Boston
 Chapter

About Room to Read Chapters

Room to Read depends on our chapter leaders and chapter members to help us achieve our annual fundraising goal and to represent Room to Read. Our chapters are comprised of groups of individuals who have made a long-term volunteer commitment to promoting Room to Read within their networks and communities. The chapters organize annual fundraising events, introduce us to potential corporate, foundation and individual supporters and act as representatives for Room to Read within their area.

About the 
Boston
 Chapter

Facebook: Room to Read - Boston Chapter
Twitter: roomtoread_BOS
Email: boston@roomtoread.org

We are a dedicated team of volunteers working to help raise awareness and funds for Room to Read in the Greater Boston area. We believe that all children – no matter where they’re born – deserve access to books and the right to learn.

After a period of inactivity, the Boston Chapter was rejuvenated in 2008. We feel that Room to Read is the most efficient and action-oriented nonprofit addressing the issue of literacy and gender-equality in education in the developing world.

Currently, Wendy McAllister and Barb Heffner are serving as chapter leaders.

Meet the 
Boston
 Chapter Leaders

Barbara Heffner
Like many Room to Read volunteers, I'm a book person. I read Leaving Microsoft to Change the World in 2006 and knew this was the nonprofit for me. My life has been transformed by the gift of education and I want to share that opportunity.

I've spent most of my career in public relations, and co-founded CHEN PR in 1996. Currently, I spend most of my time volunteering for RtR.

Wendy McAllister
As a former teacher I believe that the most important part of an education are books. When I first heard John Wood speak about Room to Read and his journey, I knew I wanted to help. The work we do and what we bring to a child's life is unmeasurable and truly rewarding.

I have spent my career in marketing, fundraising and education.

Upcoming Events

We are currently in planning mode for 2012. Check back soon for an update.


Event Photos

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Past Events

Buy Barefoot Books to Benefit Room to Read!
(This promotion ended November 30, 2011.) Barefoot Books donated 50% of all sales made at a special link to Room to Read.

Boston Chapter Fall Fundraiser - For the Love of Literacy: International Night
November 15, 2011
This evening featured a wondeful presentation by Room to Read CEO Erin Ganju, international foods, a live auction, raffles and a heartwarming performance by the Boston Children's Chorus. Our thanks to Microsoft's New England R&D Center for graciously donating the space.

Room to Read Children's Adventure at Barefoot Books - October 28, 2011
In celebration of the Halloween season, Barefoot Books hosted our first-ever, child-focused event at its beautiful Concord Store. The evening featured a music and movement performance by Mister Vic, along with spooky monster and goblin tales, crafts and pottery painting. Barefoot Books is donating part of sales from that evening to Room to Read, along with 50% of sales at the following link through Nov. 30: http://tinyurl.com/RtRbarefoot

Boston Book Festival - October 15, 2011
For the first time, the Boston Chapter had a booth at the Boston Book Festival! We can thank the Republic of Tea for generously underwriting our booth. Visitors received tea samples and a copy of Zak the Yak with Books on His Back for a $10 donation. Kids loved getting their pictures taken with Zak!

Cocktails for Cambodia, September 15, 2011
$1 from each drink purchased and all proceeds from an event raffle were donated directly to Room to Read. This fundraiser was generously hosted by The Floating Rock Restaurant, Cambridge

Building the Future of Cambodia, One Child at a Time - May 12, 2011

Kall Kann, Room to Read’s Cambodia country director, joined us at Elephant Walk in Cambridge. He shared the story of his life before and after the Khmer Rouge and his groundbreaking work with Room to Read to ensure a better future for the next generation.

Spring Fundraiser at Joshua Tree - April 14, 2011

Joshua Tree provided free appetizers and a great venue. All proceeds from the cover and raffle items were donated directly to Room to Read. This spring fundraiser was hosted in collaboration with the Boston College CGSOM community.

Beers for Books is Back! - March 22, 2011 - 8 p.m.

We continued a month-long celebration of Women's History Month with a "Beers for Books" fundraiser at Tommy Doyle's in Cambridge (96 Winthrop St.). The bar donated $1 per drink purchased to Room to Read's Local Language Publishing Program. Under the program, $1 buys one book.

