Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
 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 
Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
 Chapter

Email: dallas@roomtoread.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RoomtoReadDFW
Twitter: www.twitter.com/RoomtoRead_DFW

Room to Read’s Dallas Fort Worth Chapter was established in 2011 with a goal of achieving global literacy and gender equality in education. Our mission is to raise awareness of literacy needs and improve access to education by contributing to our award winning national organization. We partner with local businesses, community organizations, and schools to raise funds for education in developing countries, while promoting literacy and leadership in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex.

Meet the 
Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
 Chapter Leaders

 
Ken Smith and Susan Swan Smith - Chapter Co-Leaders
Ken is VP at Vector Systems Inc. and President of VAWT Manufacturing Inc. Ken is CASA Volunteer Advocate and brings with him 30 years of experience in operations and management. Susan serves Communities Foundation of Texas as Chief Relationship Officer and holds MA Degree in educational leadership from GWU. She has also served as Assistant Head for Dev. & Ext. Affairs at Hockaday School.

Scott Lamberty - Events Team Leader
Scott previously spent 9 years working in a sales role for a global technology leader. He currently owns and operates an internet marketing company. Scott has been active in various DFW Room to Read roles since 2011.
Lisa Marshall - Students Helping Students
Jean Lamberty - Students Helping Students
Lisa is the Lead Instructor at Readers 2 Leaders in West Dallas where she works with struggling readers and at-risk youth. Lisa holds degree in social sciences and human rights.

Jean is a writer, and part of the boards of Women’s Southwest Federal Credit Union and WordSpace, a local literary organization. She has taught English, literature and ESL at the college and high school levels.
Linda Forrest - Volunteer Coordinator
Debbie Dennis - Communications Coordinator
Linda lived overseas for 10 years as an expat ‘trailing spouse’ and mother of 3 boys. She got involved with RTR after moving back to the United States. Linda sees education as a key to success.


Upcoming Events

Future Meeting Dates:
August 17
November 16th 

Help us make 2013 another great year !  


http://youtu.be/UfG06hnTNb8

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Join us for our second annual Namaste World event, a global youga benefit which works with local yoga studios to raise funds for the Room to Read Girl's Education Program.

Date: Saturday, June 1, 2013.  
Time: Anytime during the 24 hour period of June 1, 2013.
Where: You can join us at any of the following locations

- Allen Yoga Center www.allenyogacenter.com

- Pranaa Ayurveda Spa & Yoga  www.pranaa.com

- Key West Yoga Sanctuary (Florida)  www.keywestyogasanctuary.com



                  
Goal: To raise $50,000 (USD) with yoga studios worldwide ! 
Why: Because World Change Starts with Educated Children!  It costs $250 to support one girl scholar for one year. Our goal in 2013 is to provide 200 girls with one year of participation in Room to Read's Girls' Education Program.
Who: You! Whether you are a yoga teacher, yoga studio owner, kid, teen, or adult- anyone can do yoga!

Learn More Here: http://www.roomtoread.org/namasteworld

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Read-A-Thons:
Read-a-thons are fundraising events that benefit local students while they earn money to support students in developing countries where Room to Read works. Students do extra-curriculum reading to reach a specified goal (number of pages or number of hours). This then translates into a dollar amount that has been pledged by a local individual or business. Students can choose to donate the money to any of the countries Room to Read serves, and can specify how the money will be used, such as for books, scholarships, or buildings. By participating in a Read-a-thon, students read more than they otherwise would have, learn about other cultures, and have a sense of giving to less fortunate students.
 
                                     Schools planning to do Read-a-thons Spring 2013

Webb Elementary, McKinney
Press Elementary, McKinney
Peak Preparatory, Dallas
Stockton Middle School, DISD
Zaragoza Elementary, DISD (with SMU students)
Long Middle School, DISD


ON-GOING ACTIVITIES


Join the Room to Read Check out Challenge!
http://www.roomtoread.org/checkoutchallenge

Students Helping Students:
 
Students Helping Students (SHS), is a youth movement to raise funds and awareness for our work. By joining, you're standing up for global literacy and girls’ rights to go to school. Contact Lisa Marshall or Jean Lamberty at roomtoreaddfw@gmail.com  to find how you can contribute to SHS program in DFW area.Check out the website  www.roomtoread.org/students  for ideas at your local schools and campuses !  

ROOM TO READ'S FEATURE PRODUCTS
Zak The Yak With Books on His Back:
Zak the Yak With Books on His Back is a children's book authored by Room to Read Founder and Board Chair, John Wood. In fun and rhythmic prose, Wood tells the story of sturdy, lovable Zak, a yak whose determination and strength help to bring thousands of books to a rural village in Nepal. For every copy of the Zak the Yak purchased, Room to Read donates ten books to children in need. Help us create the change, Buy Zak the Yak With Books on His Back through Republic of Tea, our partner, whose genorisity has helped subsidize printing cost of the book.


SPONSORSHIP
Do you want to sponsor future Room to Read DFW events?  Please contact us and let us know! We are looking for corporate or individual sponsors for our 2013 events. Contact us at: roomtoreaddfw@gmail.com 

Event Photos

slideshow

Past Events


In Vino Educatis 2013
Our second annual In Vino Educatis raised money to support the local Read A Thons in the Dallas area.  In turn, these schools support Room to Read!  Its another 'win win' for Room to Read!  Thank you for your continued support and remember 'World Change Starts with Educated Children' ! 

Cowtown 5k/10k/Half Marathon!

We raised money to sponsor Peak Academy for their Spring 2013 Read a Thon !  Yeah Yak Pack Team !  

2012 Wine Tasting Event

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the wine tasting fundraiser for South Africa! I hope you enjoy your engraved Room to Read wine glasses! 
We raised just over $900 for Room to Read South Africa!!  Thank you again!!


Beers for Books
This was our very first Beers for Books event that was held in September 2012. we raised enough money at to have 398 book printed in local languages for schools overseas !  Way to go Dallas Fort Worth Room to Read!

PAST READ A THONS

Read-A-Thon, Summer 2012
The Peak Summer Reading Program, June 2012
McKinney Read-A-Thon, May 2012
Read-A-Thon, November - December 2011





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!

 

Chapters

Our chapters raise 1/3 of our budget so more dollars fund our programs.  Help them, help us!

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