The Tennessee Valley Reading Foundation
News and Events
Donate Your Used Children's Books!
The ORNL Federal Credit Union in Kingston has teamed up with the Children’s Reading Foundation of the Tennessee Valley to collect and “recycle” used children’s books. Put needed books into the hands of Roane County children and their parents by dropping off your used children’s books at the ORNL FCU at 1204 North Kentucky Street in Kingston.
Pictured with some of the books donated by the credit union’s customers are, in the front row, Debbie Hankins, Tiffany Tilley, Eleda Burgess, and Judy Long of ORNL FCU; and in the back row, Jim Leitnaker and Ralph Best of the Children’s Reading Foundation.
Reading Foundation a Big Hit at October Sky Festival
The Children’s Reading Foundation of the Tennessee Valley was a big hit at the October Sky Festival in Oliver Springs on October 22, 2011.
“Parents were bringing their children of all ages to talk about how much they enjoyed reading to their children” said Allen Lutz, a member of the Reading Foundation at the festival in Oliver Springs. “We had grandparents telling stories about reading to their children, as their children, now parents, talked about reading to their children.”
With so many parents visiting the Reading Foundation tent, it was a good thing three students from the Tennessee Technology Center at Harriman volunteered to work in the tent. The students, Brandi Beckner, Amber Lowe and Rachel Jones, are parents with their own young children.
In a letter to the student volunteers, James Leitnaker, President of the Children’s Reading Foundation of the Tennessee Valley, wrote, “You clearly showed your support for the Reading Foundation’s message of ‘read to a child for twenty minutes every day’ in your actions and enthusiastic attitude. Because of your efforts, the parents of 159 children know that, when it comes to preparing a child to begin learning to read, parents make the difference!”
One of those 159 children became the third winner of a $50 U.S. Savings Bond in a free drawing sponsored by the Reading Foundation. Ethan Craig, three year old son of Amanda Craig from Oliver Springs, was the savings bond winner.
In addition to telling parents about the importance of reading to children, the student volunteers collected twenty-four new enrollments for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The children enrolled are from Anderson, Monroe, Morgan and Roane Counties.
The Roane Imagination Library also contributed twenty-five books that were given to children as a separate drawing. "The Children's Reading Foundation and Roane Imagination Library are working toward the same objective," said Jill McMaster, Roane Imagination Library coordinator, "instilling in children a love of reading and books."
Reading Foundation Gives $50 Savings Bond to Child
The winner of the Children's Reading Foundation of the Tennessee Valley free drawing for a $50 U.S. Savings Bond is thirteen month young Edward A. G. Thompson and his mother Amanda of Kingston, TN. "This may be the start of Edward's college fund," said Allen Lutz, board member for the Reading Foundation. Sixty-two children were entered into the drawing for the savings bond drawing.
The Children's Reading Foundation participated in the Kingston Country Fair on October 1. Reading Foundation volunteers Bonnie Anderson, Ralph Best, Sidney Horsfall and Allen Lutz talked with more than a hundred parents about the importance of reading to their child 20 minutes a day.
In addition to the Savings Bond drawing, more than 25 children received books donated by Roane Imagination Library, the local affiliate of Dolly Parton's early literacy program. "The Children's Reading Foundation and Roane Imagination Library are working toward the same objective," said Jill McMaster, Roane Imagination Library coordinator, "instilling in children a love of reading and books."
"This is the first of many events in which the Reading Foundation will participate," said Jim Leitnaker, President of the Children's Reading Foundation of the Tennessee Valley. "On October 13, we will participate in the Kingston Elementary School's Fall Festival. There will be another savings bond drawing and we will have lots of information about the importance of reading to one’s children before they enter school and while in elementary school."
"Because parents want the best for their children," said Allen Lutz, "we encourage them to begin a parenting practice which will benefit their child the rest of his or her life—reading aloud together 20 minutes a day from birth through elementary school. Children whose parents read with them learn to read early and well. It's as simple as that!"
Children's Reading Foundation at the Kingston Country Fair on October 1
The Children's Reading Foundation of the Tennessee Valley will participate in the Kingston Country Fair on October 1. The Reading Foundation will hold a free drawings in which children will win children's books and the top winner will receive a $50.00 U.S. Savings Bond.
"Because you want the best for your child," said Allen Lutz to a group of parents, "we invite you to begin a parenting practice which will benefit your child the rest of his or her life—reading aloud together 20 minutes a day from birth through elementary school. Children whose parents read with them learn to read early and well. It's as simple as that!"
At the Kingston Fair, children five years and younger will be able to enter into the free drawing. "Of course, the parents will have to enter their child into the contest," said Lutz. We will have handouts about the importance of reading to their child 20 minutes a day."
Parents will also have the opportunity to enroll their children into Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. The Imagination Library will send children, under age 5, a book every month. The books are free. All the parent has to do is read to their children.
Kickoff Luncheon for The Children's Foundation set for July 21
The Kickoff Luncheon for The Children's Foundation of the Tennessee Valley is scheduled for Thursday, July 21, 2011. It will start at 11:30 am in the Student Lounge at Roane State Community College in Harriman.
Local community leaders in government, business, and education will be participating. The Keynote Speaker is Tennessee’s First Lady Crissy Haslam.
The luncheon is a fund raising event for the Reading Foundation and will be held at Roane State Community College in the Student Lounge. The college is at 276 Patton Lane, Harriman, TN.
Tickets for the luncheon are $25.00 per person. Reservations for the luncheon should be made by July 14 and can be made by emailing tn-valley@readingfoundation.org.
There are also opportunities to be a sponsor of the Reading Foundation and for the Kickoff event. For more information about sponsorships, contact to tn-valley@readingfoundation.org.
The goal of the Children’s Reading Foundation of the Tennessee Valley is to encourage parents to take the time to read to their children a minimum of 20 minutes per day. The Foundation will accomplish this by providing and promoting education and encouragement to and of parents (and caregivers) on their important role in raising children who can read well.