Please Join the "Give Me Five Campaign" for the Month of March 2011

In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8th, Room to Read’s Boston Chapter launched the “Give Me Five” campaign for the entire month of March.

Donating just $5 funds one week of a girl’s education under Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Program. Just $250 funds a full year of a girl’s education, transforming her life and that of her children. Visit our fundraising page and help girls rise to their potential.

November 5, 2010 - For the Love of Literacy Gala 

At this event, John Wood joined us to celebrate the organization's 10th anniversary year. The event was hosted by NECN's Billy Costa. The Seaport Hotel generously supported the event by providing food and beverages. Auction highlights included a Brady-signed Pats jersey, a stay at the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, a 45-bottle wine collection from BRIX Wine Shop, “Diner for a Day” and “Cooking with Costa” from NECN’s TV Diner, a football signed by Pats linebacker Jerod Mayo, jewelry, Red Sox box seats, Celtics tickets, vacation homes, and other great items.

September 10, 2010 - BRIX Wine Tasting to Benefit Room to Read 

This "Women and Wine Tasting" event at BRIX Wine Shop on Broad Street in the Financial District helped us to create our “wine cellar” auction item for the Fall "For the Love of Literacy" gala. The wine was selected by Carri Wroblewski of BRIX. Carri’s extensive knowledge of wine made the cellar a very special auction item.

July 22, 2010 - Cocktail Tasting to Benefit Room to Read 

BRIX Wine Shop hosted a delicious St-Germain cocktail tasting and is helping  us to create a “wine cellar” auction item for this fall’s Room to Read annual fundraiser. Attendees' donations from the event will be used to add bottles of wine to the “Room to Read Wine Cellar." The cellar of 48-50 bottles of wine will be selected by Carri Wroblewski of Brix. Carri’s extensive knowledge of wine will make the cellar a very special auction item for our fall gala.

 April 8, 2010 "Bigger than Carnegie, Faster than Starbucks"

John Wood shared lessons about building a global nonprofit at Harvard Business School. The presentation was followed by our first "Beers for Books" event that evening, with Tommy Doyle's Irish Pub (Cambridge) as our gracious sponsor. Billy Costa (NECN and Kiss 108) and Jenny Johnson (NECN's TV Diner) were our special hosts!

November 5, 2009 "An Evening with John Wood"

Our goal for this event, held at the Harvard Club, was to raise the bar from our initial fundraiser last year. In addition to giving an update on Room to Read, John Wood highlighted a number of projects in the Boston area, including the wonderful work being done at the John Eliot School in Needham. Here's the Boston Globe story on that project, as well as another great article. He also introduced a young woman from Providence who has dedicated her Bat Mitzvah to Room to Read fundraising (rather than asking for gifts) and Jeremy Haber, who is building a school in Nepal. You can watch John's video about Jeremy's project here and read Jeremy's blog here.

November 12, 2008 "Build a Library. Change a Life."

 Our goal for this event at Elephant Walk was to raise money for libraries in Cambodia. Our hosts, Longteine de Monteiro, founding chef, and Gerard Lopez, chef/owner of the Cambridge restaurant, shared their insights on Cambodia and their innovative take on its cuisine.

Get Involved with the Chapter!

Volunteer with your local chapter: We're thrilled to hear of your interest in getting involved with the chapter! Volunteering with a Room to Read chapter is not only a great way to help further Room to Read's mission, but also to meet new people! Volunteer opportunities include helping to plan events, giving small presentations about Room to Read's work, and introducing Room to Read to new supporters! If you would like to learn more, please update your profile by filling out the Volunteer Form.

 

Organize your own fundraiser or start an online campaign: Whether you’re running a race, encouraging wedding guests to donate in lieu of gifts, hosting a party at your home, or raising money just because you believe in our mission, the personalized fundraising tool will allow you share the Room to Read story with your friends and family through your own web pages and email messages. You can also track the success of your email campaigns and your progress towards your fundraising goal. Check out our Friends Asking Friends section!

 

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