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 to young children is key to healthy brain development, family bonding, and success in school. Daily family reading also helps children develop a larger vocabulary, a longer attention span, and better listening skills.
News and Events
Cute Kid Contest
POSTED: June 2nd 2009
Cute Kid Contest The South Sound Reading Foundation is looking for pictures of cute kids for use in a promotional poster for the 2009 Books By the Bay Fundraiser. The cute kid contest is open to any child ages 11 and under living in Thurston County or Mason County. The winner will receive a collection of autographed children’s books and a free photo shoot with a local photographer. Here's how to enter:Send your cute kid pictures (limit 2) no later than July 1st to: South Sound Reading Foundation, 305 College St. NE, Lacey, WA 98516Be sure to include your name, your child’s name and your phone numberWinner will be notified no later than July 8th. Save the Date! The 2009 Books By the Bay Fundraiser to benefit the South Sound Reading Foundation is September 15th from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Olympia Country and Golf Club. Well Fed, Well Read 2009 Huge Success!
POSTED: May 4th 2009
The 2009 Well Fed, Well Read Public Employee challenge was a huge success! Public employees from 29 agencies collected over 30,000 pounds of food and nearly 12,000 new and used children’s books, substantially surpassing last year’s numbers of 25 agencies, 13,000 lbs. of food and 10,000 books. Proceeds will benefit the Thurston County Food Bank and the South Sound Reading Foundation. “The Public Employees do a great job every year collecting food and books for our community, but this year they were exceptional. They really got excited, creative, and did a fantastic job,” says Jennifer Forster, Executive Director of the South Sound Reading Foundation. “They really stepped up this year, especially when you consider the economy. This is tangible proof that generosity and community spirit are alive and well in Thurston County,” says Robert Coit, Executive Director of the Thurston County Food Bank. Participating agencies include the Attorney General’s Office, Department of Ecology, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Social & Health Services, Health Department, Department of Revenue, Department of Transportation, Department of Licensing, Liquor Control Board, Department of Early Learning, Department of Financial Institutions, Department of Information Systems, Department of Personnel, Department of Printing, Department of Retirement Services, Department of Veteran Affairs, General Administration, Office of Financial Management, Office of Insurance Commissioner, State Auditor’s Office, Thurston County Auditor’s Office, Washington Lottery, Environmental Hearing Office, ESD 113, Economic Review and Forecast Council, The Governor’s Office, Office of Women’s and Business Employment, Olympia Police Department/Cops & Kids Foundation, and the Washington State Investment Board. Support for Well Fed, Well Read 2009 was provided by The Olympian, KGY Radio, South Bay Press, FTE Magazine, Olympia Federal Savings, and many volunteers from the Thurston County Food Bank and the South Sound Reading Foundation. And the winners are… Most Food Overall Winner: DSHS with 9793 lbs of foodLarge Agency Winner: Attorney General's Office with 2,140 lbs. of foodMedium Agency Winner: State Auditor’s Office with 2326 lbs. of foodSmall Agency Winner: Washington State Investment Board with 1134 lbs. of food Most BooksOverall Winner: DSHS with 2743 booksLarge Agency Winner: Attorney General's Office with 1515 booksMedium Agency Winner: Thurston County Auditor’s Office with 1282 books Small Agency: Washington State Investment Board with 269 books And the Ending Hunger and Promoting Literacy Award 2009 goes to Washington Lottery, for their outstanding contributions, ideas and efforts. All eighty seven employees participated, along with families and friends to collect over 2246 lbs of food and 833 books. South Sound Reading Foundation at Cabela's
POSTED: October 1st 2008
Saturdays: February 7th, March 7th and April 4th.
Volunteer readers from the South Sound Reading Foundation will spend 20 minutes reading outdoor stories about camping, hiking, boating or other exciting wilderness experiences. Oriented to the child 4 to 9 years of age, the selected readings will expose participating children to wonderful outdoor and wilderness stories. FREE yummy treats will be provided by the Deli Restaurant to attending children.
10:30 a.m.
Location: 2nd Floor Diorama.
GRAND SLAM Book Drive October 2008
POSTED: September 24th 2008
Students, families, teachers, and school staff, this October donate your gently used children’s books to the South Sound Reading Foundation’s GRAND SLAM Children’s Book Drive. The school that collects the most books will receive a baseball-themed reading assembly with the Mariner Moose.
The Foundation gives away free books to local children, many of them low-income. To help support this effort, we invite your school to collect new and gently-used children’s books. No textbooks or encyclopedias please.
Day of Caring was huge success thanks to United Way and Heritage Bank
POSTED: September 24th 2008
Day of Caring 2008 was a huge success for South Sound Reading. Twelve volunteers from Heritage Bank cleaned the Foundation's book barn and they stickered books. These volunteers sorted and stickered over 2000 books. This means 2000 plus kids will get a wonderful book thanks to the volunteers at Heritage bank and to United Way of Thurston County!