A Message from the Editor

As a member of the Executive Board I will be stepping up to take on Janet Crimmin's duties as she approaches her June retirement. It goes without saying that Janet will be a hard act to follow and she will be dearly missed. I am enormously thankful Janet and her husband, Tim Crimmins, will continue to serve on the Executive Board and offer their invaluable advise and insight.

I have been involved with Link to libraries for four years. I served as the project director for a pilot Link to Libraries read aloud program with senior readers from the Loomis Communities and was the organizing project director for the Welcome to Kindergarten, Holyoke program, now ably directed by Francie Cornwell. Currently, Kathy Kessler and I run the Link to Libraries Pre-school Read Aloud program at Square One in Springfield. I am also a monthly reader at the Brightwood School in Springfield and, of course, the Editor of News Links.

From labeling books, stuffing literacy book bags, counting books for the annual inventory, working on special events, participating in the Read Aloud programs to joining Sue at media and special events, one thing stands out above all else -- this is a remarkable non-profit organization, one that attracts individual volunteers, local businesses, and organizations who come together to help enrich the lives of our neediest students. We are motivated by the belief that every child in our community deserves the opportunity to achieve reading literacy with beautiful new books in their schools and for their own home libraries. I am so proud to be a part of Link to Libraries.

Roberta

Roberta Hillenberg-Gang 

Executive Board

Book a Trip Around the World A Great Success

The Link to Libraries biannual event, "Book a Trip Around the World: A Journey to Literacy," took place on April 30, 2014 at the Delaney House and D. Hotel & Suites in Holyoke. Over six hundred attendees were treated to an event unlike any other. Many thanks go to Peter Rosskothen and Chef Mick Corduff, owners of the D. Hotel & Suites and the Delaney House, who generously treated guests to delicious regional cuisine and signature drinks, each room representing a different country. Music, dance, themed floral designs by Flowers, Flowers! and lighting by CJC lighting created a festive atmosphere and an opportunity for local people to learn about the work  Link to Libraries does in our community. One hundred percent of ticket sales went to Link to Libraries.

The event featured artwork by nearly fifty students from Springfield and Holyoke public schools. The works included murals and posters on canvas, pottery and freestanding exhibitions for each country represented at the event. Many thanks to Julie Jaron (City of Springfield) and Bill Greaney (City of Holyoke) for organizing and displaying their students' artwork.

The event committee, lead by Sally Schneider (Longmeadow) and including Susan Bennett (Wilbraham), Gail Baquis (Longmeadow), Rachel Voci (Log Cabin/Delaney House), and Laura Robitaille (Westfield) worked diligently to make sure the event was one to remember.

We are very grateful to our the event sponsors: Health New England and Rediker Software, and our event creators; Delaney House and D. Hotel & Suites, Boston Beer Works/Commercial Distributing, CJC Events, Commonwealth Wine & Spirits, Flowers, Flowers!, Holyoke Public Schools Art Department, Springfield Public Schools Art Department, United Liquors, and Williams Distributing. This was truly a night to remember..

The Celebrity Read Aloud program had a very successful year. Our Celebrity Readers visited third grade classes at Homer, Kensington, Liberty, Safe, and Tatham schools. We added new readers to our program this spring; Eric Lesser, candidate for State Senate and Elizabeth Roman, The Republican, Springfield, were our newest readers. Our dedicated readers insp

Dave Madsen of WGGB ABC40

ire and engage their young audiences with their own life stories, enthusiasm, and expressive readings.

Many of our celebrity readers enjoy the experience so much they have transitioned to our Monthly Independent Readers program at one designated school. We are so grateful to all our readers for their dedication and commitment.

We are busy building the schedules for the 2014-2015 school year. We will kick off another great year in the fall.    

Our Newest Pre-School Read Aloud programs:

Mason Square Read Aloud

Francie Cornwell reads to the students

In January, Francie Cornwell and Margot Woodworth launched a new Link to Libraries Pre-School Read Aloud program at the Mason Square Head Start in Springfield. The program is modeled after the LTL Pre-School Program at Square One in Springfield run by Kathy Kessler and Roberta Hillenberg-Gang. Francie and Margot have been reading the book Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin and then doing a short story-themed craft activity with the children. By the end of the school year they will have visited all six preschool classrooms. Each child receives a new book to bring home at the end of the day.

Pat Gentile, director at Mason Square, and the classroom teachers have been very appreciative One classroom teacher purchased other Pete the Cat books and created storyboards to go with them. The children are so excited and enthusiastic it is a joy to visit their classrooms. We look forward to continuing this program next year.

Metcalf Pre-school Read Aloud

Tammy Trudeau and Carol Fox are co-project directors for a new Pre-School

LTL's Tammy Trudeau reading and Principal Amy Burke

Read Aloud program, which began in April 2014 at the Joseph Metcalf Pre-School on Northampton Street in Holyoke. Amy Burke is the school principal there. They read once a month and always give each child a new book to take home with them for their personal library.  

