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Our Second Annual Read to Lead Gala was a wonderful success! The evening was spent enjoying delicious appetizers and mingling about the Salisbury House. Those who attended helped us raise money for our current and future Power Lunch programs, met local authors, and had access to the Salisbury House Library. The event was filled with wonderful music, bidding on 27 silent auction baskets and mingling with other Everybody Wins! Iowa supporters.
We would like to specially thank each of the authors who attended the event: Kay Fenton Smith & Carol Roh Spaulding, Lori Ferris, Wini Moranville, Jill Hathaway, Elvin McDonald, Jan Freed, Reha Basu, Jade Miller, Tana Goertz, and Dr. Paul Mullen.
Tana Goertz showcasing Salisbury House Library
her children's book
Tyler Coleman & Justin Supporters on the patio for Von Ahsen providing live the evening program music in the Historic Garage
The night would have been the success without the help of our sponsors: Newberry Presenting Sponsor: CenturyLink, Pulitzer Food & Beverage Sponsor: Drew Gentsch, Board President of Everybody Wins! Iowa, in partnership with Whitfield & Eddy Law Firm PLC, Caldecott Program Sponsor: Ernst & Young, Illustrator Keynote Speaker Sponsor: Matt & Jeanette Grohe, Carnegie Author Sponsors: Anonymous Donor, Matt and Anne Ahmann, Michael Diver and Linda Shackelford, Luke and Summer Evans, Tyler and Kara Hogue, The IMT Group, Louis and Connie Kelehan, and Mike and Kate Salvner.
We also greatly appreciate the in-kind donations we received from Pepsi Co, HyVee, Gateway Market, Mid-America Publishing, MidAmerican Energy, and many local businesses for their donations to our Silent Auction baskets.
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School Spotlight: King Elementary
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Through our program at King Elementary, Everybody Wins! Iowa is changing the lives of students and mentors. This year was the first year Everybody Wins! Iowa had programming at King Elementary. In the fall, Everybody Wins! Iowa partnered with Drake University to have first year students come to King Elementary on Fridays to mentor a group of second grade students. Due to the success of the program, we have been able to not only continue the program this semester, but also grow the program to be able to serve even more students.
The King Elementary Power Lunch program currently reaches 39 second, fourth, and fifth grade students. Peter Le Blanc, Principal at King Elementary, says he has seen a difference in the students excitement to read. "I am truly grateful that we have such wonderful people like those that volunteer with Everybody Wins! Iowa who are willing to give their time for our students. The time that they have given has made a tremendous impact on the lives of our students."
Cynthia and Yamam displaying the book she received during Power Lunch week!
The students are not the only ones who win! The mentors enjoy seeing the excitement in the children's eyes when reading to them. "The relationship between the mentor and the student grows so quickly," says mentor Lindsey Pallas, a first-year Drake University student. "One minute you are reading Dr. Seuss and the next you are talking about your personal lives. I can't wait until Friday to see my students." The students are often so excited to come read, they show up early! "It brightens my day to know that this program is giving so much to these individuals." says Kelcy Smith, School Coordinator who is also a Drake University Student. "When the students see their mentor, the student's face beams with joy. It is really spectacular."
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Do you have a new book or a gently used book that you wish a child could read? On Tuesday, April 23 from 3:30-5:00 pm, the DU Blue Book Bash is an event where the students will be able to swap an old book for a brand new book. If a student is unable to bring in an old book they will still be able to receive a new book! The event will be held at Drake University's Olmsted Center (2507 University Ave.). Book donations will be going to Better World Books. During the event there will be healthy snacks, reading, crafts and other activities based on the 104th annual running of the Drake Relays.
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Everybody Wins! Iowa will be participating in the Birdies for Charity in 2013 at the Principal Charity Classic. Make your pledge for Everybody Wins! Iowa on their website now!
What is Birdies for Charity?
The Birdies for Charity program is a fundraising vehicle through which participating organizations solicit pledges from supporters based on the number of birdies made by PGA Champions Tour players during the three-day Principal Charity Classic. Participating organizations will keep 100% of the pledges collected on their behalf.
How It Works: Participants can make a one-time flat donation (minimum $25), or make a pledge for each birdie made ($.05 per birdie minimum) by Champions Tour players during the 2013 Principal Charity Classic. Once a total of $1,500 is raised by an organization, each gift to the organization will be matched by 25%.
April Prizes: Anyone who pledges to Everybody Wins! Iowa before May 5, will be entered to win a new gas grill donated by John Deere Financial.
Been waiting for the perfect time to pledge on behalf of Everybody Wins! Iowa through Birdies for Charity? Well, that time is NOW! During the month of May, we will be giving out four tickets to The Principal Charity Classic, taking place May 28-June 2, each week to a lucky winner! To be entered into the drawing in order to have a chance at winning, all you have to do is make a pledge for Everybody Wins! Iowa through the Birdies for Charity program. Once you have submitted your pledge, your name will go into the drawing, and you will be eligible to win a pack of four tickets to the tournament. Winners will be announced every Friday during the month of May (except for the last Friday of the month).
Principal Charity Classic
May 28 - June 2, 2013
Wakonda Club, Des Moines, Iowa
Click here to make your gift to Everybody Wins! Iowa.
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Feel your creative side coming on? Come to The Social Canvas on May 23rd! The Social Canvas is an upbeat art studio where you will take a fun class guided by an artist. Everybody Wins! Iowa will get $10 for every painter who comes to paint on May 23rd from 6-9. The painting will be of Gerber Daisies. Bring your friends, co-workers, and family members for this fun filled evening! Sign up early as there are only 60 spots! For more information about The Social Canvas and to register to paint that night, please visit their website at http://www.thesocialcanvas.com. If you have any other questions, please call the Everybody Wins! Iowa office at 515-277-7590.
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Grants received by
Everybody Wins! Iowa
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Everybody Wins! Iowa received a $1,000 from Alliant Energy. This grant will allow us to continue our 21 programs in helping children to succeed in school and life. We are excited to receive funding from another great organization in the community. 
Everybody Wins! Iowa received a $5,000 grant from Wells Fargo which will be used to sponsor our program at Walnut Street School. Walnut Street School has a Power Lunch program on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week. Currently, there are 74 students at the Walnut Street School who are involved in our program. We are thrilled to not only have another school sponsor, but to also have great volunteer support from Wells Fargo as well.
A $2,000 grant from Scheels was used to purchase books from the Scholastic book fair to help fill our shelves at our 21 Power Lunch Reading programs. The grant helped purchase over 9 boxes full of books! We are appreciate the continued support we receive from Scheels.
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Are you wondering what it takes to be a good mentor? A way to find out, is by asking yourself what attributes good mentors in YOUR life have. If you believe you do not contain every attribute you think a mentor should have, this does not mean you would be a great mentor. Students are not perfect nor do they expect their mentors to be. Instead, they look for someone who is genuinely interested in them. If you decide mentoring is not your thing, but you still have a desire to help young people, there are still opportunities for you to help! Feel free to click here to see how YOU can help today!
-Information retrieved from The Mentor's Field Guide
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Our Mission
Increasing children's success in school through reading and mentoring experiences with caring volunteers.
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Message from the Executive Director:
"We are grateful to our sponsors, donors, authors and those who attended Read to Lead. This event was a great way to celebrate our growth and success this past year! Your continuous support has allowed us to mentor over 100 additional children this school year!"
Gratefully,
-Amanda Fletcher,
Executive Director, Everybody Wins! Iowa
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