It’s been a little over a week since Read-A-Palooza 2019: Join Team Read, and we just wanted to take another opportunity to publicly thank those who made it all possible! This year’s event was our most successful yet and we are extremely grateful for the opportunity to bring community members together in support of Read Aloud West Virginia.
Read-A-Palooza is the only fundraising event we host each year and is vital to Read Aloud’s financial sustainability. With the support of our sponsors, donors, and supporters, we were able to meet our Read-A-Palooza fundraising goal this year and ensure that Read Aloud can continue to keep books in the hands and on the minds of West Virginia children!
This year’s event focused on creating excitement for books and reading the same way our society does for sports. In his remarks, our special guest WVU Football Coach Neal Brown beautifully connected the importance of a strong reading foundation to athletic success. With at least three media outlets in attendance and multiple stories written about the event, we’re positive that excitement was generated. We’ve made new friendships, strengthened old ones, inspired new volunteers, and heard multiple times since the event that this was our best Read-A-Palooza to date.
A special thank you to Coach Neal Brown, Coleman Barnes, and West Virginia University; to Tony Caridi, children’s book author and MetroNews sports reporter; to The University of Charleston, UC President Marty Roth, Robert Elmore of the UC Vice President’s office, and Ray Singleton of the UC Department of Education; to David Hager Photography; and to all of sponsors and silent auction donors listed below!
Signature Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
William Maxwell Davis
The Becker Family
Bronze Sponsors
Chris & Amy Panzarella
Friends of Read-A-Palooza
Juli Hatcher Mock – JH Records
Silent Auction Donors
Andrew Adkins
Base Camp Printing
Berry Hills Country Club
Bob & Tina Pepper
Bricks & Barrels
Budget Tapes & Records
Canaan Valley Resort
Capon Springs & Farms
Carnegie Hall
Cathedral Café/Southside Junction Tap House
Chef Paul Smith
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Embassy Suites
Erica Baumgrass
Fayette County Chamber of Commerce/Official Bridge Day
Read Aloud WV of Fayette County
Gallery B Studio
Gat Creek
Greenbrier Valley Theatre
Hawks Nest State Park
Jacke Venus
Jeff Fetty Designs
Kinship Goods
LaFayette Flats Lodging
Lucia Bishop
Mardi Gras Casino
Marshall University
Melissa Doty
Mountain Art Glass
Mountain Heritage Books
Noah’s Restaurant & Lounge
Pettit Jewelry
Pies & Pints-Fayetteville
River Expeditions Rafting & Kayaking
Ruth Ranson
Sara Busse
Secret Sandwich Society
Stephen & Jennie Fitzkee
The Blennerhassett Hotel
The Stache Ice Cream Shoppe
The Station Restaurant
Tony Caridi
Viki Heagy Books
West Virginia Book Company
Wisteria Gifts
Wisteria Gifts
WV Power
Yoga Power