Washington Yu Ying Distribution Fair

On Thursday March 19, 2009 the Beginning the Journey (BTJ) chapter of Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) held its first 2009 distribution fair at Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School.

Thanks to the generous donations from our giving circle members BTJ was able to present 128 students with a book of their choice. Yolanda Makle, Ms. Belleza Latina 2009, was on hand as the celebrity reader. I must say she has a knack for reading stories to young children. She had their full attention the entire time which was evident when she asked them their favorite portion of the book afterwards. I know the students learned from this experience but they were not the only ones because Yolanda also picked up a few Chinese phrases herself due to Washington Yu Ying being a Chinese Immersion school.

The students and school faculty were extremely appreciative of participating in the days activities. Below is an except from an email received from Sarah Harris the school's principal:

"That was such a wonderful event this morning, thank you!! I can't tell you how excited our students were to be taking home their new books this afternoon. One of our PreK students asked me this morning if they would have to bring their books back to school, and when I said that they could keep them, they cheered!"

It is stories such as these that make my efforts worthwhile. Thank you donors and my Board of Directors for assisting me in my efforts to foster a love of reading in our young people.