South Sound Reading Foundation
In an effort to increase the number of children entering school prepared to learn, read and succeed, the South Sound Reading Foundation exists to ensure that every child is read with 20 minutes a day starting at birth. Reading just 20 minutes a day with young children is the key to healthy brain development, family bonding, and success in school.
News and Events
Books by the Bay 2010: Celebrate Literacy the South Sound Way!
This September 21st, the South Sound Reading Foundation is hosting our seventh annual Books by the Bay, Celebrating Literacy Event. The event is from 5:00-7:30 at the beautiful Olympia Country and Golf Club.
“Magical… it is going to be a magical evening” says Timberland Regional Library’s Youth Services Coordinator, Ellen Duffy. “If you believe in the importance of literacy and you want to experience a truly wonderful event, you won’t want to miss this.”
This annual celebration features well known northwest authors, live music, food, fun and festivities and usually attracts between 100-200 guests. In addition at this year’s event the South Sound Reading Foundation will celebrate its 10th anniversary. Can you believe it? We have been promoting literacy and creating potential for thousands of South Sound kids each year for ten years!
Books by the Bay raises funds for the Reading Foundation and our literacy outreach programming. Each year more schools, organizations and families look to the Foundation to provide free literacy programming, literacy materials and books. In 2009 we put 34,000 books into the hands of deserving children, youth and families and with each book we share the important reading message. We invite you to help us reach even more by attending Books by the Bay 2010.
For more information please call 360-412-4499, or email: read2me@nthurston.k12.wa.us
Imagination Celebration 2010 was a huge success!
Imagination Celebration on June 19th, 2010 featured popular children and young-adult authors, a number of wonderful performances, a very meaningful award ceremony with Secretary of State Sam Reed and over twenty family friendly activities.
As it was our first year, we were hoping to attract 500 people. Over 3000 attended! We now know we are truly addressing a need for fun, family-friendly events in the South Sound with this free literacy celebration. Each year we hope to grow this event to attract more authors, more performances, more activities and more attendees. We are already planning for next year so mark your calendars for June 18th, 1-5. The event will be held on 9th Avenue just behind the downtown Olympia Timberland Regional Library. For more information contact Jennifer W. Forster at (360) 412-4499. We hope you will join us next year and until then, happy reading!
- Jennifer W. Forster and the 2010 Imagination Celebration Committee.
Thank you!
"The food bags you send weekly are amazing but this week is the best so far. The book you sent in mine, I really enjoyed and I will read it until I have memorized it. Thanks so much."
This message was written by a fourth grader who receives food weekly from the Thurston County Food Bank. Before school breaks (Thanksgiving, Holiday, Mid-Winter, Spring and Summer) the Reading Foundation works in conjunction with the food bank and local schools to get books to all of these kids. On June 15, 2010 we delivered over 1050 books to area homeless and hungry kids. This letter is from one of them.
Barnes & Noble Storytime
Join us at Barnes & Noble in W. Olympia on the 1st Wednesday (7-8pm) and 2nd Saturday (1-2pm) of every month for a fun filled hour of entertainment, adventure, and community. Stories and volunteer readers are provided by the South Sound Reading Foundation! If you have any questions or would like to offer your time and storytelling talents, please call 360-412-4499.
