Have a Great Summer!
Get to Know Rhea LeGrande

Calling All
Book Collectors
Cheers for End of Year Kona Celebrations
Let's toast to another great year! As final reading sessions occurred at partner schools earlier this month, Lead to Read KC volunteers and their students were treated to shaved ice from the Kona Ice Truck. Reading Mentors also gifted students with new books to read over the summer. Thank you to the 1,724 mentors who donated their lunch hours to read every week at 28 schools. See more year-end celebration photos on our Facebook page.
We Found Our Champion
As I wrap up my time with Lead to Read KC, I am reminded of the incredible experience I’ve had over the past few months learning more and attempting to better understand the literacy landscape and why we have had such a challenge with literacy over the years.

Terri E. Barnes, Interim Executive Director
After an exhaustive search, we are all very proud to know that Rhea Muchalla LeGrand will take my place and serve as the next Executive Director. Her passion, experience and commitment to educational equity will help ensure the organization stays on the right path and continues to think strategically and creatively about how we can continue to make an impact.
How You Can Help Lead to Read KC
Put Your Yard to Work
It's like magic! Our recruitment signs go into yards around the city, we get more Reading Mentors. Help us be seen this summer in your neighborhood so we'll be ready for reading sessions this fall. Please add your info to this form so we can deliver a sign to you.
Be a Book Collector
Can you fill a tub with new and like-new children’s books? Betcha can! Help keep a steady supply of children’s books coming in so we can distribute them out into the community. If you’re interested in picking up a bin or learning more, email Linda Hughes.
Have you watched the video about Mauricio Bernal? This former Whittier Elementary School student's story shows how donations from supporters like you have lasting impacts.

Make a donation now to help more students succeed, just like Mauricio!
Mentor Moments:
Stringing Together Words and Cups
Mike McGuire’s sessions as a Reading Mentor at Genesis School recently inspired him to get creative. His student often brought a book on science experiments for them to read. In particular McGuire could tell the “2 cups and a string walkie-talkie” really intrigued the second grader. Once he found out this was something the student had never seen before, McGuire gathered the supplies and assembled one for them to try.
Community event season
is ramping up!

Lead to Read participates in community events to recruit new reading mentors and distribute literacy resources. Interested in helping? Check out our Sign-Up Genius.
EVENTS | Get details about these events where Lead to Read KC will be and find more community happenings at our events page.
  • Dreams KC Community Literacy Event, May 25
  • Unite KC's Walk for Unity, June 8
  • Kansas City PBS' Be My Neighbor Day, June 22

JOIN THE FUN AT BOULEVARDIA | Come volunteer at the music and beer festival's charity bars. We need people for Saturday, June 15, to sell beer during three different shifts and Lead to Read KC gets to keep 100% of the tips! Volunteers receive complimentary Saturday admission and a free ticket for Friday. Email volunteer@leadtoreadkc.org if you're interested.

FORE(!) THE KIDS | There's still time to sign up your team for the Brookside Charter School 2024 Golf Tournament, benefitting Lead to Read KC, on Monday, June 17, at the Blue Hills Country Club. Registration opens at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start at noon. Gather your foursome to help keep Brookside Charter’s students reading on grade level.

SECOND SATURDAY BOOK SORTING | Dates for our book sorting sessions are up through the end of 2024. Sign up for one or all of our fun, easy volunteer opportunities. Help Lead to Read KC sort and process book donations at our office in the Nonprofit Village the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon. Sign up here!

STAY UP TO DATE | Follow Lead to Read KC on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube and please like, subscribe, comment on, and share our posts.
Creating a community of readers, one lunch hour at a time since 2011.