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BOOKS IN THE COMMUNITY

During the pandemic, RIF of NOVA began collecting new and (very) gently used books from the Northern Virginia community with the goal to provide more books to children who had no access to schools or libraries. The program has been so successful that we have begun to share our donated books (along with some new ones!) not only with our existing network of 36 schools and sites, but also with local organizations that would like to provide books to the children they serve. Below, please find photos from some of the community events where RIF of NOVA has provided books.

If you are a nonprofit organization needing books for the children in your programs, we will try to help. Click here for information about how to GET BOOKS!
Children's Summer Reading Festival -- June 15, 2024
What fun for RIF of NOVA to join the Fairfax Library Foundation for its June 15 Children's Summer Reading Festival at the Fairfax County Woodrow Wilson Library. On a beautiful Saturday, cotton candy, balloons, music, and face painting added to the excitement of children choosing books to take home for summer reading -- thanks to the NOVA RIF Gently Used Book Donation Program!! Over a thousand books were distributed to eager young readers. And, of course, Clifford the Big Red Dog, was up to the task of delighting everyone -- that ham!!!
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Drew Day -- June 1, 2024
Drew Day at Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary in Arlington had a little something for everyone -- with the Drew Dragon Dash fun run, a choral performance, face painting, a display of Drew Elementary children's projects, games, a bloodmobile, and books for all from the NOVA RIF gently used book collection! Thanks to our community of book givers, more children will have books to read for the summer and beyond! Drew is one of the many Northern Virginia schools served by NOVA RIF.
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Summers in Seven Corners Block Party -- May 18, 2024
The rain and cloudy weather did not dampen enthusiasm at the Willston Multicultural Center in Falls Church on May 18 as over 300 books from NOVA RIF's Gently Used Book Program went into the hands of kids and families. Sporting raincoats, hoods, and umbrellas, the children were thrilled to see Clifford, the Big Red Dog -- who is always ready with hugs and high fives. And the parental paparazzi were on hand to capture the smiles that Clifford and fun books can generate!
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Local Little Free Libraries Get NOVA RIF Books
The Little Free Library's Steward Book Directory showcases opportunities for stewards to receive free books from individuals and organizations. Through this directory, RIF of NOVA is partnering with Little Free Libraries to help supply very gently used children's books to custodians of Little Free Libraries in Northern Virginia. Several local citizens have already taken advantage of this partnership.
When Tracy Grondine and her son Jack decided to install a Little Free Library in their yard, they had plenty of adult books to share with neighbors -- but no children's books. So they turned to NOVA RIF through the LFL's Stewardship Directory. Tracy explained that establishing a Little Free Library and filling it with books makes her feel as if it's Christmas. Her library is dedicated in memory of her grandmother Loreine Kessler Stout who was a voracious reader and instilled in Tracy the love of books and reading.
Dean Tackman and his wife Joanne Uyeda welcome children and adults to their Little Free Library on a tree-lined street in Falls Church. With neighbors of many backgrounds, they attempt to provide a diverse collection of books to meet the varied interests of their community. Dean and Joanne, who is retiring as principal from Abington Elementary School in Arlington, also welcome birds and bees and other creatures to their yard, which is an official Wildlife Habitat.
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Earth Day Fairfax -- April 20, 2024
Repurpose, reuse, recycle! RIF of NOVA shared over 700 donated books with children at Earth Day Fairfax 2024 as part of our Books in the Community program! Happy faces in happy spaces, all delighted to choose books and to meet Clifford, the Big Red Dog...who is never shy to meet new friends! And the kids were over the moon to hug or high five or hold hands with him! A few even wanted to try on the Clifford costume! After the event, one mom gave an online donation and wrote: "You guys rock! This booth at the Earth Day celebration made my daughter's day! She loves reading and loved the selection."

