The Branford, Connecticut-based charity Read to Grow celebrates its 15th anniversary this month with a dinner event on Saturday, April 25.
Read to Grow, which works to foster early literacy primarily by donating books to families, educators, health care providers, and others says it has given away more than 1.25 million children's books since its founding in 2000.
In honor of its 15 years, the organization will recognize 15 individuals for their efforts on behalf of children and families in Connecticut at the event. Honorees include State Sen. Beth Bye, Connecticut Office of Early Childhood Commissioner Myra Jones-Taylor, and ten-year-old Chelsea Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald, a Wallingford elementary school student, has organized book drives to benefit Read to Grow. She collected 1,000 books for the organization last summer alone.
Read to Grow's 15-for-15 Evening of Celebration starts at 6:00 pm on Saturday, April 25 at Saint Clements Castle in Portland, Connecticut. Author Amy Bloom will be master of ceremonies for the evening, and State Sen. Ted Kennedy, Jr. will be the honorary chair. For more information, visit readtogrow.org.
