books change lives!
As RIF of NOVA continues its second half century in the Northern Virginia area in 2024, we celebrate the FACT that reading matters! For 50 years, we have been providing books to deserving children in our community -- the City of Alexandria and Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties. During that time, we have given hundreds of thousands books to children who need them the most. And we hope to continue for 50 more...as long as there are children in our region who have few -- to even no -- books of their own. The impact on literacy rates has been particularly acute due to the pandemic, dropping to levels not seen for 30 years. While this news is discouraging, RIF of NOVA is committed to reversing this trend. And with your help, we can make a difference!
According to a U.S. Department of Education survey published on the Scholastic website, nearly two-thirds of low-income families they studied owned no books for their children. Does this matter? YES! The survey continues:
“The only behavior measure that correlates significantly with reading scores is the number of books in the home.”
According to a U.S. Department of Education survey published on the Scholastic website, nearly two-thirds of low-income families they studied owned no books for their children. Does this matter? YES! The survey continues:
“The only behavior measure that correlates significantly with reading scores is the number of books in the home.”
Can ONE book change a life? The answer is a resounding YES!
Dr. Ingrid Bynum, principal of Patrick Henry K-8 School in Alexandria, knows the difference that ONE book can make. A RIF book when she was in elementary school changed her life and put her on a path to academic and career success, as she describes in a video found by scrolling further down on this page.
Honored as RIF of NOVA's first ever "Literacy Luminary" during our 50th Anniversary Golden Gala celebration in October 2022, Dr. Bynum has now earned the title of Mrs. Virginia America 2023! In that role, she is focusing her efforts on children's literacy as she travels throughout Virginia to promote books and reading...including at:
Honored as RIF of NOVA's first ever "Literacy Luminary" during our 50th Anniversary Golden Gala celebration in October 2022, Dr. Bynum has now earned the title of Mrs. Virginia America 2023! In that role, she is focusing her efforts on children's literacy as she travels throughout Virginia to promote books and reading...including at:
Book It For Books!
Book It For Books 5K/One-Mile Race and Fun Run is RIF of NOVA's biannual fund- and fun-raiser! It took place on October 28, 2023 at Bluemont Park in Arlington. It was such a grand day for running, walking, and supporting children's literacy, thanks to our many sponsors, participants, and volunteers. A full list of our sponsors and donors can be found by clicking here. A full race day pictorial can be found by clicking here! Thank you to everyone who helped to make Book It a grand success!
Mrs. Virginia 2023 (aka Dr. Ingrid Bynum) and Clifford (aka NOVA RIF Young Ambassador Avery Cañdo) were highlights of the day!
|
And they were off!
|
At $4 per book, you can give a child in our Northern Virginia community not only a book but a better chance at reading and academic success! The children's faces below show the joy they feel when they have chosen a forever book to take home!
|
|
|
|
|
As noted above, Dr. Ingrid Bynum knows the difference that ONE book can make. As she explains, a RIF book when she was in elementary school changed her life and put her on a path to academic and career success.
|
Click on the video below to see pics of our favorite RIF of NOVA book activity -- putting books into the hands of deserving children -- along with scenes from our biannual Book It For Books 5K to raise funds to support our programming .
|
|
|
|
Your generous donations to the cause of literacy for children in our region will be most gratefully appreciated. If you'd like to help, click here or on the Donate box below or on any page to donate online. Or please send a check to the address listed below.
|
Reading is Fundamental of Northern Virginia, Inc. P.O. Box 7012 Arlington, VA 22207-0012 |
Check out our latest newsletter, the RIF RAP, to learn more about RIF of NOVA and the children we serve! To subscribe to the RIF RAP, please sign up here.
RIF of NOVA is committed -- through its actions in providing books to children in the Northern Virginia region -- to building a sustainable, equitable, inclusive, and resilient community.
"Reading is the key that opens doors to many good things in life. Reading shaped my dreams
and more reading helped me make my dreams come true." -- Ruth Bader Ginsburg
"Children should learn that reading is pleasure, not just something that teachers make you do in school."
-- Beverly Cleary