Thanks to our many, many book donors who have given over 25,000 books to date to reshare with new readers! More on the NOVA RIF book donor program is clickable here!
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Book Elves in Alexandria -- December 2023
RIF of NOVA joined Wright to Read in December to offer books to several nonprofits seeking books to deliver in the City of Alexandria during the holiday season. One of the recipients was Inspire Lit, an Alexandria organization dedicated to inspiring a love of reading and promoting literacy by increasing access to engaging books. Right up our "elf-ish" alley! The NOVA RIF books were donated from our donated book collection. Read more about that by clicking here.
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Oktoberfest Vienna -- October 7, 2023
On a beautiful fall day, the town of Vienna, Virginia came together for its annual Oktoberfest, a day featuring local businesses, food, music, and fun for all! RIF of NOVA was there, too, providing books from the NOVA RIF Donated Books program and promoting books and reading for the broader NOVA community. Mrs. Virginia America 2023, Dr. Ingrid Bynum, stopped by to chat with children and talk about the joy of books. Such a great community event with lots of face-painted smiles!
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Falls Church McLean Children's Center Fall Festival -- October 6, 2023
Children from the Falls Church McLean Children's Center community had a ball painting pumpkins, stuffing "scarecrows," and picking out books to love! RIF of NOVA's trove of donated books came from our Donated Books program and made a whole bunch of children excited and happy to choose some new-to-them books of their own!
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Groveton Elementary's August Open House -- August 17, 2023
The Groveton Tigers were very excited to get free, gently used books courtesy of RIF of NOVA. As librarian and NOVA RIF liaison Eileen Findley wrote, "We received lots of comments like 'Wow, these are really good books,' and questions like 'For real, I don’t have to pay for it?” Thanks to generous donors in the Northern Virginia community, some deserving children have good books to start off their new school year!
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Dranesville Elementary's Back-to-School Extravaganza -- August 16, 2023
RIF of NOVA, the Northwest Federal Credit Union, and other community organizations came together at Dranesville Elementary School in mid-August to prepare students for the coming year. Volunteers from the NWFCU provided kindergarten through sixth grade students with backpacks and basic supplies. Then children picked up several books from the RIF of NOVA gently used book collection to sneak in some summer reading before the start of school. Families also had a chance to collect information from other community organizations ready to support them in having a healthy and happy school year.
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Popsicles in the Park -- July 12 and 26, 2023
Popsicles in the Park! What a great idea for family fun, with popsicles, story reading, and NOVA RIF books given to Carlin Springs Elementary School children and families. All books provided at the two events were donated via the RIF of NOVA gently used book program and many from a special collection of more than 300 nearly new books donated by Merrill Lynch employees in Northern Virginia. Thank you!
A full team from Carlin Springs greeted students and RIF of NOVA on July 26!
Performers from Arlington's Educational Theatre Company captured full attention during their July 26th book reading!
RIF of NOVA board members, Young Ambassadors, and other volunteers staffed the book table to the delight children and families who attended.
Principal Carmen De La Cruz Scales (l), librarian and NOVA RIF liaison Holly Nisco (m), and AP Enis Al Majeed showed their full support on July 12th!
Instructional Assistant Janet O'Grady (shown in red with a book) delighted the children with her reading of Drew Daywalt's hilarious New York Times bestseller, The Day the Crayons Quit.
What else can be said...a very happy customer! Choosing a book of one's own can do that!
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A Meet and Greet Welcome -- June 6, 2023
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(l-r) Justina Johnson, Liz Promen, new NOVA RIF Young Ambassador Marley Clift, incoming principal Carmen De La Cruz, and Lisa Keathley
RIF of NOVA was delighted to provide books for kids at a community Meet and Greet to help welcome incoming Carlin Springs ES principal Carmen De La Cruz, already sporting her Cardinals shirt! With popsicles, music, balloons, and books for all, it was a wonderful way to introduce a new RIF of NOVA school leader! All books were provided via the RIF of NOVA gently used book program!
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Drew Day -- June 3, 2023
Drew Day at Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary had a little something for everyone -- with a fun run, music, games, a bloodmobile, and books for all from the NOVA RIF gently used book collection! Thanks to our community of book givers, more children will have books to read for the summer and beyond!
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"Summer Thrive" at River Oaks Elementary School -- June 1, 2023

A "Summer Thrive" event at River Oaks ES in PWC included a RIF of NOVA team with hundreds of books for children and families, provided from our gently used book program. With Title 1 reading teacher Alshaia Hargrove leading the charge, the idea was to encourage reading over the summer!

