PROGRAMS
BOOKS FOR KEEPS PROGRAM -- Each year, the RIF NOVA board raises funds to provide books to over 20,000 children at 30+ schools and sites in Northern Virginia. Those sites are listed below. Books are distributed to children at these sites at special book events throughout the year, often connected with holidays (such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, or Read Across America Day) or before holiday breaks. They are fun events, often with a theme or activities to encourage reading and make it fun. Click here to see photos from distributions so far this academic year!
DONATED BOOKS PROGRAM -- In addition, we collect and provide new and (very) gently used books to children in the schools we serve so they can have more than one book each year. We also provide books for community members like AFAC, Vecinos Unidos, Culmore Day, and more! See more about that by clicking here!
AUTHORS IN OUR SCHOOLS PROGRAM -- funded by an initial grant from author David Baldacci and his wife Michelle Baldacci. This multi-year program brings authors and illustrators and their books to several of our RIF NOVA participating schools. Click here for info about that!
In addition, special programming with corporate and other partners allows us to provide additional books for children in our community. These programs have included:
STEAM It Up! -- In partnership with Amazon and Amazon Web Services in Communities, this program was created to provide local students with age-appropriate books and STEAM activities. Four RIF NOVA schools were chosen to participate in the program's initial round: Cora Kelly, Drew, Groveton, and Marumsco Hills, with more to come in 2025. Read more about it here!
AES: BOOKS & BUDDING BUILDERS -- Energy company AES, headquartered in Arlington, is providing STEM-related books AND teaching children about sources of energy. At Hoffman-Boston Elementary School in 2023 and Barcroft Elementary School in 2024, AES volunteers led the children through a project to build wind turbines and another to show how solar energy is transmitted from a solar farm into home use. Said one child, "This is the best day of my life!" See more by clicking here!
DONATED BOOKS PROGRAM -- In addition, we collect and provide new and (very) gently used books to children in the schools we serve so they can have more than one book each year. We also provide books for community members like AFAC, Vecinos Unidos, Culmore Day, and more! See more about that by clicking here!
AUTHORS IN OUR SCHOOLS PROGRAM -- funded by an initial grant from author David Baldacci and his wife Michelle Baldacci. This multi-year program brings authors and illustrators and their books to several of our RIF NOVA participating schools. Click here for info about that!
In addition, special programming with corporate and other partners allows us to provide additional books for children in our community. These programs have included:
STEAM It Up! -- In partnership with Amazon and Amazon Web Services in Communities, this program was created to provide local students with age-appropriate books and STEAM activities. Four RIF NOVA schools were chosen to participate in the program's initial round: Cora Kelly, Drew, Groveton, and Marumsco Hills, with more to come in 2025. Read more about it here!
AES: BOOKS & BUDDING BUILDERS -- Energy company AES, headquartered in Arlington, is providing STEM-related books AND teaching children about sources of energy. At Hoffman-Boston Elementary School in 2023 and Barcroft Elementary School in 2024, AES volunteers led the children through a project to build wind turbines and another to show how solar energy is transmitted from a solar farm into home use. Said one child, "This is the best day of my life!" See more by clicking here!