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Action Alert: Reinstate RIF's Funding Effort Moves to Senate!

President Obama's proposed FY11 budget eliminates funding for RIF and our nationwide services. Support is building in the House, but the Senate process is just beginning. Act now to help.

Vote for RIF and a Child's Future

Now through May, American Express will donate $200,000 to the participating charity with the most votes in their online Members Project. You can vote as often as once a week, so start today and help make a child's future brighter.

RIF is On The Move!

In late spring, RIF will have a new address: 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20037. Stay tuned for the specific move date. Contact information for RIF staff will remain the same.

Make Your RIF Dreams Come True

Your upcoming RIF distribution might be just a gleam in your eye, but why not turn that gleam into a dream with the Dream RIF Giveaway with prizes provided by the Oriental Trading Company! By submitting this easy online form, your RIF program will be entered into a contest to win one of 25 $500 Oriental Trading gift cards. Think how far $500 could go in adding some pizzazz to your RIF distribution. From bookmarks and pencils to stickers and glow necklaces, it's sure to be one RIF event your kids will never forget!

The Best Part of Her Day

Congratulations to our March Program of the Month, the Page Ahead RIF program in Seattle. The best part of Coordinator Jacki Crowther's day is reading thank-you notes from RIF children. They're "hilarious, heartwarming, and sometimes heartbreaking." Read more.

Welcome 2010 RIF Ambassadors

Meet our "reading rock stars," also known as the RIF Ambassadors. This working honor recognizes the invaluable role of local volunteers. In 2010, this group of 50 dedicated local leaders will rock their communities for children's literacy by engaging neighboring programs and volunteers in literacy outreach activities. Check out the 2010 RIF Ambassadors, sponsored by Macy's.

RIF 2010 Gala: Save the Date!

RIF's 2010 Gift of Reading Gala will take place on Wednesday, May 26 at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. See sponsorship information, and buy advance tickets today.

2010 VOYA Schedule

Thank you to all who submitted a nomination for the 2010 Volunteer of the Year Awards. Although nominations are closed, the process continues!

February 15: Nominations close.
February 16-26: Judges choose regional winners.
March: Regional winners are nominated for VOYA.
April 18-24: Winners announced.
May 25-27: VOYAs are honored in Washington, D.C.

Book Supplier Update

With guidance from the Literature Advisory Board, RIF has issued Baseline Standards of Book Quality for Vendor Produced RIF Catalogs. With these guidelines now in place, coordinators can be assured that all books listed in vendor "RIF Catalogs" have been reviewed and approved at the national RIF office.

With the understanding that not all vendor catalogs are "RIF Catalogs," we offer the guidelines for your review and encourage coordinators to use them when selecting books from vendors whose general catalogs have not been reviewed by RIF. If you have feedback regarding the guidelines or RIF book-related issues, please contact Cathy Bryan, RIF's director of publisher relations at cbryan@rif.org.

*New and Improved* RIF Ready Packs!

Great news! RIF Ready Packs have been expanded to include more vendors, more themes, and lots more packs. Plus, based on feedback from coordinators like you, we've updated the ordering site. So whether you've ordered Ready Packs before or this will be your first time, check out this easy book ordering option.

The RIF Locator Map-NEW and IMPROVED

The new RIF Locator Map may generate inquiries about volunteer opportunities with your RIF program. To help you respond to these questions, we created e-mail templates for quick and easy replies.

Important Update For RIF Coordinators

RIF eligibility criteria for programs seeking federal funds is changing.
Click here for details and to find out about ways to report your program's economic need.

Free, Bilingual Activity Book for Preschoolers

Have fun reading and writing with preschool-age children with Our Book By Us!/Nuestro Libro ¡Hecho Por Nosotros! Created with award-winning author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds, this book encourages children to read, write, listen, and talk.

Download for free! 

Fun for Kids

 Leading to Reading             
 bilingual; for kids ages 0-5.

 Reading Planet
 for kids ages 6-15.

 Leamos en Familia
 bilingual; for kids ages 6-15.

 RIF's Activity Calendars
 bilingual; for kids of all ages.

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