Hi, my name is Jalonda Smith. I live on a farm in Falkville, Alabama. I grew up in a large family and a book was hard to come by, much less a new book without a page missing or pages colored on. The school library became my refuge, where my love of reading became a full-fledged passion.

My house now resembles a library. My mother-in-law, Becky Johnson, and I are very close. We tend to argue like mother and daughter, but I always know she will agree with me when I say, "Money spent on books is always well spent." I started reading to my children before they were born, and I hope I never stop.

In one of my favorite pictures of my son, I don't know his exact age but he is still in diapers. It is obviously his birthday or some holiday because he is lying on the floor with opened presents and new toys all around him. What's amazing is that even as a baby, he is completely engrossed in a children's book!! I have often told my daughter that she will be the only child in the world to be grounded from reading if she doesn't do the dishes. A love of books is a most precious gift. It is not always accepted. I am a very fortunate mother.

When my daughter started kindergarten, I became involved at the school. I volunteered for everything. In 2002, shortly after I became the vice president of PTO, Reading is Fundamental found me. My best friend, Karen Shaneyfelt, who happened to be the president of PTO, asked me if I would like to help out during RIF. I said yes, even though I had no idea what she was talking about. I was absolutely amazed! The kids were getting FREE books! I couldn't believe my eyes! They were not just free books; they were NEW books!

Reading is Fundamental was made for me. I fell in love with the program, and when Karen moved to Kentucky, I jumped in with both feet. My biggest regret when I resigned from PTO was that I would only be a volunteer on RIF day and not helping put that day together. Then, the new president of PTO asked me if I would like to continue taking care of RIF. Would I? ABSOLUTELY!! That is how I came to be the RIF coordinator for Falkville Elementary School.

I became close with the librarian, Gail Ayres, and the library assistant, Carolyn McClellan. At Falkville Elementary, we don't have RIF distributions. We have RIF parties. Four years ago I asked my mother-in law, Becky, to help with one of the parties. Since then, she has only missed one party. She has become my best volunteer. I found that once you get a volunteer for RIF, they are hooked.

We like to choose a theme, something that will grab the attention of the whole school. When the faculty gets involved, it intensifies the children's experience. Some of our themes have been "Getting READ-iculous in the Library" with each student receiving funny eyeglasses; "Reading Roundup" with trail mix, lizard juice, and red bandanas; "Reading Up a Snowstorm" with a contest to see who could dress the best for a snowstorm. Gail has supported me no matter what crazy idea I come up with. For instance, at one of my favorite RIF Parties, "Treat Yourself to a Good Book", everyone had hot chocolate and marshmallow treats while listening to Christmas stories. Hot chocolate for 380 children is not easy. So therefore when Gail and I came up with "Pop Open a Good Book" and decided to not only give all the kids popcorn, but also pop it in front of them, I was happy to see that all of my volunteers were as excited as we were. The kids got to enjoy fresh hot popcorn while they listened to The Popcorn Book by Tomie DePaola. At all of the RIF parties we like to give a free bookmark that goes with our theme. We take this opportunity to explain the importance of taking care of your brand new RIF book.

We have big plans for RIF this fall. The 2009-2010 school year will be our 10th year having Reading is Fundamental at Falkville! The plan is to include the freshmen of Falkville High School, since they are our first RIF babies. These kids are so lucky; they have never known school without Reading is Fundamental. "A Decade of Reading with RIF" will be a fantastic birthday party!

I couldn't say how many times over the last month I have been asked, "Why do you volunteer?" I always say, "It's for the kids!" It seems like such a small phrase and doesn't explain all of what is in my heart. So as I was writing this speech, I was looking for another way of saying, "It's for the kids." Then it occurred to me, I'm preaching to the choir. This is the RIF national office; everyone here is for RIF. When I say the kids are our future, you know what I'm talking about.

Reading Is Fundamental Ð fundamental means required, as in a foundation for the future. Books are the building blocks of that foundation. As adults we understand this. Our job is to teach the kids that Reading Is Fun!! My favorite thing about RIF is that I can barely walk through the school without stopping for hugs and questions about the next RIF.

I would like to thank Gail Ayres for nominating me for the Anne Richardson Volunteer of the Year Award. This award could not have been possible without the support of Falkville Elementary Faculty, the community of Falkville, all of our sponsors, supporters, and the excitement of the children at Falkville Elementary School. Most of all, thanks to my husband Matthew, my daughter Heather Rose, and my son Galen, for their support.

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