Doug Wells
Webmaster
Posts: 2318
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Posted on: Feb. 29 2016,7:49 pm |
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This past summer, Will Hare (Orange Elks Grant Committee Chairman) asked if I’d be interested in writing an application for the ENF Impact Grant.  Will knows how passionate I am about reading, books and literacy and thought I could channel that passion into something great. I was honored AND inspired and agreed immediately. I wrote the first draft for The Reading Promise! in a couple of days and, with some much needed help from Will and others, had what turned out to be a winning application! Yep – the Orange Elks were awarded the full $10,000 ((queue fist pumping)).
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You might be asking, what is The Reading Promise! Well simply put, it’s a promise. We promise to get new and fascinating books into the hands of low-income, disadvantaged children in our community so that they, in turn, promise to read and cherish them.  The delivery mechanism for this will be in the form of a bi-annual book festival (targeting 4th grade OUSD Title 1 elementary schools) to be held at the Orange Public Library on a Sunday when the library is typically closed.  As our key partner in The Reading Promise! OPL has agreed to open their doors exclusively for this event.  Our vision is to create an atmosphere where books and reading are perceived as fun, creative, educational and inspiring. With the full run of the library we’ll be able to host things like; a Reading Theater, children-oriented performers/entertainers, free library card sign-up station, an area for kids to read books to therapy dogs and so, so much more.
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At it’s core The Reading Promise! believes that by placing a brand new book into the hands of a child who wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity to own one, will be like planting a seed…a seed that will blossom into a lifelong love of reading.  A book is a portable magic.  It gives us access to other worlds and people and adventure. It has the ability to transport our spirit and transform our minds. The Reading Promise! wants only to ensure that the children in our community have the opportunity to come along for the ride.
Join us, won’t you - at our pilot book festival on Sunday, May 15th from 1-4 pm at the main branch Orange Public Library. For more information, or if you are interested in volunteering the day of the event, please contact Trace Weatherford. (Email address is with this article in the Orange Peal)
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Have a great ! 
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