Category Archives: Local Outreach

Gandhi

By Pat Kelly

As I listened to a student’s class presentation about Mahatma Gandhi, he quoted the significant man: “In a gentle way you can shake the world.” I wrote the quote down and instantly began to think about it’s application to A to Z Literacy Movement.

In our own little way we have shaken the world. Or at least one corner of it. A to Z receives  support through a variety of resources: literature, volunteers’ time, financial and even verbal, through those who share our mission in conversations.

With last month’s celebration of Thanksgiving comes reflection on all that has occurred for A to Z Literacy this year. We’ve had numerous new fundraisers and have been fortunate to rely on our annual philanthropists as well. We have had schools who named us the beneficiary of their book fair, buying scads of books for us with their revenue generated. We have had donors find us and bring us boxes of books bound for children’s hands. In Zambia we met new friends at The School of Hope and have given them a shake, sending boxes and boxes of books in a shipping container and locating a set of requested encyclopedias.

Gandhi was a man of wise words and ways. Countless individuals will herald his methods and follow his advice. At A to Z Literacy, we use Gandhi quotations to move and shake us in our work. Comment below and share some of your favorite quotes!

Giving Tuesday

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As we enter into the holiday season, please consider donating to A to Z Literacy Movement on this Giving Tuesday. While we are a small nonprofit, A to Z continues to make a difference and improve the lives of impoverished children through literacy development. We work really hard to get books into the hands of children and are committed to increase the love of reading locally and globally.  

Click “Donate” on the right to give now.

“It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” Mother Theresa

Storage Wars – Part 2

By Mal Keenan

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Last year, Pat wrote about her storage facility experience of receiving new books from a donor who previously sold children’s educational materials for a living. The donor had accumulated boxes of science and social studies trade books along with multiple boxes of small guided reading books. The storage space needed to be cleaned out and we were thrilled to receive the assortment of books. Total score for A to Z.

This past weekend, Wendy and I traveled to another storage facility (which is another story for a different day – Americans and their storage units) to collect eighteen boxes of books from another donor who levels books for a living. Levels books for a living? Right, so publishers send copies of books to Monica and then she determines the grade and guided reading level. Once leveled, the books sit patiently in a storage unit. After a few years of waiting and not needing to be referenced again, the books are free to go. As we loaded them up, I was all smiles. A to Z scored again. Our little nonprofit is making a difference and people like Monica who levels books for a living are willing to help us help others.

First Grade Service

by Anastasia Gruper

When two boxes of books were anonymously shipped to A to Z, we wondered who could have done such a kind deed.  However, when a note arrived the following week with a money order for $200.03 our questions were answered and hearts warmed.  Miss Martin’s first grade class at Alwood Elementary School choose A to Z Literacy Movement as the charity they wanted to contribute to for their year long service project. All year students collected change and books. Furthermore, they manned a lemonade stand for the two reading nights their school hosted. As we talked about the efforts of the first grade class, we were all reminded of how when everyone works together goals are accomplished.  Thank you to Miss Martin and her first grade class for contributing to our cause and helping to increase literacy in the impoverished areas of Africa.  With the help of first graders and students everywhere, we will continue to make the world better.

No Summer Slide Here!

By Mal Keenan

photo(1)A to Z recently donated five boxes of children’s books to District 47’s Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee. The books were offered to families attending the last meeting of the school year in hopes to promote summer reading and boost at-home literacy.

photoAs a literacy coach, I am well aware of the “summer slide” that occurs when children do not read consistently throughout June, July, and August. By donating books for kids to take home, the hope is to maintain the reading skills these students have worked so hard on during the past nine months. And by getting books into their hands, we are continuing to meet our mission locally.

Studying Our Nation’s History Together

By Anastasia Gruper

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Did you know Rhode Island is spelled incorrectly in The Constitution? Neither did I until Cody pointed it out at The National Archive.  Did you know there is a typo engraved in the wall at the Lincoln Memorial?  Future reads Euture.  “Kilroy was here,” is etched in the World War II Memorial. And the haunches of the statues in the Korean Memorial depicts the eerie wartime feeling the artist clearly wanted to convey. Wandering through Washington DC with colleagues and eighth grade students is a reminder that learning is collaborative and best done together.

