Central Connecticut

 Chapter

Our chapter got its start in a West Hartford restaurant! Rosemary O'Neill was telling her book group about a New York Times column she had read about Room to Read. She wanted to help the organization, but there was no chapter in central Connecticut. One drink later, she and Beth Bartron decided to start one.

With the help of our technology guru, Susan Apito, our chapter is reaching out to book groups and community memebers across central Connecticut. We're planning to set some pretty ambitious goals for our first year - and we're looking for ideas, particicpants and enthusiasm!

 Our first "Beers for Books" will be held Wednesday, May 9 at the Pond House Grille, 2935 Main Street, Glastonbury. All evening long, the Pond House will donate to Room to Read $1 for every drink purchased and $5 for each bottle of wine purchased.

Room to Read members will be on hand from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Pond House, coodinating the raffle of a gift basket, selling some gently used books and letting people know about all the great things Room to Read is doing.
Join us for a drink or two and meet some new people. Remember, your drink will purchase a local language book for a child in a developing country.

A big thanks to the Pond House for their support, and we look forward to seeing you Wednesday.

We held a book fair sponsored by Barnes and Noble - Manchester on Saturday, April 14th from 10:00 am- 2:00 pm.

During the fair, Barnes & Noble shoppers could use a special voucher with book fair ID number (10684512) to have 10 percent of the cost of their purchases go to support Room to Read. The fundraising aspect of the bookfair ran for one day in Barnes & Noble stores, and ran for five days online (www.bn.com/bookfairs) from April 14 to 19. During the bookfair, we coordinated different in-store events such as story-telling, games and puzzles and featured three different local authors.

We held our first event on Thursday, Feb. 23rd and we raised more than $1,200 to support Room to Read! We had a Girls' Night In at the home of Jeanne Dullea in South Glastonbury and a Boys' Night In at the home of John O'Neill in West Hartford. The boys outnumbered the girls - and were quite a bit louder - but we all had a great time.
Thanks to all for their incredible generosity. Now on to the next event... a book swap to be held Sunday, March 18th from 12:30 to 2:30 at the Pond House restaurant in Glastonbury. More info to come.

The students at Salem School in Salem, Connecticut ran a "Change for Change" drive on Friday, March 2nd and collected $463.11! Ms. Janlyn Neri, a language arts teacher, gathered a group of middle school students to organize the activity. They worked during several lunch periods to create posters and flyers. The students went into classrooms in the days before the coin drive and explained the need and the mission of Room to Read as they passed out Zak the Yak book marks. The whole Salem School community rallied in support of literacy for children in developing countries.

Our Book Swap event at the Pond House Grille in Glastonbury, Connecticut was a rousing success. We collected over $300.00 and talked to many people who will help spread the word about the good work being done through Room to Read. Zak the Yak joined in the fun courtesy of high school student, Caitlyn. We are looking forward to organizing book swaps in other towns in the very near future.

A big thanks to Lucinda Hogarty for hosting a mother/daughter book group discussion to benefit Room to Read. The mothers and daughters read the Nicholas Kristof book, 'Half the Sky,' and then discussed it at Lucinda's house in Chester. They shared a potluck dinner and donated to Room to Read the amount they would have spent going out. A great way to raise money and build awareness in our daughters!

On Thursday evening (April 17th) our volunteer group met with new volunteers who have agreed to join our core chapter team with enthusiastic commitment. Rosemary O'Neill and Beth Bartron, Co-leaders have been working with Sue Apito, technology/social media coordinator. We are now joined by Jan Sudra as the volunteer coordinator; Pamela Heath-Johnston as events coordinator; and Abigail Dim as students helping students coordinator. The shared humor and energy of the group promises to build a strong foundation for success as the new Central CT chapter moves forward!