Spring | 2016
THE BOOK REPORT N e w s a n d N o t e s a b o u t B o o k s f r o m B i r t h
Wrapping Up Ten Amazing Years! By Peter Abell, Executive Director
At the beginning of our 10th anniversary year, I read the poem “On Turning Ten” by Billy Collins at a meeting of our Board of Directors. It is a beautiful (maybe a little depressing) poem and the message I wished to convey was that as an organization, we are now grown-up. The one thing that was constantly reinforced as we spoke to hospitals, daycares, pediatric practices and programs for our society’s safety-net was that our program has been tightly woven into the fabric of parenting in Memphis. People know about it, they sign up for it, the use it and they like it. It was a wonderful and humbling lesson to learn that so many families count on Books from Birth to help them ensure there are high-quality books in their home. However, a new challenge became clear: How can we make sure we are around for another 10 years? As we were growing, we needed to prove that the program could work. Thankfully, Shelby County Schools has been tracking children from kindergarten through 4th grade and their results strongly conclude that Books form Birth makes a difference. Now that we are grown-up, we need to not only make sure every family has an opportunity to enroll, but that all of our communities are investing in this valued program as well. Through a methodical effort led by our Associate Director, Jamila Wicks, Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville and Shelby County Government have made significant financial contributions directly to offset the cost of books. We will continue to push all of the municipalities in the county to make these direct investments, involving their own residents when necessary. Throughout the year we have been visiting our most loyal supporters individually to welcome them into a special lifetime giving society, The Little Engine Circle. The members of that group have made contributions of at least $50,000 and are the lifeblood of Books from Birth. We are extremely grateful that they share our vision of a community that loves to read. We also started a club for graduating families, The Little Red Caboose Club. All parents are given the opportunity to participate and interest is rapidly growing. Both groups are listed in this newsletter. The most important thing I can do as our organization both reflects on ten wonderful years and prepares for the future, is to say thank you. Without your interest, involvement, support and guidance, this bold idea would have never left the ground. Thanks to you, at 10 years old, we are soaring.
10th Anniversary Carnival Bash Turning the page on 10 years of success By Mary Braddock
On Friday, April 1st, Books from Birth celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a Carnival Bash at the Propcellar. Over 200 people gathered to celebrate while dancing to the music of the Dantones, and enjoying carnival fare like pretzels, boozy milkshakes and BBQ Nachos from Simply Delicious. Some guests tried their hand at getting a great bottle of wine at the wine pull wall. Other guests played carnival games for an opportunity to win prizes, including a beautiful bracelet donated by Mednikow. Books from Birth board member, Alex Wharton, and wife, LaToya, pause for a photo at the Carnival Bash
It is with great pride that Books from Birth will now “turn the page” to the next chapter of our story and continue to promote kindergarten readiness and early childhood literacy in our County’s neighborhoods.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and his daughter, Kathleen - age 10, (center), with Tom and Katie Midgley and BFB Executive Director, Peter Abell, celebrating Books from Birth’s 10th Anniversary
You could even find the Books from Birth Executive Director, Peter Abell, adorned in a ringmaster coat and top hat! In short, adults played like children again surrounded by both laughter and friends. Of course, this celebration would not have been possible without the incredible support of our sponsors. The 10th Anniversary Carnival Bash raised over $70,000, the proceeds of which will help Books from Birth provide programs like the Imagination Library and Reach Out and Read across Shelby County to children from birth to age 5.
Special thanks to the following:
Friends strike a pose at the Carnival Bash with photo props
Honorary Chairs: Dina and Brad Martin Event Co-Chairs: Jenny Carter, Micki Martin Event Committee: Shelley Arthur, Anne Dunavant, Katherine Dobbs, Douglas Dunavant, Jennifer Estes, Bradley Fogelman, Kristy Gipson, Jennifer Hobson, Allison Smith, Misty Stamper, Jana Tayloe and Jenny Vergos
Carnival photographs courtesy of Lauren Turner
Community Spotlight
Germantown raises money for its “Every Kid” Campaign By Cindy Bennett
The City of Germantown recently kicked off an “Every Kid” Campaign to maximize enrollment in the Imagination Library program and to raise funds.
Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo (left) with Books from Birth Executive Director, Peter Abell (right) at the auction
On February 20, Germantown Community Library hosted a silent auction with over thirty items including paintings, home furnishings, handmade birdhouses, homemade fudge and more! Guests perused the items and enjoyed the music of violinist/ fiddler, Donna Wolf. Auction proceeds benefitted Books from Birth. A special thanks to Mayor Palazzolo, who welcomed the guests, Library Director, Daniel Page, and their fine staffs!
