Kids Need to Read was the fortunate recipient of a generous $25,000 grant award from Thunderbirds Charities. This is the third year of funding Kids Need to Read has received from Thunderbirds Charities, which has provided over $147 million of charitable donations to Arizona-based organizations over the years. The funds will be used to provide books and other reading resources to children living in low socioeconomic and rural areas of Arizona via The Page Coach, Kids Need to Read’s mobile conveyor of literary treasure.
The Page Coach was selected for funding because of its ability to reach areas traditionally overlooked by many literacy programs, including remote areas where children live without electricity and running water. Kids Need to Read has also worked with Thunderbirds Charities to deliver books to the Blessings in a Backpack program at Nevitt Elementary School in Tempe, Arizona via The Page Coach.
“Ensuring that children have access to books is vital to breaking the cycle of generational illiteracy that exists in many impoverished areas of the state,” said Kids Need to Read Executive Director Denise Gary. “The Page Coach makes it possible for our organization to deliver books to children living in areas where the need is greatest. We believe that books can provide children with the ability to dream of a life beyond their current challenges and to follow those dreams.”
Together, Kids Need to Read and Thunderbirds Charities work to help children discover the joy of reading and the power of a literate mind.
The Page Coach Contributors
Cox Charities
Embraer Foundation
Employees Community Fund of Boeing Arizona
Mesa United Way
Phoenix Suns Charities
Pi Beta Phi Foundation
Pi Beta Phi Phoenix Alumnae Club
Thunderbirds Charities
About Thunderbirds Charities
In 1986 Thunderbirds Charities, a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation was established for the purpose of distributing money to charitable causes. Funds are raised through the Waste Management Phoenix Open and direct gifts to Thunderbirds Charities. The tremendous support of the community allows the organization to achieve its charitable goals. The mission of Thunderbirds Charities is to assist children and families, help people in need and improve the quality of life in our communities.
