Newletters & Reports October 18, 2022

October 2022 newsletter

New website, RBIs for Literacy, planning book drives, and more!

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The rumors are true: there’s a new pageahead.org! BIG thank you to our friends at White Rabbit who designed and built it for us.

PACCAR + Mariners = Books for Kids

PACCAR has teamed up with the Seattle Mariners through the RBIs for Literacy program to benefit Page Ahead, and together, they create thousands of reading opportunities for kids in need. Now in its 16th season, this incredible partnership has given over 280,000 books to create home libraries for more than 23,000 kids who need them most. 

Pictured left to right is PACCAR Foundation executive Ken Hastings, PACCAR Kenworth employee Tera McCormack, Page Ahead executive director Susan Dibble, and Page Ahead board member Bri Pentecost.

And that’s only part of the story.  PACCAR employees also support kids and reading by holding a company-wide book drive and volunteering to read with students. This September they collected 2,650 new books via their book drive. Thank you, PACCAR, for your incredible partnership!

Plan a holiday book drive

Hosting a book drive to benefit the kids Page Ahead serves is a great way for your company, corporate team, or even a group like an extended family or book club to celebrate the spirit of giving AND make a difference in a child’s life. 

For example, our friends at the Graduate Hotel are holding a book drive right now, which you can learn about here.

Learn more about the great opportunity for giving back during the holidays—or anytime!—here.

Or, to make it even easier: Contact us!

Thank you to our friends at Stryker who held an amazing book drive last year—and are at it again this year!

Frequently asked question:

Will you take my slightly used kids’ books? They’re in good condition!

Answer:

No (though we do have some suggestions of other places that will take used books); we think it’s especially important that the kids we serve get to have NEW books. “We’ve had hand-me-down books for a long time,” a parent of a kindergartner at Arlington Elementary in Tacoma told us recently. “For my daughter to receive new books, it makes her feel as though they were special for her and it motivates her to read more.”

Fall is workplace giving season

Did you know you can support kids and reading through a payroll deduction? Workplace campaigns allow you to designate Page Ahead as your charity of choice—simply select Page Ahead (AKA Books for Kids) on your giving form or in your corporate giving portal.

We are also happy to come speak (virtually) at any campaign kickoffs or team meetings—just get in touch. Email us!

Returning to the office this fall? Continuing remote work for the immediate future? If you’d like to hold a workplace fundraiser or book drive either online or in person, we can help with that, too! Click here for ideas or get in touch.

Public employees campaign codes for Page Ahead (AKA Books for Kids):

  • Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), federal employees: #47136
  • Combined Fund Drive of Washington (CFD), state employees: #0315741
  • King County employees: #2751

In memoriam

We are sad to report that a very beloved Page Ahead volunteer and friend, Jane Hodges, has recently passed away. After teaching in the Edmonds School District for more than twenty years, Jane joined Page Ahead as a volunteer in 2016. Jane was a dedicated Story Time volunteer for the kindergarten classrooms at Hawthorne Elementary School and a fearless book fair helper at many of the schools we serve with Book Up Summer. She was willing to go where the need was greatest, no matter how far the drive, as she enjoyed traveling. She will be dearly missed, and her memory will be an inspiration.

Jane Hodges during a Story Time

“Miss Jane became a favorite visitor in my kindergarten classroom this year. She brought engaging new books and presented them with enthusiasm. The children loved listening to her and the follow-up craft was both meaningful and easy to assemble.” — teacher, Hawthorne Elementary School

“Jane comes prepared with her book and lesson plan organized. She is excellent in managing the classroom environment during story time and craft time. She is always upbeat and cheerful, and she spreads sunshine whenever she comes to visit. The students LOVE Miss Jane the Story Lady!” — teacher, Hawthorne Elementary School

Coming soon: First Tech’s Season of Giving

Our friends at First Tech Federal Credit Union will once again be running their Season of Giving community campaign, and Page Ahead will be in running for a $7,500 grant!

Voting opens November 1, so stay tuned—your vote could make the difference for Page Ahead and the kids we serve!

If you think Page Ahead is a great nonprofit, let us know!

GreatNonprofits—a review site like TripAdvisor—is honoring highly reviewed nonprofits with their 2022 Top-Rated Awards. Your review of your experience being part of the Page Ahead community will help us raise visibility (and funds from more supporters!). It’s easy and will take just two minutes. Go to our page on GreatNonprofits.org to get started!

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kindergartner surrounded by his new home library
a student wearing a mask reads her new books at her desk