For the Trudeau family, Tammy and Bill Trudeau and their daughters Ellie and Grace, Link to Libraries is a shared commitment. The enthusiasm and support they each, in their own way, offer is truly extraordinary. What stands out above all else is a passion for reading and a desire to ensure all children in our community have the opportunity to achieve reading literacy.

Tammy Trudeau has volunteered for Link to Libraries for the past three years.

LtoR: Ellie, Tammy, Bill & Grace Trudeau

She co-chairs the Fundraising and Events committee with LTL volunteer, Michelle Tremblay, and is the facilitator for our Link to Libraries Teen Group. Tammy runs the Link to Libraries Metcalf Pre-School Read Aloud program with LTL volunteer, Carol Fox, and she is a presenter for the Link to Libraries Celebrity Read Aloud program. When asked why she likes volunteering for LTL, Tammy answered, "I think it is a fantastic organization. Reading is a huge part of my life and I love being able to see the children's faces when they receive new books."

Bill Trudeau is the President of Insurance Center of New England in Agawam, MA. He has been a property/liability and employees benefits broker in the Springfield area for 24 years. When Bill heard about the Link to Libraries Business Book Links program, he knew this would be a great way for his company to give back to the community. Insurance Center of New England sponsors the Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence in Springfield. He and his staff are readers at the School. Their sponsorship also enables Link to Libraries to purchase books for the Read Aloud program and the school library, and for each student at graduation. Bill says, "We love the kids at the MLK Jr. Charter School and it is gratifying to see them enjoy learning and enjoy receiving beautiful new books to read."

Ellie Trudeau is a junior at Minnechaug Regional High School. Her favorite subjects in school are Art and History. She loves drawing and painting. Ellie is on the Teen Advisory Board and helps label books before they are packed and ready for distribution. She helped organize two very successful children's movie night fundraising events. Ellie likes volunteering for Link to Libraries because, "It is a great cause. Reading books is something every child should have access to; it is not just a privilege. I am happy to be part of an organization that promotes this idea."

Grace Trudeau is an 8th grader at Wilbraham Middle School. Some of her favorite subjects include Social Studies and English. She enjoys playing sports, dancing, and hanging out with friends and family She has been a LTL volunteer for three years and, like her sister Ellie, is on the Student Advisory Board. When asked how she got involved, Grace explains her sister, Ellie, inspired her to join, making Link to Libraries a true family affair.   

Jennifer Alexander who received her Doctorate in Education and Leadership in May 2014. Jen is a Link to Libraries volunteer along with her children, Emerson and Darien.

Andrew Robitaille, Suffield Academy, for preparing the PowerPoint presentation for the Link to Libraries April 30th event at the Delaney House

Abby Simon Plumb on her Bat Mitzvah in May at Sinai Temple

James McCormick,

Casey Simon Plumb on graduating from Minnechaug High School; she will be attending Swarthmore College

Dan Fein on graduating from Longmeadow High School; he will be attending Wentworth Institute, Boston.

Alec Robinson on graduating from Minnechaug High School

Bo Sjoberg on graduating from Longmeadow High School

Kieran Summers on graduating from Wilbraham & Monson Academy; he will attend Quinnipiac College in the fall

Jack Nystrom on graduating from Longmeadow High School; he will attend Boston University this fall    

Connor Perry on graduating from Longmeadow High School.  

Integrity Martial Arts, Enfield, and Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Enfield for running a successful book drive to benefit Link to Libraries during the month of April 2014.

April 30 event committee: Sally Schneider, Gail Baquis, Janet Crimmins, Kelly Beaulieu, Laura Robitaille, Jen Alexander, Susan Bennett, Julie Jaron , Bill Greaney, Peter Rosskothen and Rachel Voci and the staff and partners at Delaney House and D. Hotel & Suites for a successful and wonderful fund raiser to benefit Link to Libraries in April.

Link to Libraries Youth Advisory Board members Ellie Trudeau, Grace Trudeau, Bobby Tremblay, and Molly Finnegan, who organized and ran the movie night for elementary school age children in April at the Minnechaug Regional High School.

Amanda Biron at Rediker Software for all her technical support.

Thank you to our grant foundations for their support:

The Frank Stanley Beveridge Foundation, Inc. 

US Trust / Bank of America

PeoplesUnited

Charles Hall Foundation

Newman's Own

Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation

Health New England

United Bank

PeoplesBank

Chicopee Savings Bank

Big Y Foods

United Way of Pioneer Valley

Baystate Health Foundation 

Many thanks!

To Rediker Software, Inc.  

of Hampden for graciously providing us with warehouse space and for the many hours of volunteer  service their employees provide to us.  

www.rediker.com