 

THE WIGGLES SEATTLE SHOWS SUPPORTS LOCAL REACH OUT AND READ PROGRAMS

WigglesThe world's premiere children's entertainers will celebrate their 20th birthday In Seattle this summer. The historic Paramount Theatre will host the Wiggles for two shows on August 10th. Tickets  for the Seattle shows will support Reach Out and Read programs here in Washington. Take a child in your life to join The Wiggles, Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus, Wags the Dog and all the Wiggly Dancers as they celebrate their Big Birthday in Seattle, and help other families in the process! Please spread the word to parents and grandparents you know.

 

GIVE BIG SURPASSES GOAL BY MILLIONS!

GiveBIG
Reach Out and Read benefited from the biggest day of giving in King County history.   The Seattle Foundation's GiveBIG challenge on June 23 raised over $3.5 million dollars for 900 non-profit organizations.  In 18 hours there were nearly 19,000 individual contributions.  Reach Out and Read thanks our donors for paticipating, and looks forward to next year!   If you were unable to participate on 6/23, you can always click to donate to Reach Out and Read Washington State at any time. Thank you for your support!

 

REACH OUT AND READ SUMMER OF A MILLION BOOKS CAMPAIGN REACHES HALFWAY MARK

summer of a million books logoReach Out and Read doctors have given out over 500,000 books so far this summer!  Reach Out and Read is a year-round program, giving families the tools and the guidance they need to prepare their children to succeed in school.   Help us reach our second annual summer goal to give a brand-new, age-appropriate book to one million children in need before International Literacy Day on September 8. You can help! Donate a book or sponsor a child online through Reach Out and Read's Virtual Book DriveYour donation will directly support children in Washington state.

Learn more about the Summer of a Million Books campaign.

 

HELP PUT BOOKS IN THE HANDS OF CHILDREN

Support Reach Out and Read while you shop

Dr.Woodruff and familyYou can help doctors put books into children's hands without spending an extra dime! If you do any shopping online via Amazon.com, a portion of your purchase can support ROR across Washington state.  Simply go to www.reachoutandreadwa.org and click on the Amazon.com logo on the left bottom corner of the page to begin your shopping.  If you click through and make a purchase, at least 4% will go directly to Reach Out and Read in Washington! This is an ongoing partnership for us, so please take this extra step before shopping at Amazon and share this opportunity with your friends and family.
Please consider also making a direct tax-deductible donation to Reach Out and Read: Donate on Line. Just $5 can help place a beautiful book where it belongs, in a child's home.

Photo courtesy of Pediatrics Northwest PS, Tacoma

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK 

Find us on Facebook

 

Reach Out and Read Washington State is now on Facebook.  If you are a Facebook user, we would appreciate your support as we work to build our presence and increase awareness about our work. Please indicate you LIKE us.  If you could also suggest our Facebook page to your friends, that would go a long way in helping us spread our message about early literacy - thanks!

 

ABOUT REACH OUT AND READ WASHINGTON STATE

Reach Out and Read helps prepare children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together.  Our evidence-based, proven program leverages the volunteer time of doctors to make literacy a standard part of well-child visits. Reach Out and Read supports parents as their child's first teacher. Through 125 programs in 28 counties, over 800 medical providers serve more than 68,000 children and families.

Founded in 2007, Reach Out and Read Washington State supports programs across the state.  We are part of the national, evidence-based Reach Out and Read Program, founded in 1989.
  
CONTACT INFORMATION
Reach Out and Read Washington State

Dr. Jill Sells - Regional Director   

[email protected]
Dr. Mary Ann Woodruff - Medical Director  [email protected]
Jessica Mortensen, MLIS - Program Director  [email protected]  
OFFICE INFORMATION:

Telephone - 206-524-3579
Fax - 206-524-4768
  

Address - 155 NE 100th Street - Suite 301, Seattle WA 98125