Kids to Kids Literacy Project Expands to Whitney Elementary

Ritter Charitable Trust Makes Books a Reality for Students in North Las Vegas School

Apr. 3 , 2006 - On April 3, 2006, Kids to Kids expanded its program to include Whitney Elementary in North Las Vegas.

The expansion was due in large part to John Ritter and Hilary Westrom, through their Ritter Charitable Trust, administered by the Nevada Community Foundation. Because of their generosity, Kids to Kids now has an impact on the lives of an additional 700 children in North Las Vegas.

Whitney is Kids to Kids' twelfth partner school.

Kids to Kids founder Laurie Porter (below, right with a Whitney student) noted, "The goal of our program is to create keep-at-home libraries of books children can read over and over, share with family members, and treasure as their very own. These book collections make a real difference in the educational success of the children we serve.

"We cannot take Kids to Kids to a new school, however, unless we have the books and financial resources to fund the program and keep it going. Because of the generosity from The Ritter Charitable Trust we knew that we were ready to welcome these 700 children into Kids to Kids."

In the initial phase of the Kids to Kids program, each student is given a canvas tote bag and five books of the student's choice.

Each month, a new book is added to each child's personal library, and students can trade books with other kids in the program.

"We were very pleased to provide this funding to Kids to Kids, as we believe these book collections will be valuable tools in the children's academic success," says Hilary Westrom with the Ritter Charitable Trust.

Members of the Las Vegas Gladiator Goddesses were present to help share in the festivities at Whitney.

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