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Kids
to Kids
is a children's literacy project sponsored by Spread
the Word Nevada. Learn more about the staff
members that make Kids to Kids
such a success. Or click here to
read about some of our programs.
Public
libraries are essential centers of learning, but access to
books at the library is not enough. The ownership of books
is a critical factor in every child's intellectual development.
Young children who own books will read them over and over
again, memorizing the stories and learning to follow and identify
the words on each page. Kids
to Kids
puts books into the homes of youngsters and gives them the
opportunity to develop their own personal library collections
for use at home. These books are kept and treasured.
The
flagship program of Kids
to Kids
distributes books in elementary schools throughout Southern
Nevada (see a list of the participating schools in the sidebar,
right).
Learn
more about our programs and activities:
Cleaning Parties
Books
From Badges
Breakfast
With Books
Books
& Buddies
Read
some of the letters from our kids, and our community partners.
During
the initial distribution at an adopted school, all pre-kindergarten
through 5th grade students receive a canvas tote bag that
serves as a "safe-keeping" place for storing their book collections.
Five new or gently used books are selected at this kick-off
celebration, and then, once a month, one additional book is
selected to add to their libraries. If children tire of their
books, or outgrow them, they may trade them for other, more
appealing or appropriate, titles.

Kids
to Kids was named
"Outstanding Charity of the Year" for 2005 by The
Nevada Community Foundation. The Nevada Community Foundation
honored Kids
to Kids at its "Celebration of Giving"
event in October, 2005. To
be recognized by an organization of philanthropists is an
incredible affirmation that we're making a difference.

On
November 2, 2006, Kids
to Kids received the Governor's Points of
Light Award. The award recognizes organizations for their
dedication, commitment, and determination in promoting and
supporting volunteerism throughout the state. The
award is given by the Nevada Commission for National and Community
Service. Kids
to Kids won in the category of "Nonprofit
Agency/Service Organization."

Kids
to Kids
is proud to work with many generous community
partners and sponsors. Through these partnerships, books
get into the hands of the children who most need them.
Kids
to Kids
operates under Spread
the Word Nevada. The nonprofit corporation, as a whole,
is managed by dedicated and hard-working officers:
Laurie Hartig, Founder and Director of Programs
Lisa
Habighorst, Executive Director

The
program is governed by an experienced Board of Directors:
Officers:
Susan
J. Miller, Interim President & Chairman of the Board Chairman
of the Board
Key
State Corporate Management
Robert
Carroll, Treasurer
Director of Finance, The Howard Hughes Corporation
Irene
Lee, Secretary Children's Community Advocate
Boardmembers-at-Large:
David
Browning, Development Manager
Landtek LLC
Steve
Chartrand, President & CEO
Goodwill Industries of Southern Nevada
Ann Evans,
Sales Representative
Neiman Marcus
Jean
Frederick, District Manager
Majestic Foundation
Marilyn
Loop, Sales Representative
Pearson Prentice Hall
Terry
Murphy, President
Strategic Solutions
Kristin
Norton, Children's Community Advocate
Angela
Otto, Partner
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Scott
Roeben, Internet Marketing
Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
Spread the Word Nevada receives much needed experience and
support from its Honorary Board of Directors:
Thalia Dondero, Vice Chair, Board of Regents
Robert
Ferraro, Mayor of Boulder City
James Gibson, Mayor of Henderson
Oscar Goodman, Mayor of Las Vegas
Michael Montandon, Mayor of North Las Vegas
Bruce Woodbury, Clark County Commissioner
When Kids
to Kids
was established, little did we know that in addition to having
an impact on the lives of children at adopted schools, the
Kids
to Kids
program would touch literally tens of thousands of additional
lives:
the youngsters who give up their books to help others
the senior
citizens who come to depend on the social interaction enjoyed
while cleaning and repairing the books
the intellectually
challenged young adults who beam with pride over their jobs
as "book cleaners"
the scouts,
church groups, community organizations, school groups, and
junior and senior honor societies who plan and carry out
book drives and cleaning and sorting duties
the volunteers
who see the transformation in children's faces as they select
the very first book they can call "their own"
the police
officers who have children in high crime neighborhoods approach
them not in fear but in friendship to ask for books to take
home and keep
the parents
and siblings who celebrate the joy of reading or even learn
to read or speak English through the Kids
to Kids
home libraries and programs
You
can participate by donating the gently used books your family
no longer reads. Hold a book drive in your neighborhood or
through a local community organization. Become a volunteer,
or send a tax deductible donation.
Show
your support by downloading our official Kids
to Kids
desktop wallpaper. Find out more.
Contact
us to get involved!
Find
Out More About
Kids to Kids

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