One of our long-time participants, Maya, held a fundraiser for her 10th birthday and raised a significant sum for ReadUP. Our thanks to Maya and her family, and to all of the people who supported Maya’s fundraising efforts.

We are so pleased and proud that a child who has benefited from our program will, through her gift, bring the joy of reading to other children.

We are so pleased to have received a very generous donation from the East York–Scarborough Reading Association. Thank you for your support! The funds will be used to buy new books for our programs. And best of luck with your 39th annual conference, “Reading for the love of it 2015” in February. We’re sure it’ll be a huge success, as always.

Maureen Kenny and Jim McDonald have generously donated to ReadUP to celebrate the marriage of Shannon Beddoe and Brendan Morrison. Our sincere thanks for your unflagging support, Jim and Maureen, and our best wishes to Shannon and Brendan as they begin their married life.

Sun Rises on East End Literacy Program TORONTO, October 20, 2014 – ReadUP Reading Clubs today announces that it has received charitable status and will hold its first major fundraising event on October 25, 2014 at Riverdale Hub.

The brainchild of children’s author and literacy teacher, Sheilah Currie, ReadUP began in 2005 as the Book Bag & Reading Club at Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre in the heart of Toronto’s Riverdale, Pocket and Leslieville neighbourhoods. The idea is to match kids up with books geared to their skill levels and help them to succeed at reading. That success breeds confidence and encourages more reading as children quickly move up from early readers to chapter books.

The East End of Toronto is home to many newcomer families and almost 40 percent of residents declare Cantonese, Vietnamese, Tagalog and European languages as their mother tongue. As a side benefit, many of the newcomer parents and caregivers who accompany children to ReadUP sessions improve their English reading skills alongside their charges.

The stepped reading program, enthusiastically administered by Currie and a group of volunteers, has expanded to five locations and, with a board of directors in place, is poised to grow to more East End sites. “I have had requests to bring ReadUP to more schools and to communities in Scarborough and other parts of the city,” said Currie, “but I can no longer do that all by myself. Thanks to a great board who pushed to make ReadUP a registered charity, plus a fantastic fundraising committee, we will be able to buy more books, train more volunteers and eventually hire a second manager for the program.”

Dress Up for ReadUP is a black and white themed event “with a little sparkle” that will include dancing, sweet and savoury foods, a cash bar, silent auction, raffles and more. The evening begins on October 25 at 8 p.m. at Riverdale Hub, located at 1326 Gerrard St. East. A limited number of tickets are available at $30 each through Brown Paper Tickets.

For more information about ReadUP Reading Clubs and this event, or to make a donation, please visit www.readup.ca and join on Facebook at Friends of ReadUP.

– 33 –

Media Contacts: Anna Camara – balen@sympatico.ca / 416-466-0927

Available on Request:
High-resolution photographs
Interviews with ReadUP founder, Sheilah Currie
Testimonials from parents and educators

Our thanks to the Kenny/McDonald family for their generous donation to mark the marriage of Lexi Chuba and Serena Hillman. Congratulations Lexi and Serena, and may you enjoy a long, happy life together.

We are pleased to announce that ReadUP is now a Registered Charity! This is the result of the hard work of some lawyerly angels, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for their help. Donations to ReadUP of more than $15 will now be issued a tax receipt.

Please join us on October 25th, 2014 to celebrate ReadUP and to raise funds to continue and expand ReadUP’s programs. Click on the flyer for more information and order tickets at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/827286

At the Eastview club this week, Sheilah was presented with an envelope from Daniel, who, in lieu of presents, took up a collection at his 8th birthday party—half for him, and half for ReadUP. This is the third time that a child has donated funds from a birthday party and we are touched. Thank you, Daniel. Thanks to your Mom, too, and to all the people who donated at your party. The funds will be put to good use in our clubs.

ReadUP has been selected by the Board of this wonderful organization to receive a generous grant that will help us to expand our programs. Thank you, Riverdale Share. You supported us years ago when we were the “Book Bag & Reading Club”, and your continued support will help us immeasurably. See you at your annual concert in December!