19 Jul READ for RMHC-CR Program Wraps Up Record Year
Since its inception in 2014, the READ for RMHC-CR program, benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region, has raised more than $1,000,000 to support the needs of families with sick children. In its eighth year (2021-2022), the program exceeded all previous benchmarks, engaging nearly 3,000 young readers from more than 100 schools and libraries across the region and raising an impressive $331,590!
2021-2022 Program Statistics:
103
SCHOOL & LIBRARY PARTNERS
2,905
PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
$331,590
TOTAL FUNDS RAISED
READ for RMHC-CR is a unique, reading-based community service program that empowers readers of all ages to support the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities. The vast majority of program participants are elementary and middle school students, whose numbers have grown tremendously in recent years. During the 2021-2022 school year, a total of 2,905 students participated in READ for RMHC-CR – an increase of more than 900 readers from the year before – and their fundraising efforts exceeded results from 2020-2021 by more than 50 percent.
In addition to raising critical funds for programs like the Albany Ronald McDonald House, the Ronald McDonald Family Room and Hospitality Cart at the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Med, and the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat at Krantz Cottage in Lake George, READ for RMHC-CR fosters two important habits – reading and community service – that can benefit participants throughout their lives.
“It's a wonderful way to teach empathy and compassion to our youngsters while fostering a love for reading,” says Annette Landry, principal of Berne-Knox-Westerlo Elementary School.
“As educators, it is such a fulfilling feeling to promote reading combined with raising money for families who need support during difficult times,” explains Amy Urbaetis, teacher at St. Clements Regional Catholic School.
THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF OUR STORY!
“We were blown away by the response to this year’s READ for RMHC-CR program, and we are extremely grateful to our partner schools and libraries, our local business partners, and our participating readers and their families for the outpouring of support,” said Nancy Damato, Read for RMHC-CR Program Coordinator. “It’s wonderful to know how much our participants get out of the program, because what they put into it makes a tremendous difference in the lives of the children and families we serve.”
2021-2022 School & Library Partners
| A. W. Becker Elementary School Academy of the Holy Names Albany Academy for Girls Albany School of Humanities Altamont Elementary School Barkley Elementary School Bell Top Elementary School Berne-Knox-Westerlo Elementary School Blessed Sacrament School Blue Creek Elementary School Boulevard Elementary School Bradt Primary School Brown School Castleton Elementary School Catskill Elementary School Chango Elementary School Charlton Heights Elementary School Colonie Library Corinth Elementary School Duanesburg Elementary School Eagle Point Elementary School Edinburg Common School Elsmere Elementary School Farnsworth Middle School Fonda-Fultonville Elementary School Fonda-Fultonville Middle School Forts Ferry Elementary School Genet Elementary School Gilboa-Conesville Central School Glen-Worden Elementary School Glendaal Elementary School Gordon Creek Elementary School Henry Johnson Charter School Hoosic Valley Elementary School Hoosick Falls Central School Howe Elementary School |
Hudson Falls Kindergarten Center Hudson Falls Primary School Hudson Falls Intermediate School Ichabod Crane Primary School Jefferson Elementary School Karigon Elementary School Kingsborough Elementary School Lanesborough Elementary School Latham Ridge Elementary School Linden Avenue Middle School Malta Avenue Elementary School Marie Curie Institute Mater Christi School Mayfield Elementary School McNulty Academy Mechanicville Elementary School Menands School Middleburgh Elementary School Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School Moreau Elementary School Myer Elementary School New Scotland Elementary School North Warren Elementary School Northville Elementary School Okte Elementary School Orenda Elementary School Park Terrace Elementary School Pashley Elementary School Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary School Pine Bush Elementary School Pinewood Intermediate School Pleasant Avenue Elementary School Radez Elementary School Red Mill Elementary School Rensselaer Park Elementary School |
Riccardi Reads for Ronald Richfield Springs Elementary School Ryder Elementary School Sacandaga Elementary School SAEC BOCES Salem Central School Schalmont Middle School Schoharie Elementary School Schuylerville Elementary School Shatekon Elementary School Skano Elementary School South Kortright Central School St. Clements Regional Catholic School St. Jude the Apostle School St. Madeleine Sophie School St. Piux X School St. Thomas the Apostle School Stamford Central School CROP Stevens Elementary School Stillwater Elementary School Stuart M. Townsend Elementary School Tamarac Elementary School Tecler Elementary School Van Rensselaer Elementary School Van Schaick Grade School Warren Street Elementary School Waterford-Halfmoon Elementary School Watervliet Elementary School West Sand Lake Elementary School Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School Wood Road Elementary School Woodland Hill Montessori School Worcester Elementary School |
WHAT’S NEXT?
We are currently registering schools and libraries to READ for RMHC-CR during the 2022-2023 school year. Our program has also expanded to include participation options for adult readers, including the newly launched Read & Raise Book Club. For more information, please visit www.rmhcofalbany.org/read or contact Nancy Damato at (518) 438-2655.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2021-2022 BUSINESS PARTNERS
