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February 23, 2022Local Book Fair Will Celebrate Reading to Support Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region
On Friday, March 4, from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M., the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, in partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region (RMHC-CR), will host a special event to celebrate the joy of reading and making a difference in the lives of families with sick children. Seven local authors will read and sign copies of their books as all in attendance learn more about the READ for RMHC-CR program.
READ for RMHC-CR is a unique, reading-based community service program originally developed in 2014 to empower school-aged readers to support the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities. Now in its 8th year, more than 100 area schools and libraries are signed on to participate in READ for RMHC-CR during the 2021-2022 school year. Approximately 65% of this year’s participants are set to read and raise funds during the month of March.
To kick off such an important month, the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza is pleased to present the first-ever READ for RMHC-CR Book Fair, featuring live readings and book signings with local children’s and young adult authors Michael Burns, Janine Cammarata, Jennifer Dugan, Emma Kress, Coleen Paratore, James Preller and E. L. Shen. At the Book Fair, RMHC-CR will also launch a brand-new component of the READ for RMHC-CR program – the Read and Raise Book Club – for teens and adults.
“We are thrilled to be working with the Book House and these amazing local authors to kick off the biggest month our READ for RMHC-CR program has ever seen,” said Nancy Damato, Read for RMHC-CR Program Coordinator. “Last year, 69 partner schools and libraries engaged in our program, and participants raised more than $218,000 to support the children and families we serve. This year, we have 65 partner schools and libraries signed up to read with us in March alone! On top of that, we are very excited to be able to welcome adult readers to join the fun with our brand new Read and Raise Book Club! We are extremely grateful to partners like the Book House for helping us expand our program in new and exciting ways.”
At the Book Fair, readers of all ages will learn how they can use their love of reading to help Ronald McDonald House Charities bring comfort, hope and love to families with sick children. For those unable to attend in person, the Book Fair will be streamed live on the RMHC-CR Facebook page. For more information, visit www.rmhcofalbany.org/read or contact Nancy Damato at (518) 438-2655.