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Day two with the group brought more in depth conversations as we spent long periods of time at the National Cathedral and the Holocaust Museum. Analysis of photographs prior to and during World War II had us delve into our Nation’s past.  Models, literature, and artifacts brought discussions about how the treatment of our people. At the cathedral, stories told of stained glass windows brought history to life. Roman architecture was the main topic of discussion as we stood in awe of the high arches, high ceilings, and gargoyles.

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As we prepare for day three, Flag Day, we head to Arlington National Cemetery for the changing of the guard and for our students to participate in the wreath changing ceremony. We’re looking forward to our continued education, not only about our nation’s history, but about the concerns our children have for the future of our nation based on our history.

Giving Back at Garden Quarter

By Koriann Lance

As we get close to summer, I always tell my kids to start building a summer reading list. I take them to the library to listen to one last book talk in hopes of them finding some good reads – okay, and I may be selfishly looking for some as well! But whatever the reason, it benefits all!

Reading-1080x320Some kids don’t get to the library too often though. Some kids don’t have a great interest in reading. Then what?

Though I don’t have an answer to solve it all, I do know that Garden Quarter Resource Center in McHenry created their own library for the local kids. This center gives kids access to a variety of books so that they can stay engaged throughout the summer.

02_117155230609576870329021975001000As part of A to Z’s local outreach, teachers will be visiting Garden Quarter every Tuesday from 3-3:30 to read with the kids. Teachers will help in picking out those perfect, just right books that will keep the kids reading and asking for more!

Whether I am reading to myself or reading to kids, I can’t think of a better way to give back!

Our Middle School Students Really Stepped Up!

By Jen Campisi

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Bringing literacy to those in need isn’t just a cause that adults rally behind!  This year, our National Junior Honors Society members here at Bernotas Middle School stepped up for this extremely worthy cause as well.  Our members chose A to Z Literacy because of its ongoing mission to supply not just books, but continuing education for Zambia’s teachers, as well as funding a much needed lunch program.  As an organization we realize that these things that are so readily available to us, are a much needed resource for the teachers and students we hope to reach in Zambia.  Our membership organized a walk-a-thon fundraiser, collected pledges and walked for this valuable cause.  Through our efforts, we were proud to be able to donate over $3,000 to A to Z Literacy.  Our membership looks forward to the opportunity to do this again next school year!

National Junior Honor Society’s Walkathon for A to Z Was Awesome!

By Emma Gruper, 8th Grade Student at Bernotas Middle School

On Wednesday, May 28th, 2014, I had the privilege to be a part of the A to Z walk-a-thon at Lundahl Middle School.

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Emma (green headband) walks toward her volunteer post.

At this event, National Junior Honor Society members raised money for this event, and walked to support the project for nearly two hours!

2014-05-28 04.20.50While other students walked, I was chosen to help with money, spread sheets, and t-shirt hand out.Trying to keep up with these teachers, was close to impossible! These ladies were like bees in a hive; buzzing from here to there, making the Walk-a-Thon the best it could be.

2014-05-28 04.34.43Thanks to all who participated and who made this fundraiser the best it could be.

 

Dodgeball Was a Hit!

By Mal Keenan

2014-05-23 02.58.38For some, nothing says fun like diving to the floor while a bunch of foam balls are being hurled at you.It’s a sport of speed and agility. It takes a strong arm and fast legs. It’s perfect for middle school kids!

2014-05-23 03.35.38Last Friday, Belinda Strebel, a 7th grade teacher at Bernotas Middle School, coordinated the first annual Viking Dodgeball Tournament. Students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade – boys and girls alike – got their teams together – and came out for a fantastic time in the gym while supporting a worthy cause, A to Z Literacy Movement.

2014-05-23 03.12.42Because of the number of teams participating and plenty of guests coming to watch, we were able to raise enough money for another shipment of books, six boxes, to be mailed to Zambia in the coming weeks.

A to Z is so grateful to Belinda for putting this together and to the Bernotas administration for the opportunity to host this event.