Reach Out and Read partners with pediatricians and family physicians to intervene in children’s poor skill development and lack of readiness for school. Here are three local mothers doing their part and helping out.

Kathy DeLone and her daughter, Natalie, have worked together for years to promote literacy in Arkansas.

Kathy Vining DeLone, Reach Out and Read Arkansas Executive Director:

Developing the Reach Out and Read model in Arkansas was in harmony with my experiences and I accepted the Executive Director’s role in 2008. Dissemination of this model is especially critical in Arkansas, where the Department of Education estimates that 50 percent of children do not come to kindergarten with the developmental skills that they need to succeed; where 56 percent of adults read below 4th grade levels. I love being a part of building strong foundations in the home. I am passionate about time well spent with children.

For most of us, “home is where the heart is.” What a gift it is to become a parent, entrusted with the responsibility of loving, nurturing, and educating our children. As I think back on the environment my parents cultivated, my spin on this popular quote takes a twist…for I believe that “home is where the start is,” a start to laying a foundation for the love of learning. Through modeling, my parents placed a high value on reading. My mother spent times with me and my four siblings, early and often. I was taught by curiosity and creativity while being read to. At 85, my mom still reads to her 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

By reading and sharing books with our daughter Natalie at birth, we helped build in her a lifelong interest in reading. Her vocabulary, language, and speech developed early. Having been read to, her curiosity, creativity, and imagination blossomed. Because we read aloud to her, she developed a positive attitude for reading and is an avid reader today. She is very bright, named as a high school honors graduate followed by entry into Honors College at the University of Arkansas.

Since Natalie is 19, I miss the bonding time now the most. I miss the bedtime stories. This is a tough transition, but she needs this time to become all that God intends for her to be. Her dad and I miss her daily and pray constantly for her well-being. We pray for her to emerge a self-confident young woman with purpose and passion for life. It is time for her story to begin…

Event co-chairs Amber Richart and Tasha Ward encourage everyone to read books to and with their children.

Amber Richart, ROAR Board President and Co-Chair 2014 Rx for Success:

We have read to our three children from day one, and I have seen firsthand what early reading does for a child’s literacy and sense of family. That connection with a parent or caregiver is so important to young children, as well as boosting literacy rates later down the road. I want to make sure ALL children have this same opportunity. The library of 10 books given to children through their pediatric well-child visits may be the only new books they ever receive as a child.

As a pharmaceutical rep, I began using my marketing budget to supply board books to the pediatric clinics I called on (I included a sticker to promote my product). I wanted to use my budget to benefit the clinic and not just the staff. Dr. Chad Rodgers saw these books and immediately approached me about Reach Out and Read. Pregnant with my first child, I was excited to work with a group that helps put books in the hands of children.

Since joining Reach Out and Read, our family has now participated in this mission for over 10 years. Our library of children’s books is huge since I have children ages 4, 7 and 10. Part of our bedtime routine is to read. However our routine has changed a little now that they are older. The two older ones sometimes now take turn reading to the whole group and then my oldest will sneak upstairs and we let her read her own book for a few minutes before calling lights out! The reading routine has helped them improve on their reading, but more importantly to us, gives us that connected family time together.

Tasha Ward, ROAR Board Member and Co-Chair 2014 Rx for Success:

My motivation is knowing that I am helping advance children’s’ literacy and increasing the chances of children succeeding in school and beyond. Watching my girls grow up with opportunities that other children do not have helps to give me the added push to keep going and help spread the message of this worthy cause.

In lieu of gifts for our girls’ birthday parties, we ask our guests to bring gifts to support a charity. Literacy and hunger are two causes that are important to my husband, Wes, and I, so I googled “children’s literacy organizations” and found Reach Out and Read Arkansas. Violet collected over 80 books for ROAR-AR at her third birthday party and both girls collected over 100 last year at their joint party. I became involved because I thought it was a great concept, especially in Arkansas, where thanks to ARKids First more children have the opportunity to go to well-child doctor appointments and therefore, have the chance to receive books and start a home library. Literacy is so important and this is a great way to get that message to children, parents, and caregivers.

Being involved with ROAR-AR has given me the opportunity to discuss with my girls the importance of literacy. It also has provided the opportunity for my husband and I to teach our girls the importance of giving to others and that every little bit makes a difference. The girls have never complained about not opening presents at their birthday parties and as parents, that makes us proud because they are beginning to understand the importance of giving and paying it forward.

For more information or to support Reach Out and Read
Rx for Success Event - Raising funds for a healthier, more literate Arkansas
Thursday, September 11 | 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Next Level Events in Little Rock | Tickets $35 in advance, $40 at the door
ReachOutAndReadArkansas.org