Rumson, NJ, January 24, 2012 – A special screening of Rio, the animated film, will be held at Clearview Cinemas in Red Bank on Saturday, February 25^th to benefit children in need.  Hosted by Bridge of Books, a non-profit organization that brings books to children who otherwise could not afford them or do not have access to them, this special event promises to be a good time for the entire family.

The fun-filled event will include free face painting, tattoos and goody bags, plus a ticket auction.  The morning will culminate with a special screening of the Rio which tells the story of Blu, a domesticated blue macaw who is taken to Rio de Janeiro and falls in love with Jewel, a free-spirited macaw, and together they have to escape from being smuggled by Nigel, a mean cockatoo. Festivities begin at 9:15 a.m. and donations of new and gently used children’s books are welcome at the event.

Date: Saturday, February 25
Time: Doors open at 9:15 a.m.  Film begins at 10 a.m.
Place: Clearview Cinemas, White Street in Red Bank
Advanced sales: $12.50 each OR 5 for $50 (every 5^th ticket free)
At the door: $15.00 each OR 5 for $60 (every 5^th ticket free)

Tickets are available only in advance: 1) at River Road Books in Fair Haven (759 River Road, Fair Haven); 2) by sending a check to “Bridge of Books” along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to P.O. Box 39, Rumson, NJ 07760; or 3) at www.bridgeofbooksfoundation.org.

The Bridge of Books Foundation was established in 2003 in New Jersey and is devoted to providing books to underprivileged and at-risk children, to support literacy and encourage a love of reading.  The organization’s name is derived from the belief that a book, like a bridge, captures children’s imaginations, taking them to new places, and through literacy, to new heights.

According to Abigail Daly, Founder and Executive Director, “I incorporated the New Jersey chapter of Bridge of Books after the original San Francisio-based home office closed.”   Ms. Daly, an attorney, had previously represented children and adults who were involuntarily committed to psychiatric hospitals, as well as advocating for children within the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services system.  She later left the practice of law to be at home with her children. “Bridge of Books provided a perfect vehicle for me to remain involved with at-risk children while pursuing my love of reading and teaching my children about giving back to the community.”

Many low-income families struggle with difficult choices, balancing the costs of healthcare, food and rent. Children’s books, and the enrichment they provide, are often considered an unaffordable luxury. Yet, according to Abigail, “The literacy skills garnered from exposure to books is vital to a child’s future success and economic stability.”

About Bridge of Books

Bridge of Books was originally founded in 2000 in San Francisco, and later incorporated as a registered 501c3 public charity in Rumson, New Jersey.  Bridge of Books, distributes books through an extensive network of more than 100 New Jersey agencies and organizations serving at-risk and underprivileged children like the New Jersey Youth Corps and New Jersey Reading Coaches.  It is run on a volunteer basis and has distributed more than 260,000 books throughout the state and benefited thousands of children.

CONTACT:

Abigail Daly
Bridge of Books Foundation
P.O. Box 39
Rumson, NJ 07760
732-291-4755
dalyf@comcast.net

Tasia Hammond (right) and her mom Cleopatra Hammond at the Jersey Explorers Children's Museum in East Orange.

Tasia Hammond, a ninth grader at the Cicely Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts in East Orange, is a voracious reader. Her favorite is manga, Japanese adventure comics.  She wants to be an animator when she graduates college.

Books have always been important to Tasia, the youngest of three. Her parents, both teachers, taught her to read when she was still a toddler and encouraged her get a library card when she was nine. But the first books the 14-year-old remembers actually owning came from Bridge of Books Foundation.

Tasia spotted a table of books on an after school visit to the Jersey Explorer Children’s Museum, across the street from her elementary school in East Orange.

“I said ‘are these books free?’” she laughed incredulously. “I took like seven books!”

The outgoing teenager returned almost every week, often bringing friends. She knocked on the door when it was closed. She had to explain to her mother how she acquired so many new volumes.

“She was like the Pied Piper of books,” Gary Patnosh, the energetic and teacherly co-director of the museum, said with evident pride.

Housed in a former library, the museum is designed and run by the NJ Youth Corps, a government-funded program that coaches at-risk people ages 16 to 25 to perform service projects. The NJ Youth Corps also helps with job training and education, among other things.

From left Jamir Giles, Joshad Vasaro and Isaiah Moore choose from an array of free books donated by Bridge of Books to the Jersey Explorer Children's Museum.

Visitors to the museum are funneled through a warren of rooms cleverly outfitted with actors, and period details to recreate an emotional moment from history. One is a church basement in Birmingham, Alabama during the civil rights struggle, which, visitors are told, is subsequently bombed. One is a hideout on the underground railway made pricklingly real with farming implements, actors dressed as runaway slaves and the yowls of tracking dogs in the distance.

