More than 16 years ago I was fortunate enough to be hired as Page Ahead's ED. In the years since, I have been able to meet so many great kids and the teachers that support them. I have learned more than I ever thought possible about brain development, the effects of poverty on literacy success, the limitless generosity of our community, and Dog Man.

Like almost everyone associated with Page Ahead, I am an avid reader. My brother is too, but I've learned since coming to Page Ahead that kids like us were lucky. We grew up receiving free school lunch at our rural school. And our access to books would definitely have been shut off in the summer, if it weren't for the dedication of our mom. She'd drive us more than an hour into 'town' so we could use the public library when school was out. Today I know that only about 1/3 of kids with our background read well enough to succeed at school.

I think about that a lot when I am visiting schools and helping students choose their books. I know my younger self would have LOVED to have a program like Page Ahead. All kids deserve great books of their own. And with our support--they can! Thank you!

Please join me at the luncheon on May 2 (either in person at the Four Seasons Seattle or by watching online), or consider making a gift now. Together, we can give EVERY kid the chance to read!