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.”
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