Most recently, on April 9th, Germantown Library hosted a quarterly graduation party for Germantown children who are turning 5 and graduating from Imagination Library. Parents learned about the Library’s exciting children’s programming and our honorees received a graduation certificate and the opportunity to register for their own library card. Graduates and their siblings also enjoyed refreshments, craft activities and were treated to a special reading time with Library Youth Services Associate, Amelia Simpson seen below.
The next month, on March 30th, Kroger bolstered the “Every Kid” Campaign with a very generous $5,000 donation announced at the newly renovated Germantown store. We are grateful to Kroger for embracing Books from Birth’s mission. Germantown Alderman Dave Klevan joined and Store Manager, Jerry Roach, his Kroger team and Books from Birth staff at the check presentation, which is pictured above.
St. Mary’s Community Fund Grant Generous grant awarded to Books from Birth
Books from Birth is honored to be one of this year’s recipients of a grant from the St. Mary’s Community Fund. The generous grant will be used to host dinner workshops for families to reinforce the importance of reading to their preschool children. Local educators, counselors and physicians will speak with parents. With the help of St. Mary’s Episcopal School’s students, children will participate in creative activities related to books from the Imagination Library collection. We are grateful for the support of the Community Fund, and we look forward to partnering with the students, faculty and staff of St. Mary’s Episcopal School on this exciting project.
Grant recipients with students of St. Mary’s Episcopal School
Little Engine Circle
Contributions that have helped Books from Birth climb to new heights Established in 2014, the Little Engine Circle honors donors, both individuals and groups, who have contributed $50,000 or more to Books from Birth. This distinguished group was inspired by the title character of The Little Engine that Could, which is the first book that Imagination Library participants receive in the mail. Like that famous little engine who braved a new route and worked to carry toys and food to the children on the other side of the mountain, this group of donors has helped Books from Birth blaze a trail for kindergarten readiness and carry quality literature to children in Shelby County. This year, we have been delighted to physically say “thank you� to many of our Little Engine Circle members.
Anonymous Foundations (2) Anonymous Individual BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation Church of the Holy Communion City of Memphis First Tennessee Foundation Gerber Taylor Hyde Family Foundations International Paper Foundation John D. Buckman Charitable Trust Junior League of Memphis The Klyce Family Nell Rainer Levy McGehee Family Foundation Plough Foundation Jocelyn and William Rudner The Schadt Foundation Shelby County Government Bonnie Vare Smith* UnitedHealthcare United Way of the Mid-South *Indicates Little Engine Circle designation given posthumously
BFB Executive Director, Peter Abell, and Board Chair, Peter Schutt, recognized the First Tennessee Foundation for their generous support in fall 2015
International Paper Foundation Executive Director, Deano Orr, (left) accepts Little Engine Circle recognition in spring 2016
Little Red Caboose
Families of graduates provide for the future of Books from Birth Books from Birth has seen a great response from families of BFB who want to pay it forward. By donating on behalf of their graduates, families can provide other children new, high-quality, age-appropriate books from the same program their child grew to love. Families that are a part of the Little Red Caboose Club receive an adorable car magnet, announcing both their participation in Books from Birth and that they have given back at the end of their journey. This month, we sat down with member, Margarita Sandino, to find out why she chose to pay it forward and join the Little Red Caboose Club. As the Director of Education for the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, she knows first hand the value of literacy and its connection with art, music and history. “Doing Books from Birth was something exciting ... It’s a really beautiful and generous program.” She explained that her daughter, Celeste, was born two months early, and it was extra special to receive something in the mail with her name on it that Margarita and husband, David, could bring up to the NICU and read together. Not suprisingly, Celeste, a graduate of BFB’s Imagination Library program, is an enthusiastic reader. Margarita mentioned that because Celeste knew books were coming her way at an early age she grew to be an avid reader, building her library one book at a time. “These books are classics,” Margarita stated, “these are the books that a lot of people all Margarita and David Sandino with daughter over America read to their kids.” (and BFB graduate) Celeste
Margarita and her family proudly display the Little Red Caboose Club magnet on their refrigerator. When people come over and ask about the magnet, they take the opportunity to tell their friends about Books from Birth and the Imagination Library. When asked why her family chose to donate to Books from Birth after Celeste turned five Margarita went on to say, “It is just a natural transition. You’ve gotten so much out of this and the next step is to give back. All of this came to your child, it’s time to give it to somebody else.”
