READING TO KIDS REACHES KEY MILESTONE IN GIVING

Local Grassroots Organization Donates 20,000th Hardcover Library Book to LAUSD Schools

SATURDAY, December 8, 2012 – Los Angeles, Calif. – When the children attending the Reading to Kids December reading clubs sit down around the classrooms to hear this month's book, they may not be aware that they are taking part in a special moment in the organization's history. As of this month, the organization will have donated more than 20,000 hardcover books to its participating schools for their school libraries.

"This is such an important milestone - for us, for the kids who show up for the reading clubs, and for the schools that welcome us every month," said Charlie Orchard, Managing Director, Reading to Kids. "A staggering number of kids in the Los Angeles area don't have age-appropriate books in their homes. That makes it even more important that they have access to these books at school, where hundreds of children can enjoy each book."

On the second Saturday of each month, Reading to Kids holds reading clubs at seven LAUSD elementary schools to bring volunteers and students together to instill a love of reading, thereby enriching their lives and opportunities for future success. A key element of this partnership is the donation of hardcover books after they have been read to the children- with audiences ranging from kindergarten through fifth grade - to the school libraries. By giving each school copies of the read aloud books, the students can access them any time - particularly the fourth and fifth graders, who are introduced to the first few chapters of their books during the reading clubs and then have the opportunity to check the books out from their libraries so they can finish them later. The children who attend the monthly reading clubs are also given their own paperback prize book to take home to build their personal libraries.

"It's important for children to enjoy reading and to have books at school, as well as at home," continued Orchard. "It's important for their future. It's important for all of us, and we're proud of what we've been able to do."

In addition to donating more than 20,000 hardcover library books to schools (with a value of over $250,000), Reading to Kids has also given over 110,000 age-appropriate paperback prize books directly to children for their home libraries. To ensure they can continue to serve their communities as they have for the last 13 years, Reading to Kids is currently running its Annual Fund Drive. To find out more, or to make a donation, visit www.readingtokids.org.

About Reading to Kids

Reading to Kids is a grassroots organization dedicated to inspiring underserved children with a love of reading, thereby enriching their lives and opportunities for future success. On the second Saturday of every month, Reading to Kids brings together a diverse group of volunteers from across Los Angeles to help instill the joys of reading and of the arts. For more information about Reading to Kids, or to sign up as a volunteer reader, please log onto www.readingtokids.org.