AMAZON's DECEMBER BOOK EXTRAVAGANZA
Amazon and RIF of NOVA partnered up in a major effort to put books into the hands of several thousand NOVA area children just before the 2023 holiday break. The firm funded three new books each for all Pre-K through second grade children at an early childhood center and 14 Alexandria elementary schools (including four schools already in the RIF NOVA program -- Cora Kelly, Polk, Patrick Henry, and John Adams)!
RIF NOVA board members ordered all the books (a tall order, indeed!). At Amazon's headquarters, the books were "stickered" so the kids could write in their names, then sorted for delivery to the 15 sites. Each child also received a bookmark, many of them personalized with messages from Amazon volunteers. |
Volunteers packed the books...
Over 100 Amazon volunteers, led by Cynthia Caglar, senior manager, Amazon in the Community (AITC) Education, worked throughout an early December day, along with several NOVA RIF board members, to organize and put stickers in over 15,000 books. The books were then delivered by Amazon trucks and drivers to the Alexandria schools. What an amazing gift that allowed Alexandria children and their families to read over the holidays! We are beyond grateful! The children were, too!
The following week...new books were delivered to thousands of Alexandria kids!
Picking three books each to take home for the holidays was beyond fun for these Polk Elementary School children! Polk was one of 14 Alexandria elementary schools and one child development center where children received the gift of reading from Amazon!
Thanks to AMAZON for such an amazing gift!