The Junior League of Richmond (JLR) and Dominion Virginia Power will welcome seven nationally-acclaimed authors to Richmond on Tuesday, May 1, for the 67th Book & Author Dinner.
The JLR Book & Author Dinner is the oldest event of its kind in the nation. All proceeds directly support JLR’s work to positively impact at-risk women, children, and families through volunteerism and developing the potential of women. The JLR is most grateful to Dominion, Presenting Signature sponsor, as well as to Troutman Sanders and the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Paul Duke sponsors, for their outstanding support of this event.
“We look forward to supporting the JLR’s commitment to helping families in crisis and being advocates for women,” said Virginia M. Board, president of The Dominion Foundation and managing director of community affairs for Dominion Resources, parent company of Dominion Virginia Power. “It is an honor to partner with JLR and these distinguished authors for such a worthy cause.”
Author Bob Deans will serve as Master of Ceremonies for this year’s panel featuring the following distinguished authors and their books along with publication dates:
- Wiley Cash – “A Land More Kind than Home” (4/17)
- Erin Duffy – “Bond Girl” (1/24)
- Margot Livesey – “The Flight of Gemma Hardy” (1/24)
- Alice Medrich – “Sinfully Easy Delicious Desserts” (5/1)
- Matthew Pearl – “The Technologists” (2/21)
- Sally Bedell Smith – “Elizabeth The Queen” (1/10)
- Adriana Trigiani – “The Shoemaker’s Wife” (4/24)
The event will take place at The Greater Richmond Convention Center, 300 N. 5th Street, Richmond, beginning at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. That evening, authors will speak about recently published books and his/her experiences as a writer. An autograph reception will immediately follow the dinner, with books available for purchase. A cash bar will also be available.
“For nearly a century, the Junior League of Richmond has initiated programs for children and families in need throughout Metro Richmond.” said Jennifer Pitts, President of the JLR. “Last year’s Book & Author Dinner raised more than $50,000 and we hope this year to exceed that goal in order to have a greater impact in the Richmond Community.”
Tickets and Information
Individual tickets are $70, and tables of 10 are available for the discounted rate of $650 until March 31, 2012. Patron level sponsor tickets are $85, which includes preferred dinner seating and recognition in the program. Friend level sponsor tickets are $135, which include a cocktail reception with the authors, preferred dinner seating and recognition in the event program. A limited number of non-dining cocktail seats will be available this year for $45 (preferred seating will go to dining guests). Tickets are also available for the Book & Author Luncheon on May 1 at the Country Club of Virginia, 6031 St. Andrews Lane, Richmond. Seating is limited at the luncheon, which will feature an extended book signing session and offer guests the opportunity to dine with visiting authors in a more intimate setting. Tickets are $50.
Fountain Bookstore, Inc. will assist with the advance sale of hard copy and electronic books written by the featured authors, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting JLR community programs. Galley copies of the featured books are also available for review by journalists. To purchase tickets and books, visit www.bookandauthordinner.org and click on 67th Book & Author Dinner.
Any questions regarding tickets may be directed to bookandauthor@jlrichmond.org or 804.643.4886, extension 33.
About The Junior League of Richmond and the Dominion Foundation
The Junior League of Richmond is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The Junior League of Richmond reaches out to women of all races, religions and national origins who demonstrate an interest in, and commitment to voluntarism.
The Dominion Foundation is dedicated to improving the physical, social and economic well being of the communities served by Dominion companies, including Dominion Virginia Power and Dominion North Carolina Power.
For more information about Dominion, visit the company’s website.
Can you help deliver books in July?
Get ready to help kids Read Aloud Virginia!
The “Read Aloud Virginia – Children’s Book Bank” is searching for volunteer drivers with cars or vans to help deliver books to summer school locations throughout Richmond during July. Each driver is asked to deliver books to one school on one day each week during the month. That’s just four (4) days all summer!
Some volunteers are working two (2) days per week during July and more drivers are needed.
If you or your children are searching for a great way to serve the community or earn awards for Scouts or other things, this is the perfect way to do it. It’s also the perfect opportunity to show young children how to help the community, and supports reading programs as a good example for kids and grandkids.
If you are interested, please contact:
Joanie Bache
Read Aloud Virginia
Children’s Book Bank of Virginia
804.627.2847
Make a difference by helping deliver books to children throughout the area.
Create a reading space that makes it fun to read.
Startling statistics are evidence that third grade reading is critical to a child’s education and future success. The significance of reading for young children cannot be under-estimated, and especially as they enter third grade.
Studies conducted by the Annie E. Casey Foundation have proven that children who are not proficient readers by the time they reach third grade are FOUR times less likely to graduate from high school by the age of 19! That is compared to children who read proficiently by 3rd grade.
The study spans three decades of research and one important finding is that 3rd grade is a pivotal point in a child’s education. This is the point when children start shifting from learning to read and really start reading in all areas of their lives. They must be able to apply all of the reading skills they have learned at this point.
Other startling statistics from the study include:
- 23% of children with lowest reading skills in 3rd grade (of the study groups) never graduated from high school or failed to finish on time.
- 33% of children with the lowest reading scores accounted for about 63% of all children who failed to graduate from high school — while only 4% of proficient readers did not graduate.
- Children living in poverty and not reading proficiently by 3rd grade are 3 times more likely to drop-out of school or fail to graduate than those who have never been in a poverty or poor-living situation. Children of poor families face even higher odds of not graduating if they cannot read well by 3rd grade.
Summer Break — NOT Reading Break!
This information is especially timely given summer break is looming around the corner, and studies have proven that in the summer, children lose a lot of what they learned in the previous year. Keeping children engaged in reading all summer is critical for ongoing success and to help them reach their full potential. Book clubs, libraries, local schools, and many other groups offer lots of reading opportunities over the summer. Check with your child’s school to find out what’s available and encourage reading in every way possible over the summer.
As parents and grandparents, we have a unique opportunity to influence reading skills — from the time a child is born. Many parents start reading to children even before they are born. Studies have shown that reading to infants routinely has a profound effect on their ability to read later in life and it encourages them with lifelong habits of reading.
Encourage Reading
There are many ways to encourage children to read. Some children may need more help than others.
- The University of Richmond offers summer reading programs for children from 4 years old through college age, and even for adults. Visit their website to see what they have to offer.
- Learning RX is an example of a program that is especially designed to help children overcome learning challenges, and that includes reading. College Nannies & Tutors also offer excellent services to help children excel in school.
- You can also make reading fun by creating a special reading space in your home, making it cheerful and comfortable. Surround the area with age-appropriate books and props that encourage reading. Invite friends over for a “reading party” where they share favorite books and enjoy special treats. Whatever it takes to engage your child in reading is worth the time and effort.
- Local public libraries offer lots of summer reading programs.
- Read Aloud Virginia is an excellent resource.
Reading is fun and it’s important to help children understand that it opens up a whole new world for them. This encourages them to read and when they see adults read, it also motivates them to read. Set a great example for your children this summer by reading with them. It’s an investment in their future!