Greetings Kids Need to Read supporters! To all of you who contributed time, funds, or books to this organization in 2011, we thank you so very much for creating an absolutely magical year for KNTR! It is because of your belief in our work that we have been able to increase our program donations, as well as develop new programs aimed at increasing literacy rates across the country. The fact that we devoted a great deal of attention in 2010 toward our structural organization, including building our book distribution system, has paid off enormously in 2011, allowing us to focus deeply on developing or expanding programs for maximum impact. We will continue this work in 2012, because we believe the magic of providing books to children lies in how those books are put to use. Here are some of the highlights of our year, accomplished only through your generous support of our cause:
* The total number of books we provided doubled from 7,422 in 2010 to 14,901 in 2011. The value of these books more than doubled, from $57,357 to $149,652. We tripled the number of organizations served to 46, but most importantly of all, we more than quadrupled the number of children served to an astonishing 29,239 from 6,456 in 2010. Approximately 76 percent of the children we served lived at or below the poverty level. (See 2010 Annual Report. The Kids Need to Read 2011 Annual Report will be posted later this quarter.)
* Kids Need to Read has partnered with Arizona State University to produce an innovative program for middle school students aimed at increasing literacy rates and decreasing dropout rates. We are working with ASU Preparatory Academy on this 2-year pilot program, which we eventually hope to expand nationally. Developing this program—named Reading Revolution—has been extremely exciting and could potentially have a major impact on literacy rates in failing schools. The middle school teachers at ASU Prep are working together, using the books we provide in their English language arts, science, math, and social studies core curriculum. The school is reporting a significant increase in reading self-motivation from the first unit of study, based on the economic, time measurement, and justice systems presented in The Softwire series. A second unit of study is underway that focuses on overcoming adversity and peaceful conflict resolution. Data will be collected to gauge the program’s success. (We will be creating a special web page for Reading Revolution in January.)
* Kids Need to Read has won three grants for Reading Revolution so far (totaling $8,520) and we have only begun the grant process for this program. We thank National Home Library Foundation, Avnet Contributions Council, and Arizona Diamondbacks for supporting this important project.
* Our Literacy Enrichment Program was implemented this year to ensure the books KNTR provides are constructively used, rather than merely shelved. A list of literacy activities and a program performance survey accompany each of our book donations. After an activity is performed and the survey is completed, each organization receives a second shipment of books. This program is catching on to positive results, especially for those organizations that make the most of the opportunity. We are receiving activity results from our fall program and plan to create a special website section devoted to this program in January.
* Kids Need to Read believes any organization working on behalf of children should do its part to promote peace, leadership, and violence prevention among our youth. Responding to this increasing need, we created Kids Need to Read Peace Packages, which are provided to every organization we assist.
* One of our most rewarding projects has been working with the volunteers of SARRC’s (Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center) GoodDeedWorks team. They have brightened our lives twice with their cheerful attitude and work ethic. Of course, they do not leave our office without books in their hands! Another fulfilling experience was chatting about life leadership with teen moms earning their GEDs at Child and Family Resources’ dropout recovery program. Naturally, they all received books, too.
* Kids Need to Read supports Free Comic Book Day every year, believing comics to be a powerful portal to literacy, as well as a classic art form that should be preserved for future generations. In 2011, we participated in the nationwide celebration at Hero Comics, handing out literacy resources to the many kids who visited the store. Hero Comics later conducted a super exciting Kids Need to Read Day at the store, which turned out to be an amazing event. We were blown away by the enthusiastic support of many of the valley’s most incredible artists and costuming groups.
* After inhabiting our first office space for only a year, we had to find a larger place. We were busting out of our tiny room and small basement storage area. After searching, we struck a deal for a free standing converted house, which quadrupled our space at nearly the same rent. Now, we can put our books on shelves and find the titles we need. It is a very comfortable “home” and we are so happy to be able to work there. We thank Commercial Properties, Inc for helping to make this location an affordable option for us.
