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Newport News Company Supports RORVA |
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 (John Stegeman, President and CEO of Ferguson, reads his favorite children's book to preschool children at Riverside Pediatric and Family Clinic.)
Ferguson Enterprises, Inc., a Newport News-based company that is the country's largest wholesale distributor of plumbing supplies and numerous other mechanical products, continues to be a staunch supporter of Reach Out and Read Virginia.
In October, John Stegeman, president and CEO of Ferguson, and his wife, Cindy, read to a group of preschool children at Riverside Pediatric and Family Clinic as part of RORVA's statewide effort to foster a love of literacy in young children.
"Reading to our children stimulates thought and provides wonderful building blocks for young minds," John Stegeman said.
To read more about Stegeman's volunteer experience, visit RORVA's Blog. |
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Volunteer Corner |
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(This Barnes & Noble display reminds customers to buy books for children in need while they shop.)
Barnes & Noble Shoppers
Donate Books
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
sponsors a Holiday Book Drive for children's books each year, and each store chooses one or more local groups to receive books that are donated.
The Barnes & Noble location in the Creeks at Virginia Center (near Virginia Center Commons Mall just north of Richmond) has designated RORVA as one of its recipients this year.
So far, RORVA has received 450 new books! The book drive lasts through Jan. 4.
If you're in the Richmond area, consider stopping by Barnes & Noble - Virginia Center and buying a book for a child in need. You'll pay for the book with your other purchases and simply leave it with the cashier. RORVA officials will collect the books to distribute to the pediatricians we serve.
Thanks in advance for your support!
RORVA extends a heartfelt "Thank You" to some of our committed volunteers:
* Tia Owen
* Sandy Donaldson
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Visit Reach Out and Read on the Web! |
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Our national center celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2009.
To learn more about Reach Out and Read's programs and services, or about ROR programs around the nation, visit www.reachoutandread.org | |
| Welcome to Reach Out and Read Virginia's December Newsletter.
The staff is busy this month helping organizations schedule book drives and other volunteer projects to support RORVA in December and beyond. We're also continuing to give legislators opportunities to read to young patients at RORVA clinics across the state.
During this season of giving, please keep RORVA in mind as you decide how best to help families and children in need.
The gift of books is a gift of hope for many children, whose only escape from the challenges in their communities is through the pages of an imaginary tale or nonfiction book. You can make a difference!
Sincerely,
Sue Rockwell,
ROR VA Executive Director
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Legislative Update
Delegate Valentine Visits Lynchburg Site
RORVA appreciates the continued support of elected officials  who have visited Reach Out and Read sites in their districts in recent months, including Del. Shannon R. Valentine, D-Lynchburg (pictured right).
Valentine visited Richeson Drive Pediatrics in Lynchburg at the request of Dr. Melody Ailsworth. She read to young patients during a community-wide literacy project that included support from the local Success By 6 program and other organizations.
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Partnership for Families Northside Recognized
One of RORVA's primary sponsors, the Partnership for Families Northside, was recognized last month for the valuable support it provides to the Richmond Public School system through its initiatives.
The Partnership helps families prepare their children from birth to 5 years old to enter school healthy and ready to learn.
This groundbreaking organization is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation - corralling a range of human services agencies to collaborate on free and comprehensive family care, education and other support for families living in North Richmond.
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RORVA Literacy Fact for December
A three-year national study compared two urban clinics that were similar in every respect except that one of the practices sponsored a Reach Out and Read program.
Scores on standardized vocabulary tests for children who had participated in ROR were four to eight points higher than for children receiving services at the comparative clinic.
(Source: ROR National Center, 2001)
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You Can Help...
Give a Book, Change a Life!
Helping Reach Out and Read continue to help children can be as simple as:
* Hosting a book drive this winter.
Great locations to solicit support include the company you work for, a local business you frequent, community organizations, your church or your child's school.
We'll provide you with a donation box and written instructions on how to proceed.
To learn how you can participate in RORVA's Give A Book, Change A Life! book drive campaign, contact us today at info@rorva.org or (804) 521-0425 ext 3.
* Making a contribution.
* A donation of $40.00 buys one child the full, five-year ROR program, which includes 10 new, developmentally-appropriate books and literacy guidance for parents.
Unrestricted gifts allow us to expand the program around the state, making it possible to serve more than the 100,000 children already receiving books.
You may have recently received an annual appeal letter from RORVA. If so, we hope the information we shared was helpful and encouraged you to consider helping RORVA thrive.
If you did not receive our correspondence and would like to update your mailing address or be added to our donor database, please contact Sarah at seichner@rorva.org.
Contributions can be mailed to 1742 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228 or you can easily donate now by clicking here to visit the RORVA Donation Page.
Thank you for your continued support.
Happy Holidays from the RORVA staff! | |
