Dear Friends of Reading to Kids:

It is with great sadness that we pass along the news to you that on January 3, 2008, Reading to Kids volunteer Deidre Dale passed away unexpectedly after becoming ill with pneumonia.  Deidre began volunteering with Reading to Kids at Politi Elementary in November 2007.  She returned to Politi in December, and she was signed up to join us again at Politi this month before her untimely passing last week.  Click here to visit her tribute page and to learn more about Deidre.  

Deidre dedicated much of her time and energy to supporting children's charities, and she loved working directly with kids.  After attending our December reading clubs, she wrote in her survey "Children, all children, are precious!" 

Our January reading clubs also mark the anniversary of another untimely passing.  Two years ago, Reading to Kids Taskforce Member Helga Hung died in a car accident on her way home from the reading clubs.  As a lasting tribute to Helga, we put together our own tribute page to her on our website.

Individuals like Deidre and Helga make a difference at Reading to Kids.  Even with 500 people signed up to participate tomorrow, the reading clubs still come down to one room, two volunteers, and a small group of kids sharing the joy of reading.  Deidre was partially right.  All children are precious.  But so are all of our volunteers.

Tomorrow, we honor Deidre and Helga by continuing to do what each of them loved to do so dearly.  We will bring together volunteers, teachers, kids, and parents who all share the common goal of making this world a better place.

We hope that the memories of Deidre and Helga will inspire each of you to continue to engage in acts of volunteerism.  As Hada Bejar wrote, "The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose."

Therefore, we dedicate our January reading clubs to the memories of Deidre Dale and Helga Hung.  

Sincerely,

Jessica Tritsch & Sarah Kolterman 
Reading to Kids 
1600 Sawtelle Blvd, Suite 210 
Los Angeles, CA 90025 
(310) 479-7455 
(310) 479-7435 (FAX) 
info@readingtokids.org
www.readingtokids.org 
www.myspace.com/readingtokids  
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2254127481