 As the New Year rolls in—REACH out and help us make a difference in the lives of homeless and at-risk youth in our community. There are so many ways to help each and every day to support the literacy needs of these children.
Reading Enriches All Children (REACH) is the only agency of its kind providing read aloud and literacy programming every week for children living in twelve local homeless and domestic violence shelters in South Hampton Roads. The need for our services is as strong today as when we were founded more than thirteen years ago by local educator, Kristin Hildum. We have expanded to now include our Growing Readers initiative that provides free lightly used books to area educators and programs serving kids who would not otherwise have books of their own. We have established book-give-away libraries at the shelters we serve along with over 100 schools, the Children’s Museum of Virginia and many faith based, social service and community programs that work with at risk children and youth.
Here are simple ways to assist and bring REACH into the New Year providing literacy programs to even more children:
Make a Tax-deductible Donation
In the 2011 fiscal year we served 730 children in twelve shelters--accomplishing this with a staff of just two people, over 250 volunteers and a "wholelotta" penny-pinching.
REACH will run all twelve programs and outreach activities in the community and at our shelters for less than $100,000 this year. Your generosity does make a HUGE difference!
Ways to Help:
NAP Tax Credits (Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credits)
Individuals or married couples who donate a minimum of $500 to REACH in the form of cash or marketable securities (maximum of $50,000) during the tax year will receive a 40 percent tax credit on their Virginia State Taxes. Businesses that donate a minimum of $1,000 to REACH in cash, stock, merchandise or real estate (maximum of $437,500) during the tax year will also receive a 40 percent tax credit on their Virginia State Taxes. Donation much be made by 12/31/2011.
Currently, tax deductible donations in any amount can be made by mailing a check payable to REACH and sent to:
REACH
809 Brandon Ave., Suite 208
Norfolk, VA 23517
Or via PayPal on our website at www.reachreads.org. Contact reach@reachreads.org or call 757-627-4722 for more information.
 Send Books via AMAZON
We use books in all our sessions and provide two free books to each child that attends a Read-Aloud. These are carefully selected to be high interest books for the kids. In addition, we list small office and crafting supplies that would be tremendously helpful.
You can find our wish list on AMAZON.COM WISHLISTS.
Donate your favorite children’s book for a child in need. Purchase from your favorite bookseller and please tell them about REACH. (We are trying to REACH as many booksellers as possible as well.)
Workplace Contributions
Contribute through the Combined Federal Campaign by designating CFC number 28672; Combined Virginia Campaign 5034; or through the United Way Campaign: REACH, INC
Encourage your employer to participate, or request REACH as your Campaign Speaker.
Wrap Books during the Winter Holidays
Spend 2 hours wrapping gifts at local area book stores. You can select a shift at a book store participating this year. Consider creating teams of family, co-workers and friends. This is a perfect way for school age students to contribute.
The Gift-wrapping for REACH Campaign was a huge success last year thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our bookstore partners at Barnes & Noble and our incredible Volunteers!
Invite REACH to speak to your club, troop, sorority, fraternity, civic league or faith group.
Please remember these book stores when you are making your book purchases and let them know how much their support means to REACH!
• Bargain Books, Wards Corner, Norfolk
• Barnes & Noble Macarthur
• Barnes & Noble Town Center
• Barnes & Noble Greenbrier
• Prince Books, Downtown Norfolk
Sponsor a Reading Angel Tree this Holiday Season
The ultimate goal of the REACH Reading Angel program is to get new books into the hands of at risk children during the holiday season and throughout the year. A Reading Angel ornament is made for each child that includes a child’s age and gender and details about the requested book or a book that is age appropriate. The ornaments are placed on holiday trees provided by sponsoring organizations. To find out how to display a Reading Angel Tree at your place of business or faith community, adopt Reading Angels or to locate a tree in your community, contact REACH at 757-627-4722 or email volunteer@reachreads.org.
The Reading Angel tree is great for a Workplace, Community or Faith based Holiday Book Drive!!
Contact REACH at 757-627-4722, or Jordan Hall, Volunteer and Program Coordinator at volunteer@reachreads.org if you would like to assist our program as a gift wrapper, reader, or book runner.
REACH
809 Brandon Ave., Ste. 208
Norfolk, VA 23517
757-627-4722
www.reachreads.org |
