Junior League of Pelham Gives $9,000 Through Pelham Loves to Read Project; Money Split Between Town of Pelham Public Library and Pelham Education Foundation

April 22, 2008 PELHAM, NY The Junior League of Pelham’s fourth annual Pelham Loves to Read Project presented $9,000 to benefit the Town of Pelham Public Library and the Pelham Education Foundation at the League’s recent April 15 membership meeting. “Our project raised money and awareness for literacy in Pelham.  I know the money will be used for worthwhile reading initiatives at our library and in our elementary schools.” said Pelham Loves to Read Project Chair, Mary Beth Fisher.

Patricia Perito, Director, and John Lent, Vice President, Board of Trustees, accepted a check for $4,500 on behalf of the library. They plan to use the funds to purchase audio books (requested via recent survey to residents) to help make books accessible for people on the move (in cars and/or on foot).  Laura Sawyer, President, and Jeanne Radvany, President Elect, accepted a check for $4,500 on behalf of the Pelham Education Foundation. They designated these proceeds to be equally split among Pelham’s four elementary schools to enable the purchase of additions to their Guided Reading Leveled Library Collections.  “Many thanks to the Junior League, in particular Mary Beth Fisher and her committee, for raising so much money to help our schools as well as increasing overall awareness of the Foundation’s mission, which I am sure contributed to the wide community support we received in our recent annual campaign,” said Radvany.

The Pelham Loves to Read Project sold luminaries and custom tote bags to raise awareness and money for literacy in Pelham.  The project team sold 138 bags, 117 luminaries and cash donations totaling $7,759.62.  The Project also received an additional $1,240.38 from the Board of Directors of the Junior League of Pelham in order to reach a total of $9,000.00.

The project culminated with a literary event on February 14 at the library with children’s book illustrator and Pelham resident, Tom Murphy, reading from his recently released book “The Juggling Pug”.  Later that evening, the library and all four of Pelham’s elementary schools were lit up with the luminaries that were donated to the event.  The Junior League of Pelham worked closely with the library, the Pelham Education Foundation, and the PTA and principals of all four elementary schools.

Pelham Loves to Read Project Chair, Mary Beth Fisher, Pelham Education Foundation President, Laura Sawyer, and Pelham Education Foundation President Elect, Jeanne Radvany.

Mary Beth Fisher,  Town of Pelham Public Library Board of Trustees Vice President, John Lent, and Town of Pelham Public Library Director, Patricia Perito