Book A Brighter Future campaign donates literacy tools to Dallas ISD students

by PegNews wire

The Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) program at the Dallas Independent School District is a local beneficiary of the Book A Brighter Future campaign, a national partnership with Macy's to raise awareness and support for children's literacy and provide reading resources for children who lack adequate access to books. In Texas, RIF provides free books to 543,875 underserved children. In Dallas-Fort Worth alone, RIF serves more than 99,474 children throughout the area.

As families in Dallas-Fort Worth prepare to send their kids back to school, Macy's is giving customers the opportunity to support local children's literacy programs while saving money with in-store coupons. The Book A Brighter Future campaign is an annual promotion held at Macy's stores nationwide during the back-to-school season. Through August 31, customers can give $3 to RIF at any children's department and receive a store-wide coupon for $10 off a $50 in-store purchase.

"So far, we've seen a lot of community support with this campaign," says RIF President and CEO Carol H. Rasco. "Through the Book A Brighter Future campaign, one dollar of every three received is being invested locally to support programs like the Dallas Independent School District and other children's literacy initiatives."

In 2007, 34% of 4th-graders in Texas scored below basic reading proficiency, 36% performed at a basic level, and 23% scored proficient, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The proceeds from this campaign will enable RIF to provide the resources needed to help increase the reading proficiency of those children who fall behind each year.

"RIF is building a brighter future for so many children across the nation by providing them with the reading resources they need to succeed in school and in life," adds Rasco. "Let's start this back-to-school season on the right foot to help build our communities and strengthen literacy skills for every child in need."

Source: Reading is Fundamental