We congratulate U. S. Senator Roger F. Wicker and U. S. Congressman Rubén Hinojosa who were this year’s recipients of the inaugural Book Champion Award. Thank you for all the work that you do on behalf of children across our nation.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation was this year’s recipient of the Legacy of Literacy Award. Accepting on behalf of the foundation was Greg Sparks, Dollar General Literacy Foundation board member and executive vice president of store operations. For over a decade, RIF has been extremely fortunate to have the support of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation — one of our most consistent and enthusiastic funding partners.

We’d also like to thank our Anne Hazard Richardson Volunteer of the Year Award recipients who donate their time, talents and energy to motivate children to read. From left to right, RIF president and CEO, Carol H. Rasco, awardees Maira Burns, Dr. Wanda Dawson, Ellen Halliday and Justina Johnson Head along with RIF board chairman, Jack Remondi.

In addition, we’d like to thank Kelly Bingham and Paul O. Zelinsky for their wonderful rendition of the Z Is for Moose story. Their fun and irreverent humor was a wonderful way to end the evening and leave us wanting more.

We hope to see you back again next year as RIF celebrates its 50th anniversary!

P is for Pictures! Click here to see photos from this year’s gala celebration.

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.