Celebrating Endless Possibilities this Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving approaching, I find myself reflecting on the year of tremendous impact we’ve had at Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and contemplating the many blessings in my life. And though I have an abundance of reasons to be thankful (including distributing millions of books to children nationwide this year), I am really focused on what comes next!  RIF has lofty aims ahead and, while the task ahead is challenging, I am more determined than ever to ensure that we reach any child, any time, anywhere with the power of reading. 

I am truly inspired by the path that we continue to forge. At RIF, we are not only dreaming of a world where every child has access to books and the opportunities reading can provide – we are actively paving the way to turn this vision into a reality. With each passing day, RIF is getting closer to our goal of putting a book in the hands of every child in the United States.  

Throughout 2024, the expansion of RIF’s programs has been nothing short of amazing. From urban centers to rural communities, we have seen a spark of joy in the eyes of children everywhere we have visited. But this progress isn’t limited solely to where we are reaching children; it’s also seen in how we are supporting them.  We are innovating every day and reaching children where they are with engaging tools and resources. 

In this modern era of rapid technological advancement, we find ourselves standing on the precipice of a reading revolution. Educational resources that were once fantasies – interactive digital platforms, responsive learning tools, easily accessible books in multiple formats and languages- are no longer just concepts. These are tangible solutions that are being integrated into RIF’s everyday work. Innovations like these will allow us to transcend boundaries, including resource limitations, while also tailoring reading experiences to students’ individual needs in ways we’ve never seen before.  

So, I encourage each member of the RIF community to take a moment to appreciate the progress we’ve made, the array of exciting possibilities that lie ahead, and the amazing network that supports us in our shared mission. Thank you to every educator, volunteer, parent, caregiver, and donor who has supported our mission as we work to establish strong literacy foundations for our nation’s young readers. We will harness this gratitude as a catalyst for continued action until every child reads. 

This Thanksgiving, all of us at RIF are grateful for the journey we're on, the progress we've made, and the exciting road ahead. With determination, innovation, and the support of our RIF family, we are writing a new chapter in children's literacy – one where every child, regardless of background or circumstance, has a book to call their own. And most importantly, let's give thanks for the abundance of potential that exists in every child!  

On behalf of Reading Is Fundamental and the children we serve, Happy Thanksgiving!