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g i v i n g g u i d e 2014 www.HartfordBusiness.com November25,2014•Hartford Business Journal 51 Reach Out And Read addresses a critical need with a successful model. At every checkup, pediatricians give new books to children to take home and keep, and speak with their parents about the importance of reading aloud, "prescribing literacy" one child at a time while supporting healthy brain development. Our efficacy is demonstrated through 15 independent research studies and in the American Academy of Pediatrics' 2014 policy statement, Literacy Promotion: An Essential Component of Primary Care Pediatric Practice. Our effective model has been featured several times by New York Times columnist Nick Kristof. By using the existing healthcare system, and doctors volunteering their time, we offer a cost-effective, scalable program that delivers results. In Connecticut, we reach 40,000 children and families distributing nearly 70,000 new books each year. Nationally we serve 4.1 million children. fundraisinG events/opportunities We offer customized Virtual Book Drives (VBD) to organizations/ corporations. Our VBD offers an easy platform for the community to prescribe books to children in need. Consider aligning your campaign with a holiday such as Read Across America, Week of the Young Child, Thanksgiving or Christmas. GivinG opportunities There is no better gift than giving a child the gift of reading. Choose to give a disadvantaged child the chance to read and succeed: • Adopt a Program: Sponsor one of our 70 Connecticut Reach Out and Read programs for an entire year (or multiple years). Our programs are located at medical clinics that predominantly serve low-income families. Annual program costs range from $5,000 — $60,000 depending on clinic size (equating to just $20.00 per child/per year). • Become a Book Buddy: Our Book Buddy program offers an easy way to share the gift of reading with children in need every month of the year. Set the amount once, and your donation will be charged automatically each month to give your gift of reading to disadvantaged children throughout our state. • Prescribe Literacy! For every $20 donation, one child receives a full year of Reach Out and Read including two new books to take home and keep. How many prescriptions can you/your organization write? Donations can be made online at: https://www. reachoutandread.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/donate/ or mailed to: Reach Out and Read, PO Box 290, Madison CT 06443. Contact Christine Garber, Connecticut Executive Director at christine.garber@reachoutandread.org for inquiries and additional information. volunteer opportunities We look to our volunteers to organize fundraising events and book drives; advisory board leadership; communications, marketing and administrative projects; school integration (read- a-thons, stuff-a-bus with new books). aBout us Year Established: 1989 Total Number of Employees in Connecticut: 2 Annual Revenue for Connecticut: $565,000 GeoGraphic service area(s) Bridgeport, Bristol, Clinton, Danbury, Derby, East Hampton, East Hartford, Enfield, Farmington, Greenwich, Groton, Hamden, Hartford, Mansfield, Meriden, Middlebury, Middletown, N. Windham, New Britain, New Haven, New London, Niantic, Norwalk, Plainfield, Portland, Prospect, Putnam, Southbury, Stamford, Torrington, Vernon, Waterbury top fundinG sources Foundations 83% In-Kind Donations 12% Community Organizations 3% Events 1% Individual Donations 1% Jay Berkelhamer, m.d., f.a.a.p. american academy of Pediatrics steve cohen author Vice-Chair thomas G. deWitt, m.d., f.a.a.p. Professor and associate Chair for Education and Primary Care, department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine carol emig Child Trends curtis l. Gray Human resources & administration, BaE Systems Jeremy hastings Provider Partnerships, Beacon Health Strategies Jo kirchner Primrose Schools lisa lebovitz Meadowbrook School robert lebuhn Private Investor Co-Chair linda fayne levinson lead director, NCr Corporation ann mercer logan reach Out and read Colorado Founder robert needlman, m.d., f.a.a.p. reach Out and read; Professor of Pediatrics, Case Western reserve University School of Medicine; Pediatrician, MetroHealth Medical Center Judy newman Scholastic Book Clubs and E-Commerce, Scholastic, Inc. timothy shanahan, ph.d. Center for literacy; Professor, University of Chicago catherine snow, ph.d. Patricia albjerg Graham Professor, Harvard Graduate School of Education Benita somerfield International Committee of the library of Congress literacy awards; vice-Chair, Governing Board of the UNESCO Institute for lifelong learning (UIl) Co-Chair National Board of Directors steven dow Executive director, Community action Project of Tulsa County National Medical Director perri klass, m.d. Professor of Journalism and Pediatrics, New York University; director of Graduate Studies, arthur l. Carter Journalism Institute reach Out and read Connecticut P.O. Box 290, Madison, CT 06443 | 203-980-6430 http://www.reachoutandread.org/connecticut OUr MISSION: Reach out and Read prepares children for academic success by partnering with pediatricians to develop early literacy skills in children from birth through age 5. using the healthcare system and focusing on disadvantaged children, we empower parents as their children's first teachers and prepare children to enter kindergarten on target. Board of directors doctors developing children's literacy skills in the exam room!