Ladies for Literacy Guild Newsletter - Summer 2020
Staying Connected Through Challenging Times
Dear Ladies Guild Members and Friends,
I have been thinking a lot about the word “connection” as it relates to these unusual times and, like many of you, missing the connection of familiar routines.
My late father was a Special Forces Green Beret who served three tours of duty in Vietnam. A POW, he came back from his last service a very different man than the one that left Fort Bragg on his first tour. Many years later when I was a teenager, my dad was able to share his experiences with me and what he clung to during those dark, dark days. It was, in short, connections to us that, despite the span of continents, kept us close.
Along with sending Polaroids and long letters, my mother recorded me reading my favorite childhood books to share with my dad. Decades later, he told me that hearing the voices of his three girls gave him the strength and hope he needed more than any other time in his life.
As we hope and pray for a brighter tomorrow, I am reminded that we have had tough days – yet we have survived them all. With resilience, grit, determination and creative focus, we have and will continue to look for a tomorrow where we can all feel safe to gather again, volunteer in our beloved schools and work in the community to advance the cause of literacy.
Until that time, I remain inspired by the optimism and creativity by our Guild members. With safety at the core of all our efforts, our visionary Power of Literacy Luncheon Co-Chairs Betty Hrncir and Sidney Faust are announcing that our signature event will be a virtual experience. Details on this exciting new format are forthcoming, but know that it will be an experience you won’t want to miss!
And speaking of exciting, I am deeply grateful to Maddy Endecott, daughter of Guild member Ginny Endecott, and Grant Mixon, two incredible teen voices in the literacy movement who are spearheading our first Curiosity Cruiser Teen Ambassador Program this summer.
In a few days, we will celebrate July 4th. In my childhood home it was such a special day, especially for my father, “Colonel Dave”, as he was affectionately called. Undoubtedly, this year’s celebration will look different than in years past, but it certainly doesn’t have to feel that way. I hope you and yours, no matter the distance, connect creatively, safely and with purpose on this American holiday that is a reminder of the bravery of heroes, those who celebrate and uphold freedom for all and people just like you who are committed to lives of service each and every day. With gratitude,
Trish
Trish Morille Guild President "Super-Power" of Literacy Event Thursday, October 22
Co-Chairs Sidney Faust and Betty Hrncir are transforming the annual Power of Literacy Luncheon into a virtual "literary fete" of our beloved Barbara Bush. The new "Super-Power" of Literacy event will include friends, family and those who knew Mrs. Bush best, with some added surprises! This is the signature event for the Ladies for Literacy Guild. It supports our literacy mission and enables us to carry forth Mrs. Bush’s legacy. In this challenging time, it is more important than ever that we support this event to ensure people can continue to be empowered through literacy. Here is the letter from the Co-Chairs.
2020 Ladies for Literacy Community Book Drive Collects 4000+ Books! What a champ! Our friend Clutch from the The 4000+ books collected during the 2020 Houston Rockets put on his face mask and Community Book Drive have been distributed to helped us unload boxes and boxes of books our charity partners New Hope Housing, Santa donated to the 2020 Community Book Drive. Maria Hostel and Mission of Yahweh for their children's libraries. It was a Drive By & Drop Off event over two days at Community Self Storage on Voss, and Kudos to Book Drive Chair Leah Stasney, who those who came by received Barbara Bush's was joined by BBHLF President Julie Baker Oatmeal Lace Cookie recipe, along with our Finck, Guild President Trish Morille, Executive heartfelt thanks! Committee members Carol Sawyer, Betty Hrncir, Book Drive Committee member Maya A special delivery of 850 books came from the Pomroy and Foundation staff. Houstonian Club, which once again this year collected books from members, earning our first We so appreciate all our donors and sponsors, "Corporate Point of Light" recognition. (See the Houston Rockets and Reliant Energy, for below.) giving children the gift of having their OWN books to read and love!
The Houstonian Club - Our Corporate Point of Light
Bravo to the Houstonian Club for organizing the collection of 850 books from Club members for the Guild’s 2020 Community Book Drive!
Our heartfelt thanks to Rachel Naff, Houstonian Club Social Events Coordinator, for overseeing the promotion, collection, and logistics of the Community Drive Book Drive at the Club. We are also grateful to General Manager Cher Harris for the continuing support of the Houstonian Club since our very first Community Book Drive. They have been amazing Corporate Partners in every way!
And of course the Houstonian Club Book Drive would not have been possible without the generous support and community spirit of the members, who support our literacy efforts year after year.
Pictured: Carol & Tom Sawyer and Betty & John Hrncir with Rachel Naff as they transported the books from the Houstonian Club to the drop-off.
The Excitement of a Home Library
Nearly 300 students at the Yellowstone Academy are building their very own libraries!
The students each selected 6 books as part of the "My Home Library" program for Pre-K through 5th grade. A total of over 1700 books were distributed to very happy girls and boys.
