New RIF of NOVA board member Bradley Vineyard and her daughter Amelia invited long-time board member and liaison coordinator Justina Johnson to speak to the Junior Volunteer League (JVL) about literacy and RIF of NOVA's efforts to provide books to deserving children in our region. The grade 7-12 young women from the Vienna/Oakton area were quite amazed to learn that 25 million children in the U.S. cannot read proficiently...and that almost a third of 4th graders read below grade level -- contributing to about 7,000 students dropping out of high school every day ( educationdata.org).

During the event, the students remembered favorite books from their own childhood years -- books like Strega Nona, Fancy Nancy, Pinkalicious, Flat Stanley, Olivia, and Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Then they gathered with paper, ribbons, pens, and glue to make book marks and goodie bags for a future RIF of NOVA distribution. Each girl also brought children's books to donate. Additional books were purchased by JVL with a significant discount from the Bards Alley indie book shop in Vienna. Thanks to all who contributed to this educational and inspirational event!