Friday, May 13, 2016

Reader to Reader Donates 15,000 New Children's Books to Area Schools


Peter Goonan | pgoonan@repub.com 
Masslive.com

Reader to Reader, a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding literacy and learning, recently launched its annual Spring Book Extravaganza for the planned donation of 15,000 books to schools in the Springfield area.

The organization, based in Amherst, gives away tens of thousands of books annually to schools and outreach program in the region including an annual book giveway to those schools.

The Spring extravaganza is in its sixth year, and began on April 28, with hundreds of boxes of books lining the hallways of Belcher Elementary School in Chicopee, the host site, awaiting pickup by area teachers, according to the organization

As of May 9, a total of 21 schools had come and picked out books for their students and there were still thousands of books available, said David Mazor, the founder of Reader to Reader.

The books are brand new and are available to schools in Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee and West Springfield, according to Reader to Reader. The books span a wide range of ages and interests and include grade levels pre-K to 12, officials said.

"These books are part of our ongoing support for the Reading Success by 4th Grade Initiative," Mazor said. "Increased access to books is a key factor in raising literacy rates."

"Year after year, Reader to Reader has been an amazing resource for our district," said Samuel Karlin, principal at Belcher School. "We look forward to this great spring book event every year."

Schools interested in picking out books should contact David Mazor at .this website address.

Reader to Reader's Spring Book Extravaganza is sponsored by Chicopee Savings Bank.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Reader to Reader Helps with Literacy Support in Bolivia


KUSIKUY is proud to be partnering with Reader to Reader to bring a free donation of brand new books to the children of Arani, Bolivia.  

Arani knitters will use the books to help improve literacy in their town.

A small colonial town an hour's drive from the city of Cochabamba, Arani has little internet access and is plagued by drought, poverty and migration.

Almost 30% of the town's original 3,500 inhabitants have moved elsewhere in search of jobs and a better livelihood.

However Arani is also the home of one of KUSIKUY's finest knitting groups, La Imillia.

The La Imillia knitters will be the ones directing the book donations and distribution.

In December KUSIKUY will bring more books computers and technical games, to share with local students.

In addition to books for children, Reader to Reader is donating a Spanish-language collection of business marketing books that have been requested in order to help support the educational needs of local entrepreneurs.