It was a happy event...except when one little one dropped her book and was none too happy. We get it! It's what happens when you don't have your book in hand!
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(l-r) Alshaia (Shai) Hargrove of River Oaks with RIF of NOVA's Justina Johnson, Jen Morrow, and Liz Promen
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Culmore Community Day -- May 6, 2023
Fairfax County's Woodrow Wilson Library hosted Culmore Community Day, complete with music, dancing, access to community resources, and BOOKS for children! On a beautiful Saturday, kids were able to choose books of their very own, with all books provided from the NOVA RIF gently used book program. The excitement was palpable, especially when Clifford got into the act. That big red dog just put on the smiles!
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Special thanks to Marley-Grace Clift (l) and Carrie Cimino for volunteering to play Clifford!
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Books Around Town!
Moms for Moms: Maternal Mental Health Matters
Dr. Aimee Danielson’s practice focuses on moms who are struggling with post-partum depression. At an event to raise funds and awareness of this important issue, she showed off one of a collection of books supplied by NOVA RIF. The books will help support a clinic at Medstar Georgetown.
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"Summers in Seven Corners"
Block Party
RIF of NOVA books were part of a block party celebration at Seven Corners on May 20, 2023 along with food giveaways, folk dancing, and activities for kids!
ECHO -- Ecumenical Community Helping Others
ECHO is an all-volunteer nonprofit that gives food and financial help to people with short-term emergencies. Volunteer Tom P unloaded a NOVA RIF donation of 75 books for middle and high school students to help with their summer reading.
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Kids & Family Expo, April 15, 2023
NOVA RIF provided over 200 books for children who attended the Kids & Family Expo at the David R. Pinn Community Center in Fairfax. The Lorton Volunteer Fire Department provided some outside excitement, while inside, children could pick up balloon creations, listen to several authors reading, and choose a few books of their very own!
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Arlington Food Assistance Center -- November 5, 2022
RIF of NOVA shared gently used books during a food distribution at AFAC, the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Children and parents alike were delighted to choose books, along with healthy meals. Alex Pomper, NOVA RIF Young Ambassador, started the collaboration via his own book website: giveakidabook.org. Pomper is shown in the gray T-shirt with his mom, Anne Kim (m), and NOVA RIF board member Sari Warren.
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Vecinos Unidos -- October 2022
In October 2022, with a donation from Reading is Fundamental (RIF) of Northern Virginia, Vecinos Unidos was able to provide a gift of brand new books for each child in the program. Our children received two books each (their choice!) and took them home to keep. Wrote the VU director: "The children were ecstatic! We heard cries of “wow!” and watched one of our second-graders clean his hands before picking up his brand-new books." See the full blog about this book donation by clicking here.
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Falls Church McLean Children's Center's Fall Festival -- October 7, 2022
The Falls Church McLean Children's Center (FCMLCC) held its Fall Festival with a hay maze, crafts, a food truck, and books for children contributed by NOVA RIF! As an invited participant, NOVA RIF was delighted to share some of our donated, like-new books with deserving children and families!
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Groveton Elementary Resource Fair -- August 13, 2022
Groveton Elementary School held its annual back-to-school Resource Fair in August, and RIF of NOVA books were a major part of the fun! A thousand books -- contributed by the NOVA RIF community of book donors -- were displayed in the gym, where students and their families could choose several books each to start a home library. Special thanks to fair organizer, Assistant Principal Françoise Casablanca, along with librarian and NOVA RIF liaison Eileen Findlay, special assistant Priscilla Karau, and a team of teachers and specialists for organizing the books into a display to rival all others! What an amazing success...as these images show!
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Credit -- Michael Greene
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Popsicles in the Park -- July and August 2022
What could be better than a popsicle and a book to read to add to summer's fun! RIF of NOVA joined forces with Carlin Springs Elementary School's Popsicles in the Park program for four summer reading celebrations. Along with popsicles and books to choose, Carlin Springs teachers read entertaining books to the gathering of children and their families. Special thanks to Carlin Springs librarian and NOVA RIF liaison Holly Nisco and Community School Coordinator Carol Sabatino and their colleagues for partnering together for this novel way to provide books for children over the summer.
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Culmore Community Day -- April 23, 2022
Culmore Community Day took place at Fairfax County's Woodrow Wilson Library. Eight hundred books, plus lollipops and bookmarks, went into the hands of children -- who were delighted to start their at-home libraries with such great opportunities to read. The books ranged from board books for the little ones to YA books for teens, and everything in between for kids interested in everything from dragons to magic to character stories. And fun? Had by all. Just take a look!
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