The museum is also used as a venue for neighborhood events like First Friday, a monthly gathering for preteens.

Mr. Patnosh has received thousands of books from Bridge of Books over the past eight years. He displays them in the museum lobbies and encourages children to take them as they leave.

In return, volunteers from NJ Youth Corps help BoB by distributing books to community groups throughout the state.

Sahalii Isaac, Dijirare Young and Jalyn Bakers show of their new books donated by Bridge of Books to the Jersey Explorers Children's Museum in East Orange.

On one recent visit to the museum, Isaiah Moore, a bespectacled 12-year-old, seemed paralyzed by choice. He finally settled on a Star Wars novel, examining it minutely, then began to read it, still standing in the hallway.

“The books from here serve so many children throughout the community,” said East Orange Councilwoman Andrea McPhatter. “They really depend on them. When I tell you how far-reaching your efforts are, you’d really be surprised.”

Tasia explained what the program means to her:

“There are a lot of children whose parents can’t afford to get a book,” she said. “They are really missing out.  Books to me are like a chance for a kid to go on an adventure. You just go to faraway places. But it’s not only imagination. It is knowledge.”

This article was written by Kirsty Sucato, a freelance writer and BoB volunteer. Photos are courtesy of Mary Ann Rounseville.

Letter from Governor Christie — click to enlarge

Patty received this letter from the NJ Governor’s office congratulating her on being nominated for the NASCAR Foundation’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award! Don’t forget to vote for us and help us win the $100,000 prize.

If she wins, we will use this money to get many more books into the hands of New Jersey’s at-risk children and help foster the love of reading across the state!

Vote here http://www.nascar.com/award

(You can vote every 24 hours per email address.)

Bridge of Books founder, Tricia McCarthy, is a huge advocate for getting books into the hands of kids. She has a blog called The Giving Chronicles and in her latest post, she says:

“People are always surprised to hear two things: (1) many children in this country do not have adequate access to books; and (2) kids are thrilled to receive a book.  Both are true and really not all that surprising when you think about it.

When 1 in 6 children in our country are food insecure, do we really think those same children have adequate access to books?  They don’t.

Why wouldn’t a child be thrilled to receive a book?  Books are magical.  They take you to places you’ve never been and allow your imagination to run wild.”

Read the rest of her wonderful post at the link below:

http://www.givingchronicles.blogspot.com/

And don’t forget to vote everyday until Dec. 1st for Patty Aber and Bridge of Books! Help us win $100,000 from the NASCAR Foundation to support at-risk kids in New Jersey and beyond.

We are thrilled to announce that dedicated NASCAR fan and Bridge of Books volunteer, Patty Aber is a finalist for the NASCAR Foundation’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award.  Patty has selected Bridge of Books as her charity of choice to receive the $100,000 monetary award if she wins.  A vote for Patty is a vote for Bridge of Books and children’s literacy.

Help DRIVE children’s literacy and get us over the finish line by VOTING for Patty HERE!

Read the Patch.com Article about Patty & Bridge of Books

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our newly re-designed website.   This launch is the culmination of a months long process during which time we focused on how best to accomplish our mission and how to grow as an organization.  We think the rollout of our new vibrant and easy-to-navigate website is a giant step in the right direction.

Whether someone is looking to donate books, request books or volunteer, the site has been set up to provide all the information needed in a simple and straightforward manner.   Looking to host a book drive?  Just click on “Got Books” for step-by-step instructions.  Looking to request books for your agency?  Just click on “Need Books ?”and find out how to contact us.   Visitors can also learn more about our impact, history and news & events. We especially like the joyful pictures of children reading, because that is what we are all about — getting books into the hands of children who need them.

Stay informed by adding us to your favorites, and please sign up for our mailing list.   Vital for our growth, we can now accept financial donations online with a secure Pay Pal interface and your credit card of choice.

You can also “Like Us” on Facebook where we post our latest news regarding book donations and deliveries as well as events.  We especially like to share stories of how our donated books are transforming lives around the state.

We are ever so grateful to web designer, Cornelia Mazzan (Mazzan Design Group, LLC of Fair Haven, New Jersey) who worked with us for many months to bring our vision to colorful life.  You also may have noticed our new logo that Cornelia redesigned in keeping with the website’s eye-catching and streamlined look.

With the continued help of our supporters, the future of Bridge of Books looks as bright as our website.

Buzz, Woodie, and all the characters from Toy Story 3 enchanted about 150 children at our fourth annual movie fundraiser held on February 26th at Clearview Cinemas in Red Bank.  With the support of our premiere sponsor, Philip J. Bowers & Co., and River Road Books, which sold tickets, Bridge of Books raised over $1,800 while introducing many  new friends to our mission.  Special thanks to the Committee who helped plan this event, as well as the volunteers who helped to make the day so special for all!