The Grants Committee of the Ladies for Literacy Guild is supporting "My Home Library", which enables students to go online and build a wish list of books.
Students made their selections prior to schools closing due to the COVID-19 outbreak and they were delighted when they finally received their books.
Yellowstone Academy has expressed deep appreciation to the Guild for our support, and we were more than happy to help! #We Read - Even at the Beach!
It was just a day at the beach, but it had quite an impact on a small boy.
Lisa Jakel brought one of her favorite children's books - Hermit Crab's New House by Eric Carle - on a beach getaway, recorded herself reading and then gifted the book to a boy she met. Little Fulton was thrilled and immediately curled up with his Dad to listen to the Hermit Crab's journey.
Reading aloud can have a huge impact on children's reading comprehension. That's the goal behind "We Read", the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation's Read Aloud program.
So far more than 125 readers have submitted #WeRead videos which you can find here.
Here is how YOU can read aloud to a child:
Watch Community Projects Co-Chair Cindy Puryear provide Read Aloud tips in this awesome video:
Pick your favorite children’s book. We recommend choosing a book between 5-7 minutes long.
In Landscape Mode on your smart phone, record yourself reading. Remember to hold the book so that your viewers can see the pages. (This is something fun for your family to do together!)
From your mobile device, visit www.wetransfer.com to upload your video. It is not necessary to create a WeTransfer account.
Click ‘send a file’ to upload straight from your phone. Upload the file and send to Alexa Bode at [email protected]. For questions, please email Alexa.
Click here for tips on recording your virtual read aloud! Click here for a list of virtual read aloud titles.
Join "We Read" participants Carol Sawyer, Megan Hotze, Ginger Blanton, Rosie Damgaard, Ginny Endecott Guild President Trish Morille and many others in giving children a gift of reading that keeps on giving!
WATCH "READ ALOUDS"
Making a Difference
"Book Store Besties" a Big Success for River Oaks Bookstore!
Our very first "Book Store Besties" event, held at the River Oaks Bookstore at 3270 Westheimer, was a magnet for book lovers and loyal supporters of the Ladies for Literacy Guild.
Guild President-Elect Lisa Jakel says the two-day #ShopLocal event was designed to show our love and support of independent, family-owned bookstores, and more "Bookstore Besties" events are planned.
River Oaks Bookstore founder Jeanne Jard reports that more than 250 books ($3600 worth!) were sold during the "Drop by & Pick Up" event. Guild volunteers Leah Stasney, Ginger Blanton, Diana Delaup, Trish Morille and Julie Baker Finck tied bows on our new Ladies for Literacy coffee mugs, wore their Guild aprons proudly and brought packages of book purchases to cars.
Lisa Jakel is thrilled with the result: "Thanks to many of you, our Bookstore Besties event brought ROB not only economic joy and relief, but also the kind and gentle support that only our Ladies for Literacy and the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation can bring!"
Jeanne Jard agrees, " The Guild is spreading the word, not just for local bookstores, but for literacy programs which put books in the hands of young people!"
[Pictured L-R: Executive Committee members Lisa Jakel, Ginger Blanton and Guild President Trish Morille.]
Betty Hrncir - Our Literacy Point of Light
Betty Hrncir has been a driving force behind the Ladies for Literacy Guild since she co-founded it five years ago.
Her famous neighbors Barbara Bush and Neil Bush provided the impetus. Betty was involved for many years with "A Celebration of Reading", and when Neil asked her to help the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation create a volunteer organization to support its mission, she immediately said "YES!".
Betty served as Ladies for Literacy Guild President for the first two years, helping to guide and grow the organization from the ground up. She has served in many roles, and is co-chairing the Guild's premier fund-raising event "Power of Literacy" on October 22nd.
A former teacher, Betty has always been passionate about early childhood reading programs. In fact, she quips, "Children's books are like jewelry to me!" Learn more about this beautiful and dynamic champion for children in our Literacy Point of Light Q and A right here.
A Celebration of Reading Tuesday, October 6
Join best- selling authors on Tuesday, October 6th as we celebrate the 26th anniversary of "A Celebration of Reading".
Once again Neil and Maria Bush will chair this exciting event, featuring such renowned authors as Jean Becker whose Pearls of Wisdom captures the wit and thoughtfulness of First Lady Barbara Bush, and H.W. Brands, author of Dreams of El Dorado.
Several exciting surprise guest appearances are being planned so stand by for more details!
First Ladies' Book Club with Author Katherine Center
Houston author Katherine Center has an engaging, mega-watt personality - which even transcends technology during a Zoom group chat.
Nearly 70 Ladies for Literacy Guild members tuned in for a virtual First Ladies' Book Club in May to hear the 5th generation Texan talk about her New York Times best-seller Things You Save in a Fire.
Katherine is the celebrated author of numerous books about family, romance and perseverance, including How To Walk Away, The Lost Husband, and What You Wish For.
