Mary Ellen Cravotta of Fort Bragg, NC
Elementary Librarian at Irwin Intermediate School

Mary Ellen knows how to make RIF events magical and memorable by involving the entire community at one the largest military bases in the U.S.— students, teachers, parents, soldiers, and commanders feel the joy!

“RIF helps kids realize books are great, that they make all the difference in their world,” says Mary Ellen. “My mission is to build a culture of reading with children and parents. In order to do that, I need lots of exciting reading activities. RIF has just been perfect for that.”

Ramon Gonzalez of New York, NY
Assistant Director, St. Aloysius Education Clinic

Ramon has loved RIF since he was seven. That’s when he appeared in one of the first RIF public service announcements and helped collect 1,000 pounds of aluminum to raise money to buy books.

Now, nearly four decades later, his passion to nurture young readers has led to his current role helping to serve 2000 children in seven different schools and a summer program.

“We are improving the greater Harlem community,” says Ramon. “Those who couldn’t read can now read. Kids we give books to tell us they want to stay in school and succeed. It definitely is a win.”

JoEllen Leech of Pittsburgh, PA
Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator

When JoEllen Leech joined RIF Pittsburgh in 2010, the organization had just adopted two programs after the close of another local children’s literacy group. It was JoEllen’s hard work, inspiration, and leadership that brought new life to those initiatives.

“We get hugs and happiness . . . the light in their eyes when they see us come. It’s a life-changing experience,” says JoEllen Having an opportunity to help children become readers really speaks to me.”

Celebrate with us!

The Volunteers of the Year Award winners will be recognized during RIF’s The Cat in the Hat Gala in Washington, D.C. on April 24. Get tickets and info.

Check out the Inspired Reading Giveaway now live on Facebook. Each day for the next 30 days we’re posting inspiring quotes to unite book lovers nationwide.  To join in,  take our Book People Unite pledge.

For every pledge, Gerber Life will donate a book to a child in need, with a goal of reaching 10,000 books — AND you’ll be entered to win a $10,000 College Plan. Pledge to Win! 

Don’t forget to share the inspiration with your friends so they can join too. Let’s resolve together to get more kids reading in 2014!

All year long, you gave us the power to move our mission forward. This holiday season, you will be filled with joy to know that we gave 3.3 MILLION BOOKS to children in underserved communities across U.S.!

And, we didn’t just stop there. Just take a look at our 2013 highlights— remarkable achievements made possible by your love of RIF and reading:

• A world view — We distributed over 3,000 sets of our newly released Multicultural Book Collection, featuring 40 award-winning books to excite kids about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) through stories and characters from around the world.
• Digital frontier — We released Our Book and Water Wonders, our first eBook apps, to provide kids with anytime, anywhere access to immersive reading experiences.
• Finding what works — With the help of the U.S. Department of Education’s Innovative Approaches to Literacy program, we began a multi-year research study in 15 states to combat summer reading loss among children living in poverty.
• Supporting military families — This spring, we welcomed 350 military families at Ft. Bragg, one of the largest and busiest military complexes in the world. One father gave a heartfelt reading of A Paper Hug, a book about a little boy who thinks of a special gift to give his dad who is being deployed to serve his country.
• Special delivery — We sent extra special love and 9,500 books to children in Oklahoma cities devastated by massive tornadoes.
• Major milestone — We celebrated 10 years of partnership with Macy’s, the nation’s largest department store and our largest corporate supporter. And we achieved our biggest milestone to date – raising enough funds throughout our partnership to give 10 million books to kids.

While the scope of this work is nothing short of fantastic — there are millions more children eagerly awaiting books to keep and cherish for their entire lives. With your continued support, we can reach them. Mission forward, together!

BTW, a donation to RIF today through Dec. 31. will be doubled. Double Books. Double Joy. rif.org/give

• Think about topics and hobbies they absolutely love!
• Check bookstores (local and online) to see if they have a wish list
• The classics are forever classic. And, they’ve been updated with some of the most beautiful covers you’ve ever seen.
• Friends trust friends. Choose one of your favorites and pen a personal note inside.
• A book store gift card is always welcome. No gift receipt needed.

Special reads for the little ones —This time of year, “best of” booklists pop up all over the internet. Here’s a shortcut to the best of the best children’s books of 2013.

	2013 Newbery Medal Winner: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate2013 Newbery Honor Books: Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz, published by Candlewick Press Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage
	2013 Caldecott Medal Winner: This Is Not My Hat, written and illustrated by Jon Klassen 2013 Caldecott Honor Books: Creepy Carrots!, illustrated by Peter Brown, written by Aaron Reynolds Extra Yarn, illustrated by Jon Klassen, written by Mac Barnett Green, illustrated and written by Laura Vaccaro Seeger Sleep Like a Tiger, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, written by Mary Logue

Book wrapping— Surely, you’ve received a present that was wrapped ever so beautifully that you gently peeled off the tape and unfolded the paper to preserve all the loveliness. It’s a moment we all treasure when giving and receiving gifts. So here are some inspiring ideas that will turn an ordinary book into an extra-ordinary treasure. They also meet our criteria: simple supplies, super easy, and oh-so cute.