8/12/2019 NNYCF Book Program

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 NORTHERN NEW YORK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, I NC.120 Washington Street  Suite 400

Watertown, NY 13601(315) 782-7110  Fax: (315) 782-0047

web: www.nnycf.org  email: rande@nnycf.org

For Immediate Release  For more information, February 24, 2014 contact Rande Richardson 782-7110

“A Book in Every Hand” Project LaunchedGroup Aims to Purchase a Book for Every First-Grader

Teachers and librarians are teaming up with the Northern New York Community Foundation and

Flower Memorial Library with the goal of raising funds to purchase a book for every first-grader in the

Watertown City School District. The volunteer group hopes to raise $5,000 before the end of the school

year to reach their goal.The program, titled “A Book in Every Hand: Scratching the Surface of Early Literacy,” is being

led by Maria Mesires, a science teacher at Case Middle School and Maureen Lavarnway, an English as a

Second Language teacher at Knickerbocker and Ohio Elementary Schools. Assisting the effort are

Alison Spooner, a librarian at Case Middle School, and Barbara Wheeler, Amanda Tehonica, and

Ashley Pickett, all of Flower Memorial Library.

“Reading is an integral skill that all students need throughout their life in order to be successful

in every way, shape and form. My hope, by providing a book to every first-grader in the District, is to

spark a love of reading and an interest to sustain that love of reading,” said Ms. Mesires. “I have always

liked the phrase ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ and by partnering with the Northern New York

Community Foundation, the Watertown community can take part in assisting to grow the literacy of our

children,” she said.

If successful, the group plans to make the campaign an annual one, each year with a different

focus. This year’s theme is “Diving into Nonfiction.” The group is actively seeking support from

individuals, organizations and businesses. As a partnership with the Community Foundation, all gifts

made directly to the Foundation in support of the program are tax-deductible. To make a gift, send to:

 Northern New York Community Foundation, Attn: A Book in Every Hand, 120 Washington St., Suite

400, Watertown, NY 13601.

The Northern New York Community Foundation works with individual and corporate donors, as

well as non-profit organizations and schools, to enhance the overall value of their missions and interests # # #

8/12/2019 NNYCF Book Program

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The A Book In Every Hand project is raising money to purchase abook for every 1st grader in the Watertown City School District.

Supporting the love of reading at a young age has proven to createlifelong readers and boost academic success.

Scratching the Surface of Early Literacy

Help support the growth of reading in Watertown’s children! 

Submit to

Northern NY Community Foundation

c/o A Book In Every Hand120 Washington Street

Suite 400Watertown, NY 13601

Community Supporters

Book in Every Hand 

Please consider making

a donation!

Your contribution is tax deductible!

Program Directors:

Maria Mesires or Maureen Lavarnway

(315) 783-4760 (315) 771-0676

2014 Theme: Diving into Nonfiction!