Book Club Co-Chairs Stephanie Tsuru, Cindy Puryear, and Guild President Trish Morille led the Q & A with Katherine, who captivated listeners with her personal story of writing her first novel in 6th grade and then struggling for decades to get her books published. She said, "I finally found a "fairy godmother" literary agent who helped make things happen for me." We are so glad Katherine persevered! Pick up one of her novels and get swept away by romance and intrigue. Or watch the movie version of The Lost Husband starring Josh Duhamel.
Celebrate Christmas in July! Give a Guild Membership to a Friend
Life is more fun with friends...and so is volunteering!
Why not GIFT a membership (or two) to friends who would enjoy getting involved with you in supporting our literacy programs? For every new paid gift membership in July, you'll receive a special Ladies for Literacy coffee cup!
Membership Co-Chairs Ginny Endecott and Diane Gendel are excited about growing our Guild membership to 400 during the month of July. So far this year we have added 118 new members bringing our total to 364. Just 36 members away from our goal!
It's easy to join the Ladies for Literacy Guild. Just clickh ere! P.S. Betty Hrncir gifted Cindy Puryear with a membership a few years ago and Cindy is now one of our most valued volunteers! Pictured L-R: Membership Co-Chair Ginny Endecott, Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation President Julie Baker Finck and Membership Co-Chair Diane Gendel
Mark Your Calendars!
October 6,2020 A Celebration of Reading More details...
October 22,2020 "Super - Power of Literacy" Event More details...
December 9 - 10, 2020 Ladies for Literacy Guild Family Day of Service Big Awesome Book Sort
Social Media Spotlight
Members of the Communications Committee polished their social media skills during a Zoom meeting hosted by BBHLF's Alexa Bode and our fabulous summer intern Cristina Jordan. Be sure to "like" us on Facebook @Ladies4Literacy and on Instagram @LadiesforLiteracy and share with your friends. Here are just a few of our recent posts:
This photo appeared on our Instagram and Facebook pages on June 8 as we honored Barbara Bush on what would have been her 95th birthday.
Seen here blowing out candles at her fabulous Thanks to Guild Communications Committee 90th birthday party in Kennebunkport, Maine, member Megan Hotze, this full page ad Mrs. Bush used the occasion to raise funds for appeared in Houston Magazine's "Hope Issue" her beloved Barbara Bush Foundation for in June. Megan, who is highlighted as a Family Literacy. Each guest donated at least "Modern Mom" for her professional, personal $5,000 to her Barbara Bush Foundation for and community life, chose the Barbara Bush Family Literacy, helping the honoree raise Houston Literacy Foundation as one of her millions for literacy programs. favorite charity partners to be featured. Thanks Megan!
Let's Get Social We post several times a week on Facebook and Instagram. It's the best way to stay up to date on Ladies for Literacy Guild activities. Please be sure to "like" our pages and post your comments.
Facebook: Facebook.com/Ladies4Literacy Instagram: @LadiesforLiteracy
Helpful #Hashtags: #LadiesForLiteracy #BushHoustonLit #HTXReads #ReadAloud #PowerofLiteracy
We welcome your event photos! Please submit to:A [email protected]
* YOU CAN HELP US BY TRACKING YOUR VOLUNTEER HOURS
We encourage you to track the hours you spend volunteering for the Ladies for Literacy Guild. Ashley Monic recently led a Zoom training for 23 Guild members on how to use Connect4Literacy.org for volunteering and reporting your hours. You can watch the training video right here on You Tube. Reporting hours helps the Foundation receive credit for volunteer efforts. For assistance call Ashley Monic at 346.212.2310.
* YOU CAN DONATE TO BBHLF THROUGH AMAZON SMILE
Each purchase you make on Amazon can benefit the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. Just go to smile.amazon.com and choose BBHLF as your non-profit of choice. Amazon donates 0.5% of each purchase to your selected charity. Learn about Amazon Smile Donations here.
*YOU CAN CUSTOMIZE YOUR FAVORITE LAND'S END PRODUCT WITH OUR LOGO
It's easy! Just go to Land's End Logo Customization and follow the instructions to add our Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation logo to a polo shirt, jacket or other desired item. (Please note that anyone placing an order will deal directly with Lands’ End to pick size, logo location, payment, shipping and returns – the Foundation cannot assist with those requests.)
Our Mission Statement
The Ladies for Literacy Guild is a dynamic group of women committed to advancing Barbara Bush's legacy in literacy and supporting the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. The Foundation's mission is to improve lives through the power of literacy - the ability to read, write, speak clearly and think critically.
The Ladies for Literacy Guild leads many important literacy initiatives to foster a love of reading, as well as hosts several signature events for our Guild members. We invite you to join us and get involved!
It's easy to become a Ladies for Literacy Guild Member... just clickh ere.
Stay Connected with the Guild!