By Denise Gary
Photos by Bruce Matsunaga and Denise Gary
Kids Need to Read was overjoyed to receive a $10,000 Special Impact Grant from Pi Beta Phi Foundation to fund books and literacy programming for The Page Coach, a mobile conveyor of literary treasure to children living in low socioeconomic neighborhoods in the Mesa/Phoenix metropolitan area and beyond. Kids Need to Read was invited to submit the grant by local literacy partners, Pi Beta Phi Phoenix Alumnae Club. Together, our two organizations work to provide literacy assistance to disadvantaged children.
The van known as The Page Coach was funded in total by Employees Community Fund of Boeing Arizona and is currently having a vehicle wrap designed and installed in final preparations for programming and book deliveries. The Pi Beta Phi Foundation award was the first received to fund the books, reading buddies, and supplemental materials necessary for The Page Coach to begin its outreach. We are absolutely thrilled to receive such a generous contribution in order to get our wheels rolling! We hope other individuals, organizations and businesses will get behind the project with equal enthusiasm to help Kids Need to Read stuff the coach full of magical treasures!
The Pi Beta Phi Foundation limits their Special Impact Grant awards to five organizations annually, so Kids Need to Read is indeed honored to have been selected to put their generosity to the best use possible. Said Pi Beta Phi Foundation Executive Director Hallee Winnie, “The Special Impact Grant Committee has reviewed the work of your organization and our Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to support your literacy efforts.”
The Page Coach will be hitting the trail to provide inspiring books, engaging programs, lovable reading buddies, and vital supplemental reading resources to children throughout the valley and Arizona. Local authors, illustrators, costuming groups, and other talented folks will be able to join in on the fun. If you or your company can help provide books, stuffed reading buddies, supplies, prize swag, or cash sponsorships, please contact KNTR at info@kidsneedtoread.org. Large sponsorships will be acknowledged with a logo decal on the back of The Page Coach.
Kids Need to Read thanks Pi Beta Phi Foundation for their generosity and trust, and for helping to fill The Page Coach with literary treasure on behalf of children who do not have adequate access to books and literacy support. We are sincerely grateful to our terrific partners Kim OBrien, Heather Miller, and the entire Pi Beta Phi Phoenix Alumnae Club for their continuous, passionate support of KNTR’s literacy initiatives. We are extremely excited to “hit the trail” delivering dreams and inspiring imagination together!
To The Page Coach, partners!
The Page Coach Major Funding Partners
Employees Community Fund of Boeing Arizona
Highlights for Children
Pi Beta Phi Foundation
