• $138,995 raised by 2,100 readers
• 1,500,000 pages logged
• Gullett Elementary Earns Top Fundraising School Trophy followed by Bridge Point and Casis Elementary

With much determination, the Gullett Geckos reclaimed the trophy, and had their best Read-A-Thon to date. Keeping with this year’s theme “Book A Trip,” and making good on a challenge, Gullett Read-A-Thon coordinator and librarian, Kay Gooch has booked herself a trip – to the school rooftop. Ms. Gooch will be on the rooftop of Gullett Elementary on April 13th at 6:45 a.m. to welcome students to school, followed by an awards ceremony.

When asked about the Read-A-Thon, Kay said the families and the students of Gullett make her job easy. “The children are so “on fire” with the Read-A-Thon! I think with our encouragement and what they have learned at home, helping others is a natural way of being! They are thrilled to know that they are helping other students’ right here in Austin.”

Thank you and congratulations to all the students, parents and faculty from the 28 area schools who came along for the ride and arrived at their destination safely. This trip would not have been as much fun without you! Your support has helped provide books to thousands of children in the Greater Austin area who otherwise would not have books!

UPDATE: Thank you for your interest in our ROR Program Manager position. This position closed on March 31, 2012.

We proudly added 4 new thrilling themes to our selection this year. “Dig It” lets students learn about the history, legends and benefits of planting wildflowers. “Monster Readers” brings friendly monsters for younger children and mythological creatures for older children into school. “Book A Trip” takes students on an adventure in an airplane! “Nursery Rhymes & Songs” provides infants and toddlers with the chance to experience complex language through rhymes and singing.

These amazing themes are almost complete…We need your help to find a few more props and costumes to ensure the coolest RIF day ever! Below is a wish list of items and the quantities needed to improve our motivational activities. If you have an item on the list to donate, please let us know! Maybe you know someone with a costume shop or supply of rubber stamps, let them know about us! Do you have an idea of something we could add to a kit? Now’s the time to help ensure a successful year for RIF!

Click here to view the RIF Wish List.

Dear RIF Supporters:

We’re reaching out to you for some assistance with a very important congressional campaign that RIF has underway. We are currently working to ask Senators to sign on to the enclosed letter in support of RIF and our partners on this effort, Reach Out and Read! The letter asks for legislative language to establish a competitive grant program that RIF and other national non-profits providing literacy services can compete for funding under and this is especially important in the wake of the loss of RIF’s federal contract.

We feel that getting this letter signed is a very important step towards the possibility of maintaining your federal funding towards books.

We are asking that you take a moment on Monday, June 6th to call your Senators or send an email. The deadline for Senators to sign on to the letter is Wednesday, June 8th, so we have a short timeline for this outreach. We have enclosed for your use a document that provides a calling script or template email – whichever you prefer! It is critically important that both of your Senators hear from you on this effort so they are aware that this legislative initiative is a top priority for RIF and our volunteers nationwide. This also demonstrates to the Senate offices how critically important this initiative is to allowing RIF programs to continue their services.

Phone numbers for senate offices can be easily located here: http://www.senate.gov/ (top right hand corner – “Find your Senators”).

Thank you in advance for taking the time to help on this campaign. If you should have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact your state representative directly or at 877-RIF-READ.

BookSpring is pleased announce a new way you can shop while donating a portion of your purchase to BookSpring. Give As You Get gives you an easy way to buy the items you want with a percentage supporting BookSpring’s early literacy efforts. You’ll continue to use your established shopping carts on some of the web’s most popular stores. Now you can get what you want AND give to BookSpring at the same time. The only difference you’ll notice is a warm feeling in your heart while putting books and programs at the hands of Austin children and their families. Visit Give As You Get to learn more.

Little Green Beans: MyFoxAUSTIN.com