Dear community partners, donors, and volunteers –
Some of the greatest literary masterpieces boast some of the most unexpected plot twists. The protagonist never senses what’s happening until they are brought face-to-face with untimely and often unsettling circumstances. We write to you today feeling a little bit like that protagonist, standing toe-to-toe with a formidable opponent. The impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) has left our community confused and a little anxious. But as with all good stories, the more difficult the obstacle the more triumphant the ending. We will get through this obstacle. It is a twist in our story that we certainly didn’t expect, but Spread the Word Nevada has never been afraid of a challenge.
With that said, all great warriors abide by the law (and the health code), and we would like to update you – our STWN family – on the steps that we are taking to address this challenge. We continue to monitor the situation closely and want to make clear that the safety and health of our STWN family is paramount to us. As such, STWN has implemented the following changes to our operations:
As of Friday, 3/13/2020 all school-based STWN programs (Breakfast/Snack Time with Books, and Books and Buddies) have been temporarily suspended until further notice per the guidelines and restrictions set forth by the Clark County School District and Nevada Governor’s office.
As of Monday, 3/16/2020 all volunteer activities and fingerprinting services were suspended until further notice per the guidelines set forth by the CDC, WHO, and SNHD. The suspended volunteer activities include:
- All book cleanings
- Private volunteer events
- Books & Buddies mentoring
- Breakfast/Snack Time with Books volunteering
- Amazon scanning and listing
As of Wednesday, 3/18/2020 the Spread the Word Nevada staff will be operating on a “work-from-home” basis per the direction of the Nevada Governor’s office. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us via email if you have questions or concerns. We are here for you!
While this has, and continues to be, a new challenge each day, please rest assured that we will resume our normal programming as soon as it is safe for our team and those we serve. We hope this letter serves as a beacon of hope in a dark time. With our friends, family, and community partners by our side, we will be victorious in our drive to take down this unwelcomed foe. And until we are allowed to wrap our arms around each and every one of you, we would like to offer you a few pieces of advice taken right from some of our favorite literary classics. Feel free to share these with your friends and family and encourage them to find peace and hope within the pages of a good book during this break.
With heartfelt wishes for good health and happy days ahead,
Lisa Habighorst
Executive Director
Spread the Word Nevada
