August Newsletter

August 2026 Newsletter

Will We See You at Our Sixth Annual Play for Literacy?

We warmly invite you to join us for our Sixth Annual Play for Literacy Golf & Pickleball Event on Monday, August 31, at Exmoor Country Club, co-hosted by Joanie Alley and Maggie Wehmer.

With just two weeks to go and limited spots available, now is the time to join us! Whether you spend the day on the golf course, enjoy the pickleball courts, or join us for cocktails and dinner, your participation directly helps more students build the reading skills they need to thrive in school and beyond.

JOIN US AT PLAY FOR LITERACY

2026 Play for Literacy Presenting Sponsor

2026 Play for Literacy Premier Sponsor

2026 Play for Literacy Legacy Sponsor

The Cowie Family

2026 Play for Literacy Reception Sponsors

Kathy McFarland and Laurel Taylor

2026 Play for Literacy Lunch Sponsor

2026 Play for Literacy Halfway House Sponsor

Diane Quinn

2026 Play for Literacy Driving Range Sponsor

Moceri Family Foundation

2026 Play for Literacy Pickleball Sponsor

PhilanthroPitts Foundation - Giving with Joy

2026 Play for Literacy Putting Range Sponsors

Ann and Robert Bates

2026 Play for Literacy Bag Sponsor

2026 Play for Literacy Golf Ball Sponsor

2026 Play for Literacy Sunscreen Sponsor

2026 Play for Literacy Golf Cart Sponsors

2026 Play for Literacy Champion

The Lochiatto Family

2026 Play for Literacy Marra Lochiatto Award Recipient

We’re thrilled to announce that Kathleen Cowie will receive Reading Power’s 2026 Marra Lochiatto Legacy Award at our Sixth Annual Play for Literacy event.

Kathleen’s impact on Reading Power spans more than 15 years—from volunteer tutor to Board member and longtime advocate for literacy.

Her thoughtful leadership, generosity, and unwavering belief in the power of one-to-one tutoring have helped Reading Power reach more students and communities.

We’re so grateful for Kathleen’s incredible dedication and look forward to celebrating her and the legacy she continues to build!

Reading Power Selected for a 2026 Invest for Kids Grant

We’re honored to share that Reading Power has been selected as a 2026 Invest For Kids Grant Recipient!

This year’s grant cycle was the organization’s most competitive yet, with 149 nonprofits applying and just 12 selected. We’re incredibly proud to be among them.

This $200,000 investment will help us continue providing individualized, high-dosage literacy tutoring to students, helping them build the skills and confidence they need to become successful, joyful readers.

We’re so grateful to Invest For Kids and to you for believing in Reading Power and investing in the future of Chicago’s children.

Together, we’re opening doors through literacy.

2026 INVEST FOR KIDS GRANTEES

We’ve Got Spirit (Wear), Yes We Do!

We’re excited to share that Reading Power has a brand-new swag store! From cozy favorites to fun ways to show your Reading Power pride, there are so many options to choose from, and we have a feeling you’ll find something you love.

A special thank-you to Board Member Betsy Matthews for bringing this idea to life through her company, Local Soul. Her creativity and generosity helped make this new resource possible, and we’re so grateful!

Now you can wear your love for Reading Power and help spread the word about the power of literacy wherever you go!

SHOP READING POWER'S SWAG STORE

Making a Big Impression: Thank You, PostNet!

We’d be remiss not to extend a huge thank you to PostNet for all they do to support Reading Power! From helping bring Play for Literacy to life to printing our Impact Report and so much more throughout the year, their partnership helps us present our mission and our work in the very best light.

We’re incredibly grateful for this valued local partnership and for all the ways PostNet helps us share the Reading Power story with our community.

Thank you for helping us make an impact—one project at a time!

Become a Key Sponsor

Thank you to everyone who has already stepped forward as a Reading Power Key Sponsor. Your generosity is helping unlock the power of reading for our students — one page, one book, one day at a time.

Interested in joining them? With a gift of $41 per month or a one-time donation of $500, you can fund the training of a volunteer tutor for an entire school year, helping a child build stronger reading skills and confidence.