"Thank you for the books! I am excited to read them this summer! You are kind." - Angelo, 2nd grader

Hello Friends!

As 2017 comes to a close, we wanted to share a note of updates, funding needs, and thanks.

2017 Highlights

Give a gift that keeps on giving!

Have you heard that before? But you really can give a gift that keeps giving at Start Reading Now.

For every $50 that you donate, one child in need gets to shop at our book fairs and pick out 10 brand new books. This may seem like a small thing to some of us, but 10 new books in a home that has minimal reading material is a big deal. Access to these books will not only encourage more reading – but these books allow our kids to practice and KEEP their hard-earned reading skills over summer break. We all know that reading is important, but Tommy dePaola sums up its lasting impact best,

“Reading is important, because if you can read, you can learn anything about everything and everything about anything.”

So if you’re looking for a unique gift for the person on your list who - "has everything" - "doesn't want anything" - "wants you to donate to charity in their name"? Give the gift of reading! We're a small organization so your contribution will make a huge difference. But the best part? Your donation will ensure that one more child has the opportunity to discover the magic of books – what could be better than that?

Thank you again for your interest, support and time in 2017. We appreciate all of you!

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Start Reading Now

(Lauren, Pam and Kevin!)

'Tis the season of gathering with friends and loved ones!

And to thank you for your support in helping us double in size each year, we’d love for you to join us at Cooper Pub on Weds, Nov 8 from 5 pm - 8 pm. 

You can RSVP and find more details under "Events" on our Facebook page. 

 2017 Book Fair volunteers at Seward Montessori 

“Happiness is not a feeling these kids get to feel often enough,” said Mr. May as we tried to calm his excited 1st graders after the book fair. As I smiled and nodded and he went back to shhh’ing his class, his words sunk in and weighed on my heart.

Giving out books in Minneapolis’ poorest schools, I saw glimpses of kids who definitely needed more happiness in their lives.  Day after day, I was humbled by the opportunity to provide even just a little bright spot in their day – in the form of 10 new books.

For any of you who have volunteered at our book fairs, you know what I’m talking about. The energy at the books fairs is almost a physical thing – you can feel it in the air and the kids exude positivity as they scan the shelves. 

Article originally published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune

By Shannon Prather  

On the eve of summer vacation, two Minneapolis management consultants will give away 40,000 new books to Minneapolis first- and second-grade students — no strings attached.

They're convinced that free books can be a simple and inexpensive fix to the thorny problem of kids from poor households losing more reading skills over the summer than their middle-class peers.

As usual, we are very grateful for our wonderful partnership with Minneapolis Public Schools. Since day one, our local school district has supported Start Reading Now's mission whole-heartedly. 

On June 1st and 2nd we served 2,000 Minneapolis Public School 1st graders at the 28 schools with at least 50% of kids on free or reduced lunch. 

Atomic Data has vaulted us into the big leagues with a $45,000 donation to our cause, thanks to CEO Jim Wolford and his team! 

The Richard M. Schulze Foundation awarded Start Reading Now $15,000, providing a great start to our fundraising for the 2016 program! We plan to serve at least 1,000 kids in Minneapolis in 2016, in grades 1, 2 and 3.

An interview with Start Reading Now Co-Founder Kevin Terrell on NorthStar Oasis local access TV, hosted by Jeff Williams. We cover the origins of the program, including how Pam kick-started it all, along with our successes to date and plans for the future. 

Start Reading Now is excited to have received $16,500 from 97.1 Cities 97, as part of their annual charity fundraiser.