Read Aloud WV

About Us

Mission
Read Aloud West Virginia helps to raise a state full of readers.

Programs

• Volunteer Readers: Read Aloud recruits and trains volunteers who visit classrooms, day-care centers and after-school programs to share their love of literature and knowledge by reading to children. Many schools designate Read Aloud coordinators to work with the organization to find volunteers for their classrooms. Read Aloud offers volunteers a short but helpful orientation to help them get started. Teachers consistently tell us that our trained readers are outstanding.
• Reading Roundup: Reading Roundup puts an age-appropriate paperback book, along with a library card application, Read Aloud pamphlet and a recommended reading list, in the hands of all children who register for kindergarten in Kanawha County. Students receive the packets at their schools during Spring Kindergarten Roundup Registration. The effort introduces students and their parents to the idea of Read Aloud and helps parents become aware of the importance of sharing the world of reading with their children. For some children, a book of their own is a gift they have never had before.
• Food for Thought: Food for Thought provides inexpensive new books to several elementary schools each year. The books sell for $1 each at a special book fair in January. The intention is that for the price of a snack, children who may never have had the opportunity to buy their own books, can begin to choose books for themselves and invest in it. Schools are chosen based on their proportion of low-income students, enrollment and specific need. Each school receives 10 copies of 50 titles. Schools reimburse Read Aloud for $250 to use towards next year's program to feed the minds of children in the county.

 

History
Read Aloud West Virginia was founded in 1987 by a group of Kanawha County parents. That year, they held a showing of a film by Read Aloud advocate Jim Trelease. Read Aloud West Virginia recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and was given a two-year Benedum grant to help counties around West Virginia start or expand their programs. See a more detailed timeline.

 

Read Aloud West Virginia Leaders

Mary K. Bond, executive director

Board of Directors, 2012-13

1. Emily Hopta, chairwoman

2. Catherine Eckley, vice chairwoman

3. Angi Hyre, treasurer

4. Adam Patnoe, secretary

5. Denise Arthur

6. Ilene Becket, book distribution

7. David Bishop

8. David Carriger

9. Elizabeth Damewood Gaucher
10. Frank McCullough, development chairman

11. Terri McDougal

12. Andy Malinoski

13. Beri-Belle Manjong

14. Dawn Miller, former chairwoman, board development chairwoman, web editor

15. Nikki Moses, newsletter editor

Advisory Board

Read Aloud also has a busy Advisory Board, former members of the Board of Directors who remain available to assist the organization and who oversee important programs:

Ricklin Brown

Ann Guidarini

Melanie Van Metre, book distribution

Gina Rugeley

Nate Testman

Katy White, community outreach