BOOK IT FOR BOOKS 5K/ONE-MILE FUN RUN October 28, 2023
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One of NOVA RIF's fundraising efforts is our biannual Book It For Books 5K/One-Mile Run. The most recent took place on an amazingly warm October morning, when runners, walkers, sponsors, and volunteers gathered in a celebration of books for children! There were Girl Scout teams, neighborhood teams, Girls on the Run teams, family teams, sponsor teams, and teams of teams, all running or walking together to raise funds to purchase books for 20,000 deserving children in the City of Alexandria and in Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties. Of course, mascot Clifford the Big Red Dog was there, along with balloons, lollipops, participation medals, and books for children. The photos tell the story.
If you are interested in helping, please click the donate button below. $4.00 buys a book for a child...less than a frothy coffee! (Not that we don't like frothy coffees!) Join us in an effort to make a difference in the NOVA community by providing the means for children to read. Books change lives. For the better. |
A full list of Book It For Books sponsors and donors can be found by clicking here. Thank you to everyone who helped to make the day an incredible success.
First, some special guests!
Dr. Ingrid Bynum, then principal of Patrick Henry K-8 (Alexandria), joined in to celebrate the day with Carmen De La Cruz Scales, principal of Carlin Springs Elementary (Arlington). Both schools receive books from RIF of NOVA and are wonderful partners in the effort to encourage children to read! Earlier this year, Dr. Bynum earned the title of Mrs. Virginia America 2023 with the platform of children's literacy and with the goal of providing (at least!) "one book for every child."
Principals Dr. Ingrid Bynam (l) and Carmen De La Cruz Scales
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The two principals are shown with two participants from the Carlin Springs Girls on the Run team.
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The One-Milers posed in advance of their start.
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And they were off!
The runners...
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The Carlin Springs ES Girls on the Run runners...
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And the One-Milers!
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Our mascot Clifford was everywhere, adding to the fun!
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And the winners...everyone who took part!
The top male and female winners each earned a gift certificate from PR Running, our race partner. The top girl and boy finishers won gift certificates donated by two special independent bookstores, Mahogany Books and Bards Alley Bookshop. Certificates were given out by race co-chairs Lisa Keathley (Waldo) and Justina Johnson (Angelina Ballerina).
First place male winner David Fahrenthold.
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Elizabeth Starrett won first place in the women's division.
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The top girl winners with their book gift cards.
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The top two boy winners.
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Crossing the finish line was a win!
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So much pride to earn a medal for running the race!
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Teeming with Teams!
Sponsor Teams...
Team Deloitte
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Team Old Dominion National Bank, with Ingrid Bynum, Mrs. Virginia America 2023
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Team Morgan Stanley / Emilio & Heather Sanchez
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Community Teams...
Girls and leaders from Girl Scout troop 52038 came with bells on to walk, run, and have fun!
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Team Jack and Jill, Northern Virginia Chapter, Intermediates Group
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Team Harris
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Family Teams...
Team DeBonis Family
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Team Confalone/Martin Family. Rich Confalone's Lucky Dog Film company has been a longstanding supporter.
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Team Grannie's Gang
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What it's all about -- books for kids!
Each participating child could choose a book to take home, courtesy of one of our sponsors, Bookworm Central. Bookworm donated two thousand dollars in books to distribute at the race and to the schools we serve. Another of our vendors, Books4School, supported us as a Paperback sponsor. Additional books were provided by children's author and board member Carylee Carrington and the Jack and Jill, Northern Virginia Chapter, Intermediates Group. So many great book choices!
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So many volunteers helped to make the day a success!
Dan Head, husband of NOVA RIF president Justina Johnson, headed out to mark the course so no one could get lost!
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Girls from the Junior Volunteer League of Oakton/Vienna held signs along the route to direct traffic!
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NOVA RIF Young Ambassador Avery Cañedo (left) played Clifford! What a rock star!
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Thanks to all from the Reading is Fundamental of Northern Virginia board!
