August 2022 Newsletter

Play for Literacy, Play for a Purpose 

Reading Power is hosting the second annual Play for Literacy Golf & Games Event on Monday, September 12th, at Onwentsia Club, Lake Forest. Join us and play for a purpose. 

Whether you want to…

⛳️ Hit the links on Onwentsia’s revered golf course

♣️ Join us for an afternoon of Euchre card play

🍸 Enjoy dinner on Onwentsia’s gorgeous outdoor patio at our cocktail reception

There is fun to be had for all! Don't wait! Spots are filling up quickly. 

Meet our Team: Susan Morris, MBA

Reading Power is thrilled to introduce Susan Morris, MBA, Events Manager

Susan joins Reading Power with over 20 years of experience in marketing and event management. Susan previously worked in higher education at Lake Forest College developing events and marketing programs for students, faculty, and alums. Earlier in her career, she worked in marketing brand management with various consumer brands

After struggling to learn to read as a child, she has now developed a life-long love of reading and is inspired to help others do the same. Susan has an MBA from the University of Tennessee and a degree in Advertising and Event Management from the University of Florida. She is married, lives in Lake Bluff with her husband and three daughters, and strives to live by the motto “We rise by lifting others.”

RP: Welcome to Reading Power, Susan! You’ve hit the ground running since joining the team planning the second annual Play for Literacy event.

SM: Yes! We are finalizing all the details for the second annual Play for Literacy Event on September 12th. Whether you’re a golfer, a card player, or want to come to socialize and support our mission, it will be such a fantastic day!

RP: What is your goal for events you plan?

SM: Whether it’s an event for five or five hundred, my goal is to ensure guests have a positive and joyful experience, learn about our organization and mission, and feel a sense of community with those around them.

RP: What other Reading Power events can we look forward to this year?

SM: So many exciting events are on the horizon! From a Family Literacy Night to a Fun Run/Walk, and of course, celebrating our 20th year with a very special event. Stay tuned!  

Donor Spotlight

This month, we would like to thank the following foundations for their generous support of Reading Power in 2022 and our mission to foster the promise of literacy.

The James and Madeleine McMullan Family Foundation Charitable Fund at The Lake County Community Foundation

The Libertyville Sunrise Rotary Club

The Grainger Family Foundation

Volunteer Tutor Kick Off Event

Reading Power will kick off our 20th year of programming by welcoming new and returning volunteer tutors to our annual Tutor Kickoff Event on August 31st at the Greenbelt Cultural Center (1215 N Green Bay Rd, in North Chicago)

The schedule of events is as follows:

9 am Tutor Kick-off (All tutors welcome)

9:45 to 10:15 am Tutor Mixer and Coffee Break (All tutors welcome)

10:15 to 11:45 am Foundations of Literacy Training (New tutors expected and returning tutors seeking a refresher course welcome) 

It’s not too late to join us! 

Never Stop Learning: Volunteer Tutor Training 

At Reading Power, we pride ourselves on the quality and availability of ongoing training opportunities. Please see our 2022 Fall Tutor Training schedule below and register for your sessions today.

In The Press

Deerfield Neighbors Feature

Thank you to Deerfield Neighbors for featuring Reading Power in the July 2022 Charity Spotlight!

Read the entire article on our website HERE 

Best of Deerfield Awards 



Reading Power is proud to have been selected as 2022 Best of Deerfield Awards winner in the Literacy Program category. 

Website Refresh 



We’ve been working on something new! Have you checked out our website refresh? Visit our site today! 

Lisa Bulzoni, MEd, Chief Executive Officer

Kristin Fine, MEd, Director of Programs

Viri Perez, MEd, Associate Director of Programs

Kate Burke, BS, Marketing and Communications Manager

Nancy Duffy, Resource Development Manager

Susan Morris, MBA, Events Manager

Beth Zender, MA, Volunteer Coordinator

Daniela Cruz, Office Manager

Melayna Pokorny, BA, Office Assistant 

Katie Burdiak, BA, Assistant Site Coordinator

Jennifer Bruns, MST, Site Coordinator

Julie Collishaw, MA, Site Coordinator

Brooke Davis, MEd, Assistant Site Coordinator

Julie DiGuiseppe, BS, Assistant Site Coordinator

Andrea Glickman, MAEd, Site Coordinator

Marla Guziec, BS, Site Coordinator

Mary Jane Hender, EdD, Site Coordinator

Lynn Lamet, BA, Assitant Site Coordinator

Aimee Lewis, MEd, Assistant Site Coordinator

Debbie Loring, MSEd, Site Coordinator

Mary Pawl, MAT, Site Coordinator

Cathy Plate, MSEd, Assistant Site Coordinator

Heather Rosenblatt, MAT, Site Coordinator

Elizabeth Soling, AA, Assistant Site Coordinator

Summer Zilisch, Assistant Site Coordinator