Hello KNTR Friends,
Some of you may remember my Thank You for Caring! message not too long ago. In it, I thanked all of you for voting for Kids Need to Read in The Christie Cookie $25,000 Charity Giveaway. Even though we did not win the contest, I said we won big in another way by witnessing your enthusiastic support for our mission.
Well, I had a wonderful surprise placed in my hands by the smiling FedEx delivery man this morning. It was a box . . . from The Christi Cookie Company. “Ooooooo,” I thought, “yummy cookies!” Sure enough, nestled inside was a large, superbly packaged tin of cookies, given to Kids Need to Read for finishing in the top 50. Yep, I snuck one of the chocolate chip cookies already! I tell you straight, it was one of the finest chocolate chip cookies I have ever eaten. (Seriously, it was that good!)
But there was more. A little envelope with our name on it. . . . Yes! Inside was a check for $100 “to encourage and support” Kids Need to Read! Now, you may ask why I am getting all worked up over $100 when the top prize was $10,000. Because it was unexpected! Because the company did not need to give out extra money they did not advertise they would be giving away! Because that is generous giving! That $100 provides lots of books and it means that all of your warm efforts on our behalf yielded some unexpected results for KNTR. As Christie Cookies put it, “It was obvious by your voting results that you have passionate, committed supporters.”
But wait, there is more! You will receive an email from The Christie Cookie Company designating 20% of your purchases from now until December 25, 2009 to Kids Need to Read. All you have to do is include this specific key code when you order online: 25K32. So, if you know someone who loves great cookies, your gift to them will support KNTR, as well.
I wish I could share these yummy cookies with all of you! I am going to bring them to the Whedonopolis event this Friday and share them with our supporters there. That’s after I give a couple to my husband; we must keep him happy!!!
I will leave you with another beautiful gift I received this morning – one you all can share in.
Wow!!! Your organization has truly helped fill a big void in our school library/resource center! Thank you so much for your generous donation of books for our students. I can’t wait to process and display all the fantastic graphic novels and high interest books! As you know, we have a large population of reluctant readers, as well as a self-contained program for emotionally disturbed students. The titles that you have selected are the perfect prescription for developing their passion for reading.
Truly, Kids do Need to Read, and your foundation has done a great service to the students of Baltimore City. I look forward to sending you more specific student feedback later in the year, but I just wanted to send a big THANK YOU from all of us here at Maritime Industries Academy #431.
Please know that what you have done is appreciated. Our principal, Ms. Joy Savage, as well as our nearly 600 students, pass along their gratitude as well! – Jason Mabee, Media Specialist, Maritime Industries Academy #431, Baltimore City Public Schools, Maryland
Remember to create a culture of reading around the children in your lives. Show them they live in a world without limits.
Gratefully,
Denise Gary
Executive Director
