RIF of NOVA's Golden Gala!
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Oh! What a night!
NOVA RIF's 50th anniversary Golden Gala was a huge success, bringing together inspirational speakers, authors, and over 225 Gala-goers in a celebration of books and literacy in our community! Thanks to everyone who donated, decorated, attended, contributed, and helped in any and all ways to make this celebration ONE FOR THE BOOKS!
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Keynote Speaker David Baldacci -- Oh! What a Gift!!! |
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Keynote Speaker David Baldacci talked about the critical need for books for children to help address the alarming drop in literacy rates nationwide and the resulting impact of students dropping out of school and being unprepared for the workforce. He underscored the effects on our economy and democracy itself when people cannot read.
This prolific author of suspense novels and legal thrillers is passionate about combating illiteracy in America. To underscore his commitment, he and his wife Michelle donated $50,000 -- $1,000 per year for each year NOVA RIF has been serving the community. That will translate into almost 17,000 books for NOVA RIF children. Needless to say, we are beyond grateful. A full gallery of photos from the Gala can be found on several pages on our website and on a Gala Photo Galleria page. Click here for that! (Photos: Courtney Earll Photography and others)
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Jummy Olabanji, host of NBC-4's program News4 Today, was an ebullient and delightful Gala emcee. She introduced Dr. Ingrid Bynum and presented her with NOVA RIF's first-ever "Literacy Luminary" award. Dr. Bynum spoke about receiving her very first RIF book while in the fourth grade, growing up in a tough area of Richmond. That book changed her life and turned her into a voracious reader ... which led to a career in teaching and several academic degrees, including a Doctorate of Education in advanced educational leadership. Dr. Bynum is now principal of Patrick Henry K-8 School, one of four Alexandria schools served by NOVA RIF. There, she exhorts her students to read! Read! Read! We are so honored that both of these inspirational women were part of our Gala event!
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Oh! What a Celebration! (more pics here!)
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Golden Gala chair and board member Bradley Vineyard welcomed Gala goers, thanking attendees and all the sponsors who helped make the night a reality. |
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NOVA RIF president Justina Johnson talked about the organization's 50 years in the community and the thousands and thousands of books given to area children to date. |
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Guest Authors E. Ethelbert Miller (l) and Fred Bowen (r) discussed their favorite subject...sports! They were two of 20 Guest Authors who made the night complete!
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Guest Author Lizzy Mason (in green), flanked by sponsors Sheila (board member) and John Jonas, and Emeritus Council member Mia Mason (r)
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Longtime RIF of NOVA supporters Carol Sisco (l) and sponsors Lynda Johnson Robb (m) and Margy McNamara Pastor (r) |
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Guest Author Kathy Ellen Davis (l) showed her children's book Ta-Dah! to board members Chris Bury (m) and Hazeline Harris (r)
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(l-r) Dr. Ingrid Bynum, literacy specialist Dr. Andrea Manninen, board member Lisa Keathley, and Guest Author Lulu Delacre
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Oh! We Made the News!
Thanks to Jummy Olabanji, RIF of NOVA's Golden Gala was celebrated on New4 Today's morning program with a soundbite from NOVA RIF's president Justina Johnson! Take a look!
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Oh! Such Generosity! More Gala Sponsors!
After the October RIF RAP's publication, many other top sponsors signed on to help us provide the gift of literacy to children in Northern Virginia! They are listed below. For a complete list of sponsors, please check out our website link here! We are grateful beyond measure for the support from these sponsors and the entire NOVA RIF community!
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As RIF of NOVA celebrates 50 years in 2022, we are hearing from our community of supporters!
"Driving positive change and making meaningful contributions across communities is a core part of what we do at AWS InCommunities. We’re excited to support the work of Reading is Fundamental of Northern Virginia in its mission of helping children cultivate learning, literacy, and the love of reading."
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"It is my honor, on behalf of the Alfred Street Baptist Church, to extend congratulations to Reading is Fundamental of Northern Virginia, Inc. for 50 years of championing literacy, cultivating a love for reading and learning, and putting books in the hands of those who need them most. Because of your commitment, the children and youth of Alexandria City, Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William Counties are better prepared and equipped to be frequent readers, confident learners, and future leaders. Your commitment to excellence is to be commended and we are excited to continue to partner with you to combat illiteracy in Northern Virginia by allocating the necessary resources."
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What WAS happening in the children's book world in 1972 when RIF of NOVA began? On a special page on our website, we are counting backward from January through December to reach the top-selling book of 1972.
Number 2 on the list is Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, written by American author Judy Blume, published in 1972 by Dutton, and illustrated by Roy Doty. It is the first in the Fudge series and was followed by Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, Superfudge, Fudge-a-Mania, and Double Fudge. Still popular after 50 years, Tales is being made into a 3D animated movie, scheduled for release in March 2024.
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Sharing Book Love
NOVA RIF Partners with Other Community Organizations!
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Vecinos Unidos (Neighbors United) is a non-profit volunteer organization based in Herndon, Virginia that provides free homework assistance and enrichment to students in need.
When VU reached out to NOVA RIF for help, we said yes right away. Thanks to a grant and a donation of new and gently used books from RIF of NOVA, the VU library has a shelf of new reading materials, and children in the program were able to choose two books of their own to take home.
Read more about it in a VU blog shared on the NOVA RIF website by clicking here.
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When Langley high schooler Alex Pomper realized that 61% of low-income children don't have any books at home, he went into action with a book drive, a website (Giveakidabook.org), and book donations to area charities. Now, as a NOVA RIF Young Ambassador, he has connected NOVA RIF with the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC). In the photo above, Alex is shown (r) at an early November Book Bash with his mom Anne Kim (m), and NOVA RIF board member Sari Warren (l). Great work, Alex!
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All donations help!
$3 = one book for a deserving child in our community!
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*Send a check to our mailbox:
RIF of NOVA
P. O. Box 7012
Arlington, VA 22207-0012
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Other options to help:
*Register with smile.amazon.com. Type in Reading is Fundamental of Northern Virginia, Inc. to select us as the charity you want to support. Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to RIF of NOVA. The 0.5% can really add up!
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*If your workplace holds a United Way campaign, designate RIF of NOVA as your chosen philanthropy. Our United Way # is 8959. |
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Thank you for any donation -- no matter how big or small! And thank you for being part of the RIF of NOVA community!
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Please share the RAP! Forward our newsletter to your friends and anyone interested in providing books to children who need them!
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