Christina Adams and family Heather Averwater and family Katherine Baricos and family Jennifer Barnes and family Leslie Barnes and family Zorana Booker and family Tarra Bradford and family Brian Bruijn and family Brett Campfield and family Carol Cooper-Levy and family Bradley Crawford and family Fadi Daher and family Kristen Delaney and family Miriah Denbo and family Lauren Denney and family Christine Downey and family
Erica Edwards and family Ashanta Evans-Blackwell and family Rachel Faller and family Susan Foshee and family Ashley Garner and family Elizabeth Glasgow and family Donna Goings and family Deborah Harris and family Ann Henson and family Michelle Lehman and family Brigette Mahmood and family Larry McHatch and family Michael McKenna and family Michelle Midha and family Diana Mitrea and family
Gaylon Muhammad and family Jan Palmer and family Brandy Parker and family Richard Playford and family Lansdale Playford and family Andrew Rixon and family Mary Sayers and family Ashley Skinta and family Karen Stettler and family Susan Stewart and family Allie Tran and family Toya Venable-Rubin and family Amanda Waddell and family Stephanie A. Walls and family Lenox Warren and family
Thank you to our incredible supporters! All gifts listed were given between July 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015
Mrs. and Mrs. Elliot Abel Mr. and Mrs. Peter Abell Dr. Rebecca Anderson Anonymous (3) Mrs. Jennifer and Mr. James Barnes Mr. and Mrs. Bert Barnett Mr. and Mrs. Robert Batson Belz Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Rick Bennett Mr. and Mrs. William Bickers Ms. Nancy Bogatin Mr. and Mrs. Matt Bond Mr. and Mrs. John Bondurant Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bremer Mr. George Brown Mr. and Mrs. John Buford Mrs. Julianna Campbell Mr. Brett Campfield Mr. and Mrs. Frank Canady Mr. and Mrs. Mark Cary Mr. Daniel Case Mr. and Mrs. Eugene K. Cashman, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Mike Chambers Church Of The Holy Communion City Of Germantown Mr. Josh Clark Mr. and Mrs. Anderson Cobb Ms. Janice Compton Ms. Carol Cooper-Levy Bradley Crawford Ms. Blanche Deaderick DelBrocco & Associates Ms. Erin Dempsey Mr. and Mrs. Jason Denbo Mr. and Mrs. Greg Denzer Ms. Andra DeVincenzo Mr. Jed Dreifus Judy Drescher and Dave Lindstrom Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dudley Mr. Jeffrey Elzemeyer Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Engelberg Ms. Gloria Felsenthal Ms. Lisa Fitzgerald Ms. Carol Francisco Mr. Tal Frankfurt Friends of the Bartlett Public Library Mr. and Dr. John V. Gibson Mr. and Mrs. Art Gilliam Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gooch Mr. Geoffrey Goodin Mr. and Mrs. Jerold Graber Grace-St.Luke's Episcopal Church Ms. Brenda Grinder
Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Hackett Ms. Watson Brooks Hall Ms. Pat Hannah Dr. and Mrs. Henry Herrod Mr. and Mrs. William Nixon Ms. Katherine Hughes Hyde Family Foundation International Paper Foundation Mr. Jesse Johnson John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods' Second Mile Committee Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Jones Ms. Cate Joyce The Honorable Stan Joyner Ms. Charlene Kalb Mr. Seth Karol Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Kelsey Ms. Chris Kelyman Ms. Susan Kingston Mr. and Mrs. Roger Knox Ms. Kim Lasko Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lemmi Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Leon Mr. and Mrs. John Lewis Ms. Betty MacDougall Ms. Caroline MacQueen Ms. Katie Mallory Ms. Gloria Marchant Mr. Mack McCaul Ms. Carol McCaul Michael McKenna Mr. and Mrs. Phillip McNeill Ms. Whitney McNeill Medtronic Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Logan Meeks Ms. Michelle Midha Mr. and Mrs. Brent Mullins Mr. and Mrs. John Mutin Ms. Deborah Northcross Mr. and Mrs. Dan O'Brien Ms. Carleen O'Reilly Ms. Luann Optican Mr. and Mrs. Scott Palmer Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Parker Poplar Estates Garden Club Mr. and Mrs. Michael Prince Mrs. Mearl Purvis Mr. James Reid Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Richardson Mr. and Mrs. Neil Ringel Mr. Andrew Rixon Dr. and Mrs. Robert Ruch
