The tally is in. The Radio Flyer campaign for Schools of Hope generated over 5,000 new and gently used books for the United Way program. Schools of Hope helps close the literacy gap in our Grand Rapids Public Schools by having over 1,000 local volunteers spend 30 minutes each week reading to 1st to 3rd grade students.
The statistics are staggering. The average suburban family in the US owns about 200 children's books at home. In the inner city, the average is one book! By the time the suburban kids are in 4th grade, they would have been read to 1,700
hours at home. The average inner city kid - 20 hours.
hours at home. The average inner city kid - 20 hours.
This is the compelling reason why the Superfriendz launched the book campaign to help fill the Schools of Hope libraries in the participating public schools. And a huge thanks to Radio Flyer for donating a dozen wagons to our campaign which became the symbol for the drive. The Superfriendz also want to thank the businesses that allowed our Radio Flyer wagons to be staged as collecting points during the summer campaign. The campaign wouldn't have been successful without their support. But most of all, these books wouldn't be possible without the generous donors in our community who took the time to drop off the books.
The Superfriendz also had fun while helping out. DJ Super Dre hosted a book drive during one of her big gigs at the Interection night club. Josh Depenbrok collected books during GRNow.com's 5th anniversary party at the JW Marriott. Gallery owner and Superfriendz advisor, Rich App, hosted several events in his gallery during the campaign. Ryan Slusarzyk got a call from MVP Sportsplex one morning informing him that he needed to do a pick up since the books were overflowing in the MVP lobby. Muse boutique featured the Radio Flyer wagon in the their window display.
The Heart of West Michigan United Way officially launches its 2010 campaign on September 10.
While the Superfrindz got a jump start with the Radio Flyer campaign this summer, we will need your help this Fall when we go into full swing. We have several goals - 1. Raise awareness of United Way through the social media platform. 2. Generate interest with the millennial and Gen X members of our community. 3. Get small businesses to get involved by starting a workplace campaign. 4. Host a big event in November to raise funds and awareness. 5. Help the United Way generate an additional $ 1,000,000. for this year's campaign.
Again, thank you to the following businesses for their support of United Way:
Richard App Gallery
Billy's in Eastown
Eastern Floral
Eastern Floral
Muse Boutique
Pooh's Corner bookstore
Kava House
Traverse City Pie Company
Biggby Coffee
Imperial Computer Solutions inside Meijer stores
MVP Sportsplex
654 Croswell
Stella and Dot Jewelry Shows
Ionia street businesses
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