From the Desk of the Director - Read Association of Saginaw County

Vol. 15, Issue 2/June 2015
Board of Directors
Steve Canole, Chair
Mary Goedert, Vice Chair
Karen Vasold, Secretary
Janet Hoffman, Treasurer
Janice Merriam, Immediate Past Chair
Carol R. Lechel, President
Peter Bagley
Trish Burns
Sherry Couture
Lindsay Eggers
David M. Hall, Ph.D.
Derrick Harge
Marisa Horak Belotti
Kimberly Johnson
Sheri Leaman-Case
Jeff McCulloch
Matt Peterson
Sue Smith
Herb Spence IV
READ Association of Saginaw County
100 S. Jefferson, Suite 401
Saginaw, Michigan 48607
Phone: (989) 755-8402
Fax: (989) 755-8404
Hours: T, W, Th. 9am-3pm
or by appointment
Director/President:
Carol Lechel
READinSaginaw@sbcglobal.net
Administrative Assistant:
Sara Larsen
READassoc@sbcglobal.net
Office Assistant:
Kathy Rogers
www.READinSaginaw.org
www.facebook.com/READinSaginaw
From the Desk
of the Director
We live in a
beautiful
world,
country, state and
community. Each of
YOU reading our
newsletter make our
world a better one!
Through your efforts
you have made a world of difference
to the READ organization with your
time, talents and treasures in so
many ways.
Our special event volunteers
make our community a better one by
helping children and families come
together and enjoy our annual Books
for Breakfast and Dear at the Zoo Drop Everything and READ
celebrations. These events bring
together children and families to
celebrate the importance of family
literacy. Mark your calendars and
plan to attend this year's DEAR at
the Zoo event on June 17.
Our Mission READ camp
volunteers help kids learn to love
that reading can be educational
everywhere we go, and so much
more fun in the great outdoors! We
are taking 20 third grade boys to Y
Camp Timbers in West Branch this
summer July 19-24 to experience all
the wonders of camp and two hours
of daily literacy instruction.
Our Office Work Bee volunteers
make our life so much easier with
mailings and large tasks that need to
get done. Many hands make light
work. We remain a strong respected
organization in this community
thanks to the hard work and
leadership of our Board of Directors.
Our donors give generously to fund
operational expenses and purchase
thousands of books to give to children
in the community, many who have
few to read at home. Our Endowment
donors are helping us make sure that
our program continues today and in
years to come.
AND of course the true essence of
our program are the volunteer
mentors, working with over 750
students this year in our 29 program
locations throughout Saginaw County.
YOU DO make a world of difference
in the life of your students.
ALL of YOU are a dedicated,
committed, compassionate and
amazing group of people. Thank
YOU for letting READ be a part of
YOUR world! We look forward to
your continued support. Enjoy the
coming summer months ....rest, relax
and READ!
Carol Lechel
Director
READ Drawing Contest - First Place
artwork by Henry, Fourth Grade,
Butman-Fish Library READ Center
BEE for Literacy
Congratulations to our
Mission READ Team who
participated at the Bee for
Literacy event this year sponsored by
Altrusa International of Saginaw and
Rotary Club of Saginaw. Our team
Derrick Harge, Herb Spence IV, and
Peter Bagley did an awesome job until
round seven with this word: Panglossian.
Other words included barrister lamprey,
hoisted, denunciation, atmospheric and
tutor. Thanks Peter, Derrick and Herb for
representing READ well in the
competition - all for a good cause! We
are excessively optimistic (Panglossian)
that the READ team will win this
competition in the future!
READ Endowment:
Today, Tomorrow and the Future
Your donation before November 30 to
the READ Endowment, administered by
the Saginaw Community Foundation, will
help our program continue for years to
come and help READ earn a drawing
entry in the Saginaw Community
Foundation Impact Challenge program.
