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Reading Is Fundamental Renews Ambassador Program
Volunteers in 50 states to expand reach of nation's oldest and largest children and families' literacy nonprofit organization
WASHINGTON, January 13, 2010—Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) renews its nationwide initiative aimed to expand its reach by engaging neighboring RIF programs and volunteers.
The RIF Ambassadors initiative, sponsored by Macy's, RIF's lead partner for Volunteer Engagement, bestows a working honor on RIF volunteers in 50 states, recognizing the valuable role of committed local volunteers in advancing RIF's mission of a literate America in which all children have access to books and discover the joy and value of reading. The initiative will also provide a structure of support for selected ambassadors to promote children's literacy and RIF in their communities. From the 2009 inaugural class, 31 Ambassadors will become State Advisors in 2010 and will support the new Ambassadors in their efforts.
The 2010 RIF Ambassadors are:
- Sandra Jarman Calvin of Decatur City Schools in Decatur, Alabama
- Shannon Clouse of Southwest Region School District in Dillingham, Alaska
- Charlotte Forte of Southwest Human Development (BFOs) in Phoenix, Arizona
- Airl Cheek of Cotter Elementary School in Cotter, Arkansas
- Basia Lubicz of Oakland Unified School District in Oakland, California
- Jennifer Pember of South Elementary, 27J School District in Brighton, Colorado
- Linda Bafumi of Simon Lake Elementary School in Milford, Connecticut
- Christine Buker of Parents As Teachers in Wilmington, Delaware
- Kelli Heath of John E. Ford K-8 school in Jacksonville, Florida
- Letta Cox of Concerted service/Head Start in Waycross, Georgia
- Leigh Kurata of Parents And Children Together (PACT) in Honolulu, Hawaii
- Ellen Tomlinson of Clearwater Memorial Public Library in Orofino, Idaho
- Evelyn Malave of Chicago Commons in Chicago, Illinois
- Kathy Ramey of Indianapolis Public Schools in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Amanda Mart of Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Head Start Program in Graettinger, Iowa
- Pamela Madaus of Reach Out & Read Kansas City in Kansas City, Kansas
- Kendra Mitchell of Lincoln County Board of Education in Stanford, Kentucky
- Sara Massey of Communities In Schools of New Orleans, Inc in New Orleans, Louisiana
- Deane Buuck of Winthrop Middle School in Winthrop, Maine
- Ana Bolden of PG County Alumnae DST Sorority in Mitchellville, Maryland
- Nancy Campbell of Children's Hospital Physicians on the South Shore in S. Weymouth, Massachusetts
- Becca Walsh-Wolfe of Grand Rapids Public Schools in Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Martha French of White Earth Head Start in White Earth, Minnesota
- Fergenia Hood of ICS Head Start in Holly Springs, Mississippi
- Shanna Smith of OACAC Head Start in Springfield, Missouri
- Roxanne Hovenkotter of Polson School District #23 in Polson, Montana
- Janel Keyes of Howard School PAB in Grand Island, Nebraska
- Steve Moylan of Spring Mountain School in Las Vegas, Nevada
- Karen Moyer of Rockingham Community Action in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
- Dennis Vroegindewey of Paterson Board of Education in Paterson, New Jersey
- William Carson of Salazar Partnership in Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Ellen Halliday of Brooklyn Public Library in Brooklyn, New York
- Karlene Fyffe of Durham County Library in Durham, North Carolina
- Shirley Deibert of Minot Head Start in Minot, North Dakota
- Sue Sattler of Buckeye Career Center in New Philadelphia, Ohio
- Linda Hines of Will Rogers Early Childhood Center in Ardmore, Oklahoma
- Margaret Haynie of D.A. Grout School in Portland, Oregon
- Renee Novello of School District of Philadelphia- South Region in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Maria Mendez-Garcia of International Charter School in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
- Betty Washington of Beaufort County First Steps in Beaufort, South Carolina
- Lucy Her Many Horses of Todd County School District in Mission, South Dakota
- Sone-Serae Batten of Mid Cumberland CAA Head Start/Early Head Start in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- Debbie Mckamie of Clark Intermediate School in Houston, Texas
- Sue Marshall of Salt Lake Community Act Program Head Start in Salt Lake City, Utah
- Ines Abdelnour of Building Bright Futures of Orleans/Northern Essex in Newport, Vermont
- Michelle Carrera of The Literacy Partnership in Norfolk, Virginia
- Jane Davies of First AME Child & Family Center in Seattle, Washington
- Bonita Wagner of Alexander Mitchell School in Greendale, Wisconsin
- Lois Meadows of Wood County Reading Council in Parkersburg, West Virginia
- Janet Rottman of Laramie Head Start in Laramie, Wyoming
Each RIF Ambassador will support RIF in 2010 by conducting outreach activities, blogging on a social networking website, and sharing the story of a child touched by RIF.
"Each year, RIF is able to help 4.5 million children in the U.S. discover the joy of reading, thanks to engaged and committed volunteers," said Carol H. Rasco, RIF president and CEO. "The RIF ambassadors program will allow us to further connect will all coordinators in all states."
About RIF
Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF), founded in 1966, motivates children to read by working with them, their parents, and community members to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life. RIF's highest priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8. Through community volunteers in every state and U.S. territory, RIF provides 4.5 million children with 16 million new, free books and literacy resources each year. For more information, and to access reading resources, visit RIF's website at www.RIF.org.
Discover the Joy!
Press Contact:
Alishia Frey
AFrey@RIF.org
(202) 536-3463
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