As the new school year begins...

...children in our community are preparing their books and backpacks to start anew. We at RIF NOVA have been preparing, too. In fact, we have been working all summer on a variety of programming initiatives to continue to bring books to children so they can build home libraries. Why is this important...

...In a new 5-year study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers found that children who received books to build their personal home libraries -- no matter their economic status -- significantly outperformed their peers on state literacy assessments, achieving reading gains equivalent to approximately one-half to two-thirds of a year of additional learning. The study reinforces RIF NOVA's longstanding mission of putting books into the hands of children across Northern Virginia in order to build home libraries!!!

In other news...we have just launched a freshly designed website to better capture all of our activities. (It's the same address -- www.rifnova.org.) And while we have an updated look, our commitment is still the same -- to provide books to children to take home to keep as part of their home libraries. Learn about our four key programs -- Books for Keeps, Authors in Our Schools, STEAM It Up!, and Donated Books. Find out how you can help by giving funds, giving time, and giving books! We hope you will join us to help provide books for LOCAL kids!

Book Donors in our Community

Throughout the summer, book donors have continued to collect new and like-new books to share with RIF NOVA. The books are sorted and then redistributed to schools and community organizations so kids can have more books in their home libraries! Here are a few recent donors. (By the way, chapter books for grades 2 to 4 are in short supply so please contact us if you have any that could find spots in new homes!)

Author Pat Tanumihardja recently donated several dozen new picture books to RIF NOVA after being a judge at a conference. A frequent participant in our Authors in Our Schools program, Pat posed in front of her own Little Free Library. The books she donated will definitely find new homes with kids in the RIF NOVA community!

Thanks to our friends at Doodlehopper 4 Kids, another great big box of books has been donated to RIF NOVA! At this Falls Church City toy store, shoppers can find cool toys AND donate new or very gently used books to Northern Virginia children who need them! Such a great community partnership!

Bob Maynes donated several dozen children's books to RIF NOVA in his wife's memory. "My wife Anne was an elementary school librarian for over three decades at McLean's Spring Hill Elementary. I lost her to Covid in 2020. This donation -- and the ones to come -- give me a chance to continue her legacy and love of books and reading."

Book Receivers in our Community

Wash and READ!

Thanks to a family of volunteers, there's a new bookshelf at the Casa Laundromat in Alexandria -- full of books from the RIF NOVA Donated Books program! Using materials donated by Mill Direct Flooring, this family not only built the shelf but set it up with signs in English and Spanish encouraging patrons to "Wash & Read." As soon as the books were stocked, eager young readers started making their selections.

Popsicles in the Park

The first of two Popsicles in the Park events got underway as the World Cup semifinals were being played. That did not stop families from gathering for popsicles from Arlington's Carlin Springs Elementary and books from RIF NOVA's Donated Books program! Such a fun celebration for summer readers!

Parting Shots -- That Clifford!

Our mascot Clifford has been seen around the town of Vienna this summer, visiting Bards Alley Bookshop. He spent some time practicing his reading (with a Clifford book, of course!) before an event called Paws on the Lawn. He also met with Bards owner and RIF NOVA Emeritus Council member Jennifer Morrow.

RIF NOVA is purchasing a brick for a walkway to Bards Alley's new location. We are happy to (ahem) pave the way for more books for kids and families! In turn, for every single brick sold, Bards will donate a book to RIF NOVA!!! If you'd like find out more about buying an engraved brick, please click here. A brick with your own special message PLUS a book for a local child! Another great community partnership for sure!

RIF NOVA is proud to be a top-rated 501(c)(3)U.S. nonprofit -- EIN 51-0155758. Every book we are able to give is due to YOU! Thank you for being part of the RIF NOVA community!!!

Your funds help with all RIF NOVA programs! Donate electronically by clicking here or on the Donate image above.

Send a check:

Reading is Fundamental of Northern Virginia, Inc. 

P.O. Box 7012

Arlington, VA 22207-0012

Books change lives!

RIF NOVA | www.rifnova.org | 703-528-3763 | info@rifnova.org

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