Reading Is Fundamental Celebrates The 2009 Gift of Reading Gala

June 4, 2009

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation's oldest and largest children and families' literacy nonprofit organization, hosted The Gift of Reading Gala to raise awareness of their mission and generate essential funds to enhance the quality and impact of their work in every U.S. state and territory. In total, RIF raised $430,000 from the gala on June 2, 2009 at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington D.C.

"Our annual Gift of Reading Gala is a way for Reading Is Fundamental to acknowledge those who have committed themselves to improving children's literacy throughout this country," commented Carol H. Rasco, CEO and President of Reading Is Fundamental. "RIF is pleased to honor Macy's with the Legacy of Literacy Award for their significant contributions to helping children experience the joys of reading."

Macy's was presented with the Legacy of Literacy award for their outstanding commitment to children's literacy. Through Macy's multiyear support and commitment to helping all children discover the joy of reading, RIF has been able to serve more children, provide more books, develop new initiatives, and improve the quality of books that children receive.

The gala brought together distinguished policymakers, as well as corporate and community leaders who shared RIF's vision of a literate America. Award-winning children's book author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds was Master of Ceremonies at the gala and Grammy Award-winning musician Terence Blanchard performed for those in attendance.

Other special guests in attendance included:

• Megan Beyer, journalist and commentator on the PBS talk show, To the Contrary
• Senator Roger Wicker, Mississippi
• Congressman Ruben Hinojosa, Texas
• Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia
• Congressman Anh "Joseph" Cao, Louisiana
• Congressman Chris Lee, New York
• Jack Remondi, Vice Chairman and CFO of Sallie Mae
• Martine Reardon, Executive Vice President of Macy's Corporate Marketing
• Anne Holton, First Lady of Virginia

RIF also honored its 2009 Anne Richardson Volunteer of the Year Award winners, Jalonda Smith of the Volunteer Center of Morgan County in Decatur, Ala.; Elrene "Elke" Davis of the Estill County Schools in Irvine, Ky.; and Barbara Sovereign of the Delta Lambda chapter (Monterey, Calif.) of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.

Source: Reading is Fundamental