* Kids Need to Read was extremely pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Marlinda White-Kaulaity to the Board of Directors early this year. Dr. White-Kaulaity is an expert in Native American literature. Authors Jackie Morris and James A. Owen graciously accepted appointments to the Kids Need to Read Advisory Council.
* There are no words that can adequately express how awe-inspiring Memorial Day weekend was for KNTR at Phoenix Comicon 2011. We were overwhelmed at the outpouring of support we received. All in all, $20,000 was raised for Kids Need to Read during the event, including $10,000 raised directly from the KNTR Geek Prom, sponsored by Bookmans. There were so many kind souls who contributed to the success of the weekend and to all of them, we extend our deepest gratitude.
* Bookmans continues to be a much appreciated year-round partner, sponsoring the KNTR Geek Prom, a Willie Wonka fundraiser, the wonderful goodie backpacks we give to kids at most of our events, and our volunteer holiday party.
* Our 2012 calendar turned out beautifully and our 2013 calendar will be unveiled soon. Life Alert Emergency Response is our much appreciated title sponsor once again! We are so grateful to the talented illustrators who contributed original art pieces to the calendar and all of the sponsors who made the printing possible.
* Carus Publishing joined KNTR as a new partner, providing us with Cricket and Cicada magazines. We have desired their magazines for two years, as they fill the void for the older kids who have outgrown the Highlights magazines we are so fortunate to receive through our continuing partnership with Highlights for Children. Not only do we provide these magazines to our benefiting organizations but we often give them to kids at various events.
* Barnes & Noble in Chandler had huge success with their holiday book drive for KNTR last year, so we were lucky to have two locations conduct book drives for us this year (Chandler and Mesa)! They have raised thousands of books for KNTR, which has had a significant impact on our giving. As a result, we are currently sending book donations to 22 organizations that have long been on our waiting list. Arizona Renaissance Festival also conducted a terrific book drive for KNTR during Pirate Weekend. Not only were several hundred new books donated to KNTR, but we had so much fun just being there.
* Author Jeanne McNaney donated over five thousand copies of her books to KNTR (including shipping costs). Mass donations like this really help us broaden our giving directly to children as part of special projects and events.
* Browncoats and Nathan Fillion fans continue to be a vital source of support for KNTR. The various fan projects and groups raised a total of $36,504 for KNTR in 2011, contributing enormously to the success of our year.
* We are so grateful to the many journalists who help spread awareness for KNTR through articles and interviews. The most recent interview, conducted by Intrepid Media’s Tracey L. Kelley, provides a well-rounded overview of KNTR, its programs, and its goals.
* Our staff is unabashedly enamored of our new donation recipients map! It is one thing to see a list of recipients yet quite another to see a map filled with donation locations. See how cool it is for yourself! (Be sure to zoom in so you can see all the locations that overlap each other when the map is zoomed out.)
* We are here to make a difference, so please read some of our testimonials. Here is a one of my favorite quotes: “I have a whole section of my library dedicated to my KNTR books, and many of my students head directly (and exclusively) to that area when looking for an independent reading book.”
There were so many people whose dedication made our year successful: volunteers, authors, businesses, groups, and individuals. Please know that every act of kindness and generosity is sincerely appreciated. Every donation makes a difference. Believe me when I say I read the name of every single donor—no matter the size of the donation—and I always voice a thank you. Your support matters! Every year we are able to further implement our plans to eradicate childhood illiteracy from the United States, and that is because of your time and contributions. We appreciate the many things you do to help us grow. We are on the right path and it is really starting to show!
On behalf of the Kids Need to Read staff, Board of Directors, and Advisory Council, I wish you a New Year filled with happiness and great books!
Most gratefully,
Denise Gary
Executive Director
P.S. This was one of our most popular blogs of the year: KNTR Founder “Arrested” and Thrown Behind Bars! It looks like we all like to have a little fun!
Photograph © Denise Gary
