READesignSM - Washington, DC
On March 3, 2007 , The Heart of America Foundation® conducted a READesignSM at P.R. Harris Educational Center in Washington, DC. Our largest READesignSM to date, the makeover included not only the main library, but also a satellite library for the younger grades, as well as the parent resource center. With the support of more than 50 Capital One Associates, the day was a huge success.
P.R. Harris serves more than 750 children from Pre-K through 8th grade, and 84% of the students participate in the free and reduced-price meal program. More than 75% of the students read at or below grade level, and the average age of books in the school library was approximately 15 years.
Thanks to the sponsorship and efforts of Capital One Associates and other volunteers from the community, the school’s libraries were transformed. The main library included a new kite-themed mural, painted by Disney artist Cecilia Washington Carr, perfect for the March opening of the refreshed library! The library was painted in soothing blue and yellow tones, with new tables and chairs, a café-styled seating area for the older children, and a bold computer carrel in vibrant primary colors. The satellite library for the smaller children had an animal theme and was decorated with original paintings, sunny yellow walls, plush animal-shaped bean bags, a puppet theater, and a sunburst reading rug, along with new child-sized chairs, tables and bookcases. The READesignSM was rounded out with a fresh coat of paint for the parent resource room and the donation of 1,000 new books for the library.
Capital One Associates volunteered their time to help with everything from painting walls and assembling furniture to distributing books and engaging in crafts projects with families and children. At a family celebration of the new library, each child received five free books, and everyone received a free lunch, with some families receiving door prizes. Special VIPs at the event included Ken Harvey, a children’s author and former linebacker for the Washington Redskins, as well as Leigh Torrence, a current cornerback for the Redskins. Sadia White, the Assistant Superintendent, Division 1, and Philecia Harris, Director of Library Media Services, spoke on behalf of DC Public Schools.
By the end of the day, The Heart of America Foundation®, with Capital One’s financial support and volunteer efforts, had distributed more than 4,000 books to children in the community. Capital One’s commitment to the P.R. Harris Educational Center and the efforts of their volunteers have enriched the lives of the children, families and community for generations to come.
READesignSM - Miami
On Saturday, January 27, 2007, The Heart of America Foundation® conducted a READesignSM for the Lenora B. Smith Elementary School library in Miami, Florida. This school serves more than 600 students, ages pre-K through fifth grade, and 96% of students participate in the free and reduced-price meal program.
Prior to the READesignSM, the school library had damaged, buckling ceiling tiles, stained carpets and cracked linoleum flooring, as well as chipped paint on the walls. Thanks to the funding and volunteer support of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, the support of the NFL Players Association, as well as the efforts of Smith Elementary staff members and University of Miami, Florida International University, and Barry University volunteers, the library is now an inviting haven.
The READesignSM included fresh paint and colorful, ocean-themed murals, along with new carpeting, vibrant and fun, fish-themed computer carrels, new tables and reading chairs, and a cozy reading corner with a rocking chair, a fish-themed rug, and dolphin and sea turtle bean bags. The donation of more than 1,496 high-quality, hardcover library books rounded out the makeover.
At the same time, the fun continued outdoors, as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and university volunteers assisted with a fun day for children and families, including arts and crafts, sports, and the distribution of more than 4,778 books for children to take home and enjoy with their families. Lunch was provided by Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, along with live music and dancing, door prizes, and a read-aloud by Marilyn Perlyn, author of The Biggest and Brightest Light: A True Story of the Heart. The fun continued with a special VIP appearance by Miami native and New York Giant™ Sinorice Moss, as well as an appearance by the Miami Dolphins™ mascot “T.D.”
Thanks to the efforts of more than 100 volunteers from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, the University of Miami, Florida International University, Barry University and the school community, Lenora B. Smith Elementary School has a library they can be proud of, which will serve as the heart of their school for many years to come.
READesignSM - New Orleans
On December 2, 2006, The Heart of America Foundation® and Capital One undertook an ambitious effort to READesignSM two public school libraries in New Orleans, at Capdau and Nelson Charter Schools. Both schools sustained extensive damage during Hurricane Katrina, and both are now charter schools sponsored by the University of New Orleans.
