As the end of 2012 nears, we reflect on the accomplishments of A to Z Literacy Movement, made possible by your generosity. Due to your gifts and support, A to Z shipped more than 5,000 books to the children of My Father’s House Orphan Homes, Chishiko School, Mango Grove School, Chudleigh House School, and Shine Reading Academy. Picture books as well as chapter books were shipped to Peace Corps volunteers in Mansa, Zambia who gave them as gifts to children attending Girls Leading Our World Camp. A to Z also provided a salary for one teacher at Shine Reading Academy. We celebrate the growth of A to Z Literacy Movement, and are humbled by your generosity. Your continued support will further our mission to increase literacy development both globally and locally in the upcoming years.
A to Z Literacy Movement looks forward to continuing our efforts to inspire change from America to Zambia. Teachers, students, schools, and organizations of our community are the catalyst for that change. Here are just a few of our successful community efforts:
• The Dawn Breakers Rotary Club of Crystal Lake donated funds to ship 500 books to Mango Grove.
• The McHenry Sunrise Rotary Club donated funds to purchase tables, chairs, and book shelves for the classrooms and library at Shine Reading Academy.
• Louise White Elementary School in Batavia donated books and funds.
• Marion Central High School Key Club hosted a book drive, sorted, and donated funds to help with shipping.
• Local literacy outreach increased at various locations in Illinois including Pembroke Township, McHenry, and Crystal Lake.
• Good Shepherd Hospital hosted a book drive and gathered funds for the school lunch program at Shine.
• Crystal Lake Library, Schaumburg Township District Library, McHenry Public Library, Barrington Area Library, Nippersink Library, Cary Library, and Algonquin Area Public Library donated books after their library book sales.
• Will County, a local Illinois Reading council, donated books and funds as part of their international outreach.
• Sage Products, Inc., provided funding to ship valuable teaching materials and books for Shine Reading Academy’s library.
• Several monetary gifts were given by community individuals in honor of a retirement, a teacher’s retirement, as well as in honor of family members at Christmas. In memoriam gifts were also received.
A special thanks goes out to all the volunteers who gave their time to gather books for us. To the sorters who spent hours sifting through books, deciding which ones would be suitable to ship to a third world country: thank you. To the National Junior Honor Society students of Crystal Lake for once again helping A to Z with fundraising, gathering and sorting books, selling T-shirts, and hosting a walkathon in May: thank you.
Without you, we would not be able to meet our goals of promoting literacy to students in Zambia and providing professional development to teachers where the need is substantial. Thank you for understanding the mission of global literacy and the importance of reading. This year, you made a difference in children’s lives.
Sincerely,
A to Z Literacy Movement Board
Mal Keenan, President