For every $5000 raised, READ will earn one (1) entry into the
SCF drawing. A first place award of $15,000 will be awarded to
one agency for immediate use for operational purposes, and
$2500 to be placed in their endowment (total award $17,500). A
runner up award of $10,000 for operations and $2500 for
Endowment will also be given out by the Saginaw Community
Foundation in honor of their 30th anniversary. All donations to
the READ Endowment from December 1, 2014 to November 30,
2015 will count towards the drawing challenge. Please give today.
READ Summer Homework
READING at the Zoo
Looking for some fun reading related
activities this summer? The Children's Zoo
at Celebration Square is looking for
volunteers to read animal stories in the
Zoo amphitheater at 11:30 am or 1:30 pm
each day. Books are provided, or you may
bring your favorite. You may sign up for
one time slot or sign up for the same time
slot each week. If you are interested or
know someone who would love to read at
the zoo including responsible teenagers,
please call the Zoo at 759-1408 (press “0”
to get a receptionist) or email:
info@saginawzoo.com
This summer as you visit with family and
friends, please share all the reasons you support
the READ program. And during that conversation,
please ask that they join you IN supporting our
organization as a volunteer mentor next fall and
discover the adventure of READ mentoring! If
each volunteer recruits just one person, we can
double the number of students we serve. The
number one reason people volunteer is... they
were asked. Thanks for making the ask and
completing your summer homework. READ
applications and additional information are
available online at www.ReadinSaginaw.org or call
the office at 989-755-8402.
2 READ Association of Saginaw County________________________________________________________________
The READ Association of Saginaw County presents the 14th Annual
Drop Everything And Read
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square
1730 S. Washington, Saginaw
Admission to the Zoo includes all D.E.A.R. Literacy Activities:
10 am - 3 pm
Author & Book Signings 10 am - 3 pm
 Free book for every child
 Animal-themed booth activities and prizes
 Storytelling and amphitheater programs
 “Z to A” books for sale - a great
resource for your
local summer
adventures!
12 noon - Guest Author Reading:
Wayne L. Brillhart - Award winning
photographer and author of “The Deer with the
Purple Nose”, a delightful backyard bird adventure
featuring the author’s curious dogs, Rusty and
Purdy.
 WSGW Live Remote - 9am-noon 
with Art & Sue - sponsored by
Thomas Orthodontics PC
The READ Association of Saginaw County presents this event along with these community organizations
and business sponsors:
Barnes and Noble, Saginaw
Boy Scout Troop 342
CAN Council Great Lakes Bay Region
The Castle Museum
of Saginaw County History
Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square
Freezie’s Photo Booth
Greenhouse Books
Mid-Michigan Children’s Museum
Mid Michigan Waste Authority
Public Libraries of Saginaw
Covenant HealthCare Foundation’s
Reach Out and Read Program
Saginaw Community Foundation FORCE
Youth Advisory Committee
St. Mary’s of Michigan
Saginaw County Birth to 5 Program
Target
Thomas Orthodontics PC
Wildfire Credit Union
Special thanks for the generous support of the Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation, Saginaw Celebrates
Summer, sponsored in part by Hemlock Semiconductor Group and our Business Novel Sponsors:
The Dow Chemical Company and Means Industries Inc.
Event is held rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, event will be held at Mid-Michigan Children’s Museum, 315 W.
Genesee. Visit www.SaginawZoo.com or call the Zoo at 759-1408 for admission prices and directions. The READ
Association of Saginaw County is a local nonprofit organization whose mission is to help students improve their reading
skills and discover the joy of reading. For more information on READ call 989-755-8402 or visit our website:
www.READinSaginaw.org
A WORLD of THANKS
To our READ Volunteers
Our volunteers make a world of difference to
their students, their community and our world.
Over 150 volunteers attended our Volunteer
Appreciation Dinner held on May 14 at the Hellenic
Banquet Center and were treated to an evening of
delicious food, entertainment, student readers and
tables filled with raffle prize donations. We wish to
thank our generous businesses and organizations who
donated a prize to help celebrate the good works of
our literacy volunteer mentors. Please be sure to visit
our raffle prize donor businesses in the community.
