Here’s a look at what A to Z was able to accomplish in 2016. We are proud of the literacy development work our nonprofit continues to provide both locally and globally. We could not do this important work without YOU. Thank you for continuing to believe in our mission to promote the love of reading and improve the literacy lives of impoverished and at-risk children.

January – We wired $1,000 to Zambia for 2 high school scholarships including fees for books, uniforms, and testing.  Additionally, Woods Creek Elementary School in Crystal Lake raised $785 in their A to Z Coins for Cause.

February – Our Trivia Night fundraiser raised $3,500. We also received brand new Scholastic books from Windsor Elementary in Arlington Heights and we wired $400 to cover the cost of two Zambian middle school girls’ tuition.

March – Bernotas Middle School hosted their third annual A to Z Dodgeball Tournament to raise much needed funds for shipping. 

April – Hannah Beardsley Middle School hosted their first annual A to Z Dodgeball Tournament to successfully raise funds for our nonprofit.

May – Crystal Lake Central High School AVID students’ service learning project was completed for a second year in a row. In this project, eleventh graders created educational and engaging “Books in Bags” for School of Hope children in Zambia. 

June – A to Z team members were on the ground in Zambia. They served at two schools, worked with students in grades one through twelve, and provided professional development for 150 Zambian teachers.

July– A to Z partnered with District 47 and gave away 500 books to students attending summer school at Glacier Ridge Elementary.

August – Again partnering with District 47, A to Z handed out 500 books to students attending Title 1 summer school at Coventry Elementary. Another 400 books were shipped to a Peace Corps volunteer in South Africa working to establish a community school.

September – A to Z shipped over 500 children’s books to a small rural school in the Philippines.

October – Over 600 books were given away at The Clinic, a local McHenry County outreach event for families in need.

November – A to Z hosted the Hunger Bowl at Metro Bowl to raise funds for Shine Zambia Reading Academy’s lunch program.

December – Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington hosted an A to Z book drive with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.