May Newsletter
Our Impact
A Note from Jennifer
Gratitude, May always fills me with gratitude. I am grateful for our community for supporting our important work through our Readers are Leaders event in April (check out the recording and Nancy Pearl's recommendations here) and our GiveBIG campaign in May. I’m also grateful for discovering the power of literacy - it transformed my life. I remember learning to read then taking my books outside, climbing my favorite tree, and reading. As I grew up, it was a sunny patch of grass then an outside table at my favorite coffee shop.
Reading is transformative, and I am grateful for our mission to bring the joy and promise of books and reading to all South Sound children.
Happy May and happy reading!
Jennifer W. Forster, Executive Director
Activities Ahead: Where to find us in May
Thurston County Food Bank
- Lacey Food Bank - 7027 Martin Way E. Lacey, WA 98516
- First Tuesday (May 4) & Thursday (May 6), 10am-1pm
North Thurston Public Schools Meal Sites
- Pleasant Glade Elementary - 1920 Abernethy Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98516
- Every Friday, 11:30am-12:30pm
- Seven Oaks Elementary - 1800 Seven Oaks Rd SE, Lacey, WA 98503
- Friday May 14, 11:00am-1:00pm,
Check out our website and follow us on Facebook to see our full calendar of activities.
Remember to GiveBIG WA May 4-5!
Give BIG for reading at www.givebigwa.org/southsoundreading
During the GiveBIG statewide fundraising campaign happening May 4-5, individuals and organizations come together across Washington to invest in our community. When we give, we take a proactive step towards creating the society we want to live in.
Help South Sound Reading Foundation and dozens of other nonprofits by making a gift and inspiring others!
Supporter Spotlight
Many thanks to these generous individuals, community businesses and organizations whose recent investment in literacy is helping families enjoy reading together every day so all children can reach their full potential:
- Readers Are Leaders supporters for raising over $36,000!
- 1st Security Bank - Books for Kids sponsor
- Bean, Gentry, Wheeler & Peternell, PLLC - Literacy Bookshelves sponsor
- Grays Harbor Community Foundation - Grays Harbor literacy outreach
- Lacey Rotary Community Needs Grant for books & PPE
- WA Combined Fund Drive Charity Clip
Interested in becoming a sponsor? 2021 sponsorship opportunities for our programs, 20th Anniversary Celebration and Books by the Bay are available now! Contact Amanda for details.
Spring into Reading Book Drive
Get a jump start on spring cleaning by donating your gently-used children's books! And, become a Spring into Reading champion by hosting your own book drive on behalf of the South Sound Reading Foundation!
Please reach out to Sarah Gage sgage@nthurston.k12.wa.us to host a Spring into Reading book drop-off. We will then coordinate the pick-up of any books you collect and highlight your incredible work on our social media pages.
May Giveaway:
The monthly giveaway for May has inspirational picture books with animal protagonists. To enter, visit our Facebook page, comment with your favorite animal-themed emoji and share the giveaway post! We'll randomly choose a winner on May 30. The winner must live in Thurston or Mason county, and we will arrange delivery or pick-up date for the winner.
May Surveys - chance to win a gift card!
We'd love to hear from you about our services and the impact we've had on you, your family, and your community. Please take some time to fill out a few surveys, each with 6-8 short questions, so that we can better serve you. Each survey will enter you into a drawing to win a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card!!
Survey links are available here: Parent Survey | PreK-2 Survey | 3-12 Survey
Volunteer Connections
We are so lucky to have such incredible partners that work to support our mission of bringing the joy and promise of reading to all South Sound children. Volunteers served 595.75 hours in April, translating to $15,150 saved!
- Olympia High School Rotary donated 800 books for the children and families of our community! Thank you Olympia High School, Olympia Rotary Club, and Rotary International for supporting our cause and the children of our community. These books are going to be loved and cherished by hundreds of kids!
- NTPS VOICE students stickered well over 100 books in their wonderful and productive visit
Interested in volunteering? Connect with us here: https://www.southsoundreading.org/how-you-can-help/
Share Your Story!
Have you or your children been impacted by the South Sound Reading Foundation's services? Maybe your little one is reading more thanks to our Bag O' Books program, or maybe you're reading more with your kiddo as part of our "Read 20 Minutes A Day!" message. However we've impacted you and your family, we'd love to hear it!
Everyone who submits a story will be entered into a drawing to win a $100 Barnes & Noble gift card and mystery book bags! Participants can submit a recorded retelling of their story, or submit a short paragraph and picture. Stories, videos, and pictures can be emailed to read2me@nthurston.k12.wa.us, or they can be uploaded to this Jotform.
This month our Vista member has created an amazing storytime. Nicole Nichols creates and coordinates the material for our Story Time Fridays. One of her videos featured, "Dog's Colorful Day", by Emma Dodd. There will be a different story and activities every Friday!
View Story Time Fridays on our YouTube channel.
Ways to help us celebrate all year!
Visit our website and follow us on Facebook to learn more about our programs or request services!
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