Medard H. Nelson Charter School serves approximately 250 students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. Pierre A. Capdau Charter School serves a little more than 250 students in pre-K through eighth grade, and approximately 80% of its students were eligible for the free and reduced-price meal program prior to Hurricane Katrina. Many of these children remained in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, when the school system was not yet certain it could support the needs of its students. After the hurricane, Capdau Charter School had significant damage to its roof, including portions over the library; Nelson Charter School was not ready to be reoccupied: it was still under three feet of standing water, with rubbish and significant mold and other damage.
Thanks to the sponsorship and efforts of Capital One Associates and other volunteers from the University of New Orleans and City Year, the schools’ libraries were transformed into colorful and attractive learning centers, with new books, computers and furniture. Reading corners with an area rug and animal-themed murals and bean bags created a cozy sanctuary for the youngest students. Volunteers from the schools and the community helped with painting, assembling furniture, and stocking the library shelves with books. The volunteers also read to children from the community. Each child received five free books, and their families had the opportunity to participate in arts and crafts and family reading circles, with some families receiving door prizes.
At the end of the two READesignSM library makeovers, The Heart of America Foundation® had given away more than 2,000 school library books and more than 3,000 books for children’s personal collections in the Capdau school community and nearly 3,400 school library books and nearly 3,000 books for children’s personal collections in the Nelson school community. Parents also received materials and resources on the importance of reading to their children, to ensure that they would share the joy of reading these books and cherishing them with their children.
Thanks to the efforts of The Heart of America Foundation® and the generous support of Capital One, AmeriCares and Sentillion, Inc., these children have a new optimism and an opportunity to help their school and community rebuild and flourish.
READesignSM - Jacksonville
On August 26, 2006, The Heart of America Foundation® (HOA), with sponsorship from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, WAWS Fox 30 and the Jacksonville Children’s Commission, launched its READesignSM pilot program in Jacksonville, Florida, transforming the libraries at Spring Park Elementary and Longbranch Elementary schools into lively and compelling places for students to read and learn. In addition to these schools, three other schools in need received a total of 12,000 books for their libraries and students. HOA also conducted a READesignSM at Cedar Hills Elementary School at the end of October, including the creation of a reading garden.
Spring Park Elementary School serves approximately 371 students in pre-K through fifth grade and approximately 77% of its students are eligible for the free or reduced-price meal program. Longbranch Elementary School serves a little more than 300 students in pre-K through fifth grade and approximately 91% of its students are eligible for the free or reduced-price meal program. Cedar Hills Elementary School serves a little more than 400 students in pre-K through fifth grade and approximately 66% of its students are eligible for the free or reduced-price meal program.
Working with Jacksonville’s WAWS FOX30 as the media sponsor and the Honors Program of the University of North Florida, The Heart of America Foundation® was able to offer intensive care for these school libraries and transform them into the heart of the school. Over 200 READesignSM volunteers from the University of North Florida honors program gained much insight into the issues of literacy and community service and made a huge impact by sharing their gifts and talents with each school. Volunteers contributed their time and expertise to assemble furniture and paint library spaces. The children now have a cozy reading area, where they can sit on their reading rug with their stuffed animals while a teacher reads to them from a big rocking chair. Volunteers also extended Cedar Hills’ library space with a delightful reading garden that included seating areas and a pergola.
Now the heart of the school, these libraries are vibrant centers of books and reading that will truly make a difference in the lives of thousands of students. Volunteers also helped with the library celebration events, assisting with arts and crafts activities, reading circles and serving lunch to all of the families in attendance. Plus, each child received seven new books to add to their personal collections. Throughout the READesignSM, the volunteers were rewarded for their efforts with smiles, tears of joy, and countless expressions of gratitude. Children watched with eyes wide open. Parents cried and the media specialists and principals at both schools hugged staff and volunteers in appreciation. Because of the volunteers’ dedicated commitment to the literacy effort, these libraries have been transformed into a better place for students, families and the community for many years to come.
Applying for a Library READesignSM
The Heart of America Foundation® (HOA) proactively contacts the schools it serves with the READesignSM project, based largely on public school information for communities nation-wide. HOA particularly looks for schools where at least 60% of the children are served by the free and reduced-price meal program. HOA typically makes initial contact with the school district or the school’s principal, gathering information to assess the community’s needs. Schools may be selected for a READesignSM by HOA and its sponsors, or they may be asked to apply for a READesignSM along with other high-need schools in the same or neighboring communities.
If you are interested in completing an application, please review our application guidelines.
If your organization would like to contribute
funds, materials, services or volunteers to the READesignSM program please review our Donation Opportunities.
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