Dear A to Z Friend,
Over the past 12 years, A to Z has hosted our annual FUNdraiser during the month of February. This event has generated the funds needed to meet our yearly literacy goals and continue our work in promoting the love of reading. You have played a major role in this event and have come out on cold winter nights to support us – year in and year out. You have been generous and you have helped us to continue to make a difference. Thank you! Unfortunately, we will not be able to host our fundraiser for the second year in a row due to COVID.
Moving into 2022, we want to keep the momentum of our nonprofit moving forward. You may remember Jonathan Mwale, our informal case study student. We have known Jonathan since 2010 and have been part of his academic and personal life, helping with tuition in secondary school, supporting him and his family after his father was killed, and connecting him with a few wonderful Zambian mentors. In his pursuit to become a medical officer/physician’s assistant, he is currently attending the University of Lusaka studying to receive his Bachelor of Medicine degree in 2026. We are committed to Jonathan’s academic success because his degree will not only impact his family, but his community, and the greater good of Zambia.
We are also striving to meet the needs of families here in McHenry county. We have partnered with the Crystal Lake Food Pantry and the Northern IL Food Bank to not only nourish children’s bodies but to nourish their minds with children’s books. Our global outreach continues with children’s books making their way to schools in Africa. In 2021, we were able to send 1,800 books (24 boxes) of beautiful books for boys and girls to Malawi. Each month, we receive requests from nonprofits, churches, and schools in Africa asking for books for children. While we wish we could fulfill all of the requests, we do our best to serve a few worthy groups.
So with things looking and feeling a little bit different this year, we are asking for your help via email. With a few quick clicks, you can head to our website (https://www.atozliteracy.org/donate-money) to make a small donation and keep us moving forward in 2022. Please know 100% of your donation goes to supporting our mission in promoting literacy development and academic support of underserved children. With your help, we can transform the lives of children locally and globally by promoting literacy, academic achievement, and the love of reading.
Thank you for joining us and for making an impact on the lives of children.
With Appreciation,
Mal Keenan, Dave Keenan, Betty Trummel, Stasia Gruper, Pat Kelly, Wendy Lasswell, Alia Bluemlein, Kate Hatfield, Taylor Crandall, and Tiffanie Jeffrey
A to Z Literacy Movement Blog 