On July 9th Children's Primary Medical Group Children's Way(CPCMG) had a "Jazz for Literacy" fundraiser in order to support Reach Out and Read in their clinic. Jazz musician, Battista, played for 60 lucky ticket holders in the peaceful, garden patio of Andiamo! Ristorante. Tickets were presold for $15 and the restaurant donated appetizer platters.

In addition to presold tickets, there were $5 raffle tickets for sale. The raffle included prices such as: pet washes, gift certificates to local grocery stores, hair cuts, starbucks baskets, wine baskets, Padre tickets and golf tee times. This event raised over $2000, which all went to CPCMG Children's Way's ROR book budget.

Get prepared for the bi-annual progress report due at the end of August. This report requires January - June data, so start gathering your information now! When the progress report is submitted, on time, you will receive 1/2 of 25% of your Annual Book Budget!

These reports are crucial for ROR National to calculate sustainability funding for all 2,900+ sites and for continued Department of Education Federal funding to ROR National Center to cover start up and sustainability funding for all sites ($10 million FY06). The 6 month report also acknowledges what your clinic has done well, helps your clinic identify what needs improvement, and provides your clinic with statistics for funders.

A 6-month progress report is due after clinic has implemented ROR for 6 months. Funding is given after one full year (2 progress reports submitted). Reports are available each January and July; notice only emailed to primary mailing contact on file with ROR National. A paper report is available, but not recommended. Online report is simple and best for National. They calculate it takes 15-20 minutes to complete.

San Diego County Library (SDCL) to strengthen ties with Reach Out and Read (ROR) Clinics throughout San Diego. SDCL has identified several ROR clinics that will receive a consult meeting with SDCL staff. These meetings are to encourage more ROR clinic clients to connect with SDCL libraries and resources. ROR staff encourages clients to make libraries a family habit and gives clients a coupon to return to the closest SDCL Branch for a free book (address and contact info will be on the coupon) and a library card application for each member of the family.

San Diego County Library further intends to support the efforts of Reach Out and Read by:

• Identifying a ROR champion in each SDCL Branch to maintain contact between library and clinic
• Posting/Disbursing health-related information at Branches on behalf of ROR clinics
• Providing a 50-book browsing library of children's books in each partner clinic (bookplates identifiying as property of SDCL, to stay in the waiting room, but clinic not repsonsible for lost books)
• Providing and maintaining age-appropriate early literacy booklists (and brochure holder) for each waiting room
• Posting fliers and information in the waiting room about SDCL Branch children and family services
• Providing book-sharing training for all volunteers (county-wide) who read in waiting rooms
• SDCL Branch ROR Champion support for clinic events (i.e. booth at a Health Fair, story and library services presentation at the annual picnic, etc.)

First Book is pleased to announce two upcoming First Book National Book Bank distributions in New Orleans, Louisiana and Naples, Florida!

NEW ORLEANS: AVAILABLE ONLINE MONDAY, JULY 3
First Book is excited to announce Louisiana as the winner of the "Literacy & Justice for All" campaign! Nearly 10,000 votes were cast to determine which state would receive the next 50,000 books from a First Book National Book Bank distribution. We are sure the entire state of Louisiana thanks all of you who voted to support the children of their state. The books will be distributed from New Orleans on July 12th.
Even more exciting -- Random House Children's Books has generously matched the 50,000 books dedicated to the state of Louisiana with an ADDITIONAL 50,000 books to be distributed NATIONWIDE from New Orleans. These books will also be distributed in celebration of "Literacy & Justice for All!"
This distribution is open to ALL eligible programs nationwide, and ALL eligible programs in the State of Louisiana. The application for books to be distributed nationwide will be available online beginning at 12:00 noon Eastern Time on Monday, July 3rd. Books can also be SHIPPED to your program at a shipping and handling cost of $0.25 per book.

NAPLES: AVAILABLE ONLINE MONDAY, JULY 3

First Book is also pleased to announce a First Book National Book Bank distribution in Naples, Florida! Books are available for distribution thanks to a generous donation from Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. The application will be available online at 12:00 noon Eastern Time on Monday, July 3rd. These books are appropriate primarily for ages 4 to young adult, and can either be picked up in Naples, Florida on July 21st or shipped to your program at a shipping and handling cost of $0.25 per book.

TO COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FOR NEW ORLEANS AND/OR NAPLES:
Please keep in mind:
* You are only eligible to receive books from the First Book National Book Bank ONCE per calendar year.
* Books are granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Please apply early! The application will be available online until the number of requests has exceeded the number of available books.
* Completing an application does NOT guarantee that you will receive books for your program.
* In order to be eligible to receive books, your program must be a registered nonprofit organization with at least 80% of its children coming from low- income families, a Title I school, a First Book Advisory Board, or a specially designated government institution (The AAPCA3/SDROR Collaborative can help you with this if needed)
* If your application is accepted and you are selected to pick up books, you will receive the warehouse address, pickup time, and other information closer to the date of the distribution.