Thank You 2015 Raffle Prize Donors
Abele Greenhouse and Garden Center
Absolute! Building Maintenance
Peter Bagley
Bancroft Coffee & Tea
Bancroft Wine & Martini Bar
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Boehler’s Greenhouse
Trish Burns
Carmike Fashion Square 10
Castle Museum of Saginaw County
Central Michigan University - Global
Campus in Saginaw
Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square
Cinema Hollywood
Culver’s
Downtown Saginaw Farmer’s Market
Lindsay Eggers
Faces Hairstyling Salon - Robin Young
Firehouse Soft Wash
Fralia’s
Frankenmuth River Place Shops
Garber Management Group
Gaudrea the Florist
Mary Goedert
Goodrich Quality 10 GDX
The Great Lakes Loons
Greenhouse Children’s Books
Hamilton Home Bakery
Harvey’s Grill & Bar
Healthplus of Michigan
The F.P. Horak Company
Horizons Conference Center
Jet’s Pizza
Kehres Health & Chiropractic
KFC Management Office
Kroger
Lamplighter Flower Shop
Sara Larsen
Sheri Leaman-Case
Carol Lechel
Letavis Cloth Vehicle Wash Enterprise Inc.
Little Caesar’s Pizza
The Loft
The Maple Grille LLC
Mary’s Creative Cakery
Jeff McCulloch
Meijer
Memory Lane Café
Jan Merriam
Midland Center for the Arts
Mid-Michigan Children’s Museum
Nuechterlein’s Jewelry
O’Connor’s Carpet One
Opperman’s Cork & Ale
Patisserie
PRIDE
Purple Sage Beads Jewelry & Glass Art
Quilted Cottage
Riverside Family Restaurant
Kathy Rogers
Saginaw Art Museum
Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra
Saginaw Choral Society
Saginaw County Parks and Recreation
Saginaw Spirit
Saginaw Valley State University
Sam’s Club
Elinor & Harold Saunders
The Savoy Grill
Spence Brothers
Spencer’s Route 46
Sue Smith
Tanger Outlet Center
Target
Team One Credit Union
Temple Theater
Tim Horton’s
United Way of Saginaw County
Uno Pizzeria & Grill
Wal-Mart Supercenter
Wescourt
Westside Decorating Center
Wildfire Credit Union
Wohlfeil’s Hardware & Tools
WSGW News Radio
4 READ Association of Saginaw County________________________________________________________________
READ Volunteers
Make a Difference
Personal written comments from teachers who work
every day with elementary school children BEST describe the
benefits, rewards and impact that the READ program offers to the
students in their respective schools and classrooms. Below are just a
few of the many staff evaluations received in the last few weeks:
THANKS 2014-15
Business Sponsors
Novel
“My student was always watching the clock on Tuesday
afternoon as she anticipated the arrival of her mentor.
They developed a very strong relationship which was
valuable and meaningful.”
“Keep coming to our school. Tuesday mornings are my favorite
when I walk through the library and see our students reading with
their READ volunteers. What a special learning environment.”
“My second grader can't wait for Thursday for the READ
program. He is excited to share with his mentor and even
offers now to read out loud in class.”
Book Collection
“My student enjoys the chance to talk about things he's reading
(even if he gets a little off topic sometimes). He sometimes mentions
things during the school day that he read the day before during his
READ session, and it's always in a positive way. His mentor is a
very positive role model.”
“It was a good experience all around. I could tell a definite
improvement in 2 of the students' reading abilities and a
slight improvement for the other student.”
“Since the selected students come from literature deficient homes,
they usually "hate" reading because they see it as something they
make you do at school. When the volunteers come in smiling,
friendly, and kind, students' attitudes change tremendously. Here are
just a few comments from my students:
Is my READ volunteer here yet?
My lady said I was doin' good!
Is today Wednesday?
Look at what my volunteer gave me.”
“The volunteers that worked with students in my classroom went
above and beyond to meet with my students. They took the time to
build relationships with my two students. The seeds of inspiration
that they have helped plant in these two students are priceless. They not
only cared about the students' reading habits and reading abilities, but
also they truly cared about the students. I am so thankful for the READ
program and for the volunteers who worked in my room this year. I truly
appreciate their hearts for my students!”
_______________________________________________________________________________________ June 2015 5
10 years of Books, Pancakes and Family Fun
Such a fun Saturday morning on March 7th celebrating our tenth annual Books for Breakfast
event. It was the perfect way to start the day with
children, family and friends celebrating national
reading month with pancakes and books. Many
thanks to all of our 275 attendees who donated 295
canned goods to help others enjoy a meal at a later
time. We especially want to thank our enthusiastic
volunteers, sponsors and the staff at Hidden Harvest
and the East Side Soup Kitchen for their welcoming
hospitality every year. READ Drawing Contest
winners were also awarded their prizes - see the
first place drawing on page 1.
Mark your calendars now to attend next year,
Saturday, March 5, 2016!
YOU Can Make an Impact
I/We would like to make a donation in support of the READ Association of Saginaw County. Amount Enclosed:
 General Donation  $25  $50  $100  Other $_________
OR
 READ Endowment - SCF Community Impact Challenge $_________
Donor Name(s): ______________________________________________________
Phone _______________________
(Please list name(s) as you would like to be acknowledged)
Address ____________________________________________ City ___________________ State ______ Zip ____________
Email _____________________________________________
This Gift is made:  In Memory of
 In Honor of
 In Celebration of ________________________________________
Person(s)/Occasion
Send Gift Acknowledgement to (if applicable): Name(s): _________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________ City ___________________ State ______ Zip ____________
Make general contributions payable to READ Association.
Make Endowment contributions payable to READ/SCF Endowment
Mail all contributions to: READ Association,
100 S. Jefferson Ave., Suite 401, Saginaw, MI 48607
You can make your donation using a credit card. To use PayPal click the “Donate” button on www.READinSaginaw.org (at
the bottom of our home page, or the top of the Support page); or call our office to pay by card (989) 755-8402.
6 READ Association of Saginaw County________________________________________________________________
Thanks for Sharing!
Special thanks to the following individuals and organizations who have contributed to the READ
Association during the period of February13, 2015 through May 26, 2015.
BOOKMARK CAMPAIGN
Ed & Mary Andrus
Emma Atwater
Thelma Bailey
M. Nancy Baxter
Francis Bentley
Marianne Bird
P. Blakeley
Joyce A. Callahan
William & Joyce Cannon
Steve Canole
Diane Chisholm
Mary E. Clark
Arwanda Conner
Anne Coursey
Zoetta Davis
Dick & Diane Ederer
Jody Farley
Clara Fehrman
Sharon M. Floyd
Mable Freeman
Carol & Jay Gardner
Bernadette Gariglio
Mary & Rick Goedert
Julie Goldman
Jerry & Gloria Groll
Luther Hale
Mr. & Mrs. David M. Hall
Kerry L. Hardy
Jenn Hatch
James J. & Donna J. Hayes
Nancy Haskin, DC
Joseph Heitkamp
Arlene Hoffman
Jennifer & David Jaffe
Mary K. James
Bob & Pat Johnson
in honor of Nell Mauck's 90th birthday
Michael & Sarah Jury