Mrs. Diane Rudner Mr. and Mrs. Scott Schaefer Mr. and Mrs. Joe Scheuner Mr. and Mrs. Albert Shaw Shelby County Government Mrs. Judi Shellabarger Ms. Stephanie Simpson Mr. and Mrs. RD Singh Ms. Jennifer Sink Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Sklar Mr. and Mrs. Grayson Smith Ms. Deborah L. Smith Dr. and Mrs. Michael Smith Dr. Chapman Smith Mr. Harry Smith and Ms. Leslie Jones Ms. Paula Spence-Evans Mr. and Mrs.Richard Spore Ms. Sheri Spunt Mr. and Mrs. John Straton Mr. and Mrs. Carlton Sumner Mr. Raymond Tanner Ms. Angela Tate The Schadt Foundation Thomas W. Briggs Foundation Ms. Mary Todd Town of Collierville Mr. and Mrs. Corey Trotz Ms. Mary VanGieson Mr. Bob Vidulich and Ms. Diane Sachs Mr. and Mrs. David Visinsky Ms. Sally Walker Davies Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Wallace Mr. and Mrs. Ted Waxler Mr. and Mrs. Greg Weidenhoffer Mr. and Mrs. Jason Wicks Mrs. June Wilcox Mr and Mrs. Page Williamson Mr. and Mrs. Gary Wilson Ms. Linda Wimmer Mr. Chris Wood and Ms. Christa M. George Mr. and Mrs. David Zanca
*Gifts listed above were $100 or greater*
Honoraria
Peter Abell Family Brad and Mary Henry Thompson Cindy Bennett Barbara McCaull Carol McCaul Bodine School Leadership Team Josh Clark Nancy Bogatin Jocelyn Wurzburg Raymond Buring Deanna and Philip Kaminsky Julie Cason John and Dana Buford Stephanie and Reynolds Cheney Peter Turnbull and Viv Spicer Norah and Eden Clark Carol Cooper Levy Eleanor and Michael Crawley John and Dana Buford Andra DeVincenzo Daniel and Laurie Haddow Farmington Elementary Teachers Hillery and Edward Efkeman Liz Geno and Chatoya Hayden Josh Clark Amy and Donald Isham John and Dana Buford Douglas Kasselberg Chloe and Dan Poag Smith Mallory Ellison Bakelaar Kimberly Grantham Logan and Simone Meeks Lora Jobe and Lee McGarity Robert and Linda Newman Sklar
Sage, Waverly and Foster Michael McKenna Casey McNeill Roberta Anderson Katie Midgley Courtney and Brad Leon Mary Elise and Caroline O’Brien Lori O’Brien Preston Jelani Okoth Cate and Jane Joyce Linus & James O’Reilly Carleen O’Reilly Abigail E. Phillips Jeffrey Elzemeyer Nancy Richie Robert and Linda Newman Sklar Dr. Dawn Scott and Team at Pediatrics Consultants Ashley Harper Carol and Andrew Seamons Kenneth and Vivian Jones Dorothy Severson Regina Ross Linda Newman Sklar Bob and Ruth Archer Leighton and Carter Visinsky David and Kendall Visinsky Sally Wender Robert and Joanne Cohen Nancy Levinson Annie Zeanah Amanda Waddell
Memorial Gifts W.R. “Beau” Barnes, Jr. Leslie Barnes Rainer Combs Chris Wood and Christa George Gertrude Discher Carolyn Pinsel Polly Fontana and Billy Cary Mark and Laura Cary Audre Hyde Gatewood Stephanie Simpson Bold Names Indicate Honorees
Suzanne Ragsdale The Reading Life Book Club Bonnie V. Smith Dr. Chapman Smith Gracie Lou Stephens Gene and Mary Todd Green Lori Taylor DelBrocco & Associates Cecily Tipton David Tipton
Mark Your Calendars!
Saturday, September 17th 6th Annual Book It 5k Lace up your shoes and grab that sweatband. Meet us at 9 am on September 17th at the Church of the Holy Communion for a great race, benefiting Books from Birth and the Emmanuel Center. Runners (and walkers!) of all ages are welcome. There will also be a optional 200 meter dash beginning an hour after the start of the 5k for interested registrants age 4 to 16. Registration will be availible online this summer at bookit5k.racesonline.com
A wonderful fundraiser benefitting Books from Birth, and fun for middle school students, the Reindeer Rockout dances return for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. It is never to early to think about the holiday season! Registration opens at 10 am on Tuesday, November 1st. Mark your calendars for the following festive dances: 6th Grade - Sunday, November 27th at The University Club 7th Grade - Sunday, December 4th at The Racquet Club of Memphis 8th Grade - Sunday, December 4th at The University Club
Shelby County Books from Birth P. O. Box 17008 Memphis, TN 38138-0008
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
MEMPHIS, TN PERMIT NO. 533
Books from Birth is changing lives by promoting kindergarten readiness and strengthening family bonds in Shelby County. We greatly appreciate your support! www.booksfrombirth.org (901) 820-4501
Peter Schutt – Chair Carol Seamons - Vice-Chair Casey McNeill – Secretary Lisa Chow Mallory – Treasurer Dr. Becky Anderson Sarah Cowens Sally Walker Davies
Judy Drescher Cate Joyce John Lewis Katie Midgley Darlene Newman Mark O’Malley Mary Scheuner
Peter Abell - Executive Director Jamila Wicks - Associate Director Cindy Bennett - Development Officer Mary Braddock - Communications Manager Pat Hannah - Office Manager
Marlene Shaw Stephanie Simpson Gina Smith Jenny Mallery Vergos Alexander Wharton Dr. Jason Yaun