Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is taking part in the first official Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11, a day established by President Obama and Congress to honor the victims and heroes of 9/11 through acts of community service.
In honor of September 11, RIF will sign a partnership agreement with the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. This new partnership will help improve literacy resources for American Indian children and families nationally. With RIF programs across the country, the event will kick off with a special synchronous read-aloud for 11 minutes of the children’s book 14 Cows for America—the moving story of the generosity of one village in response to the 9/11 attacks on America.
On this historic and symbolic day, RIF will also culminate its Read For Change campaign in support of United We Serve, President Obama’s call to service. This summer, RIF teamed up with Verizon Foundation’s Thinkfinity and Broadway star Fantasia Barrino to challenge Americans across the country to collectively log 3 million minutes of reading with children by September 11, 