The last day of the 5th Annual Giving Circle/Wright to Read book drive is approaching fast. On April 30 from 10 am to 1 pm, we’ll be gathering at Wright to Read at 414 N. Washington Street to assemble the summer reading packs from all the books so generously donated over the last several weeks.
We need 15 adults, children welcome to attend with their parents, to help with this effort. This project is ideal for children in 3rd grade and up. You don’t have to stay the whole time, just come when you can. You can easily sign up by using VolunteerSpot (just click here) to see what times we need filled. Or you can email Christine Labrecque to let her know when to expect you so she can make sure the entire time is covered.
It’s a fun little event to do with children for children. Hope to see you there!
to contribute a K-2 book to the Giving Circle/Wright to Read book drive for summer reading. We still need a few more books for grades K-2 (since many of the donations for that age group are well loved rather than gently used).
Call Hooray for Books at 703-548-4092 and ask them to help you choose a book or two from the wish list for the summer reading packs. You can pay by phone, receive a 15% discount, and Hooray for Books will take care of delivering the gift to Wright to Read. And of course you can make your gift in person too if you are shopping at Hooray for Books anyway. How easy is that?
A BIG THANK YOU to Hooray for Books for their strong support of this project and to all the generous people in Alexandria who have contributed to the summer reading packs this year!
For three days, May 5, 6, & 7, Alexandrians from all walks of life will prove once again why Alexandria is the most generous online giving city in America during the first annual Spring2ACTion giving event. Spring2ACTion is a collaborative effort to change philanthropy in Alexandria forever. Nonprofits of all sizes will engage thousands of local supporters using the Spring2ACTion website, www.spring2action.org, transforming Alexandria philanthropy into a massive grassroots effort.
Our goal is to raise $3750 during Spring2ACTion. That’s 50 women giving $75 each to our priority gift which will support parental engagement programs here in Alexandria. Add Spring2ACTion to your calendar now, check out the web site for details and share this with your friends, family and neighbors. More to come!
Research shows that the best predictor of academic loss or gain over the summer is whether or not a child reads. For low-income families with less access to books and libraries, reading achievement declines an average of three months over summer break. This loss accumulates to two years by middle school. (Bridging the Summer Reading Gap, Instructor, May/June 2003)
The Giving Circle is partnering with Wright to Read for a fifth year to provide 1200 Alexandria children with three new or gently used books to enjoy during summer break. Many thanks to those of you who have already donated books and funds to support this Book Drive through our recent Baskets for Books events. Couldn’t make it to one of these? There are three ways to help provide books and give these children an academic boost next fall:
- Donate gift-quality used books appropriate for Kindergarten through 6th grades. You may drop your books off at Wright to Read located at 414 N. Washington St., Ste 101 in Old Town Alexandria.
- Donate new books.Please see this year’s Summer Reading Wish List for a list of new books needed. Local children’s bookseller Hooray for Books at 1555 King Street is offering 15% discounts off your Wright to Read purchases. Or you may place a phone order with Hooray for Books at 703.548.4092 and they will deliver your order directly to Wright to Read.
- Make a monetary donation to support the Book Drive. Wright to Read will use all money received to buy books for summer reading packs. Make your check payable to ACT/The Giving Circle, write “Summer Book Drive” in the memo line and mail it to Christine Labrecque at P.O. Box 1627, Alexandria VA 22313.
Thank you for your support! Any questions? Please email Christine Labrecque.
Come for 2 hrs or just 15 minutes! Make 100 baskets or none at all! The point is to have a good time for a good cause. There is no admission charge — you can bring a cash or check donation of any amount (payable to ACT/The Giving Circle of Alexandria).
Saturday, March 5
10:00 am to 12:00 Noon
Alexandria Country Day School
2400 Russell Road
Click to download a sponsorship form.
Please also consider bringing gently-used or new books to the event. Tax receipts will be provided for all donations.
Can’t Come to Baskets for Books? Here are Some Other Ways to Help:
- Donate new and gift-quality used books appropriate for Kindergarten through 6th grades. If you cannot attend one of the Baskets for Books events, you may drop the books any time on the porch of Pamela Larson’s home near the Masonic Memorial. Send Pamela an e-mail for street address.
- Please see this year’s Summer Reading Wish List if you would like to purchase books yourself.
- Local children’s bookseller Hooray for Books at 1555 King Street is offering 15% discounts off your Wright to Read purchases. Or you may place a phone order with Hooray for Books at 703.548.4092 and they will deliver your order directly to Wright to Read!!
- Too busy to shoot hoops or shop? Please consider a monetary donation to support the Book Drive. Wright to Read will use all money received to buy books for summer reading packs. Make your check payable to ACT/The Giving Circle, write “Summer Book Drive” in the memo line and mail it to Christine Labrecque at P.O. Box 1627, Alexandria VA 22313.
The Center for Alexandria’s Children is hosting an Oscar Night Gala on Thursday, February 24 at Belle Haven Country Club. Tickets start at $125, and can be purchased here.
To quote a recent Alexandria Gazette Packet article by writer Gale Curcio about the Gala and the CAC (February 10, 2011, pages 3-4):
“Playgroups focus on the importance of learning through play and the key role parents play. Developmental playgroups aim to improve school-readiness by providing a social environment for children ages 0 to 5 with developmentally appropriate activities. Playgroups also provide parents an opportunity to connect with each other and to community resources. Developmental playgroups, including one administered in Spanish, are provided in partnership with SCAN of Northern Virginia, the Giving Circle of Alexandria and ACT for Alexandria.”
Hope to see you there!