Sally Kemp
Jim & Sue Kessler
Ruth A. King
Jim & Pam Koski
in memory of Maybelle Brush
Joe & Lori Kruska
Mary Laich
Nancy M. Larner
Pauline Lawrence
Tom & Deana Leinberger
Miriam Light
Robert & Catherine Looby
Joe & Karen Magalski
Bill & Jean Matson
Mark & Karen McNish
Jan & Guy Merriam
MIAppraisals.com - Thomas Reinbold
Jean Anne Miller
Roberta Morey
Rick & Cindy Morley
Dale Myers
Bob & Sue Nash
William & Marsha Ostler
Paws to Read - Kaki Almirall
Matt & Mary Ann Peterson
Sally J. Pichiotino
Annette Preston
Jeanie Quinn
Alice L. Rex
Mrs. Janet L. Romanowski
Kathy & Jack Rogers
Stuart Rupke
Jean Schluckebier
Judith Smith
Matt & Amy Stedry
Jerome R. Such
Susan Szott
Elnora Taylor
Lillie M. Thomas
Margaret Versteeg
Alfred N. Vinson
Betty & Les Webb
Judith Westendorf
Dr. George E. Williams
Patricia A. Wilson
WNNCO
Jo Anne Yule
Susan A. Zelinko
GRANTS
Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation
CAMP
Lauren Flegenheimer Deisler
Fordney Club
SPECIAL EVENTS
Catholic Federal Credit Union
Wildfire Credit Union
ENDOWMENT
Barron & Eve Hirsch
Sylvia Reimus in memory of Kenneth Reimus
IN-KIND
B.C. Graphics
Hemmeter Elementary School
GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Altrusa International of Saginaw Foundation
in honor of Judge Terry Clark
Charlene Boland
Jack & Renae Goschke in celebration of our Veterans
Jimmy Greene
Barron & Eve Hirsch
Wayne Hoffman
Jim & Sue Kessler in memory of Jennings "Gus" Gavit
Pam Koski in memory of Norma McCullock
Joe & Kristan Madison in memory of Bobbie Outwater
Jeffrey Miller
Morley's Human Resource Team - Jeans Day
Rose M. Nickodemus in memory of Johanna Vargas
Ed & Kathy Oakes in memory of Robert Kessler
Piecemakers Quilt Guild
Janet Roekle
Thomas & Marcia Schmidt
in memory of Thomas Houlihan
Virginia Schuler in memory of Maybelle Brush
Robert E. Stark & Martin H. Stark Foundation Fund
In memory of Delmos Stevenson
Jerry & Carol Bates
Priscilla Bauman
Dale & Mary Keinath
Karen & Randy LeTourneau
Phil & Ginger Lisik
Elaine Slawinski
Pat Stoppleworth in memory of Pat Bender
Patricia A. Sowle
Ken & Peggy Sutter
Diane Thebolt in memory of Jackie Klein
UNITED WAY DESIGNATED DONATIONS
THANKS to these individuals who designated their
contributions to READ during the 2014-2015 United Way
Campaign. READ is grateful to all those who support the
United Way of Saginaw County.
Anonymous
Ms. Linda Babechenko
Cindy A. Beaudoin
Sharon L. Case
Michelle Doyle
Lindsay Eggers
Jo A. Ellsworth
Jonathon Gardey
Kristal Gingerich
Cindy L. Houghtaling
Richard P. King
William G. Koepke, Jr.
Kathleen A. Krumenaker
Celia A. Miller
Mary Patnode
Ashley H. Pockrandt
Anne Ritz
Mary G. Ruggles
Tracy A. Seyuin
Ken A. Spencer
Chris Tiderington
Monique L. Turner
Karen S. Vasold
Thomas and
Barbara Weadock
__________________________________________________________________________________________ May 2015
READ Association of Saginaw County
100 S. Jefferson, Suite 401
Saginaw, Michigan 48607
The READ Association of
Saginaw County is a 501 (c)(3)
non-profit organization whose
mission is to help students
improve their reading skills and
discover the joy of reading.
“Education is the
most powerful weapon
which you can use to
change the world.”
- Nelson Mandela
Upcoming READ Event:
D.E.A.R. at the Zoo-Drop Everything And Read:
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 10am-3pm
at the Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square
READ Association is a proud partner of Saginaw Celebrates Summer,
sponsored in part by Hemlock Semicondutor. For more summer fun visit
www.artsaginaw.org and click on the Saginaw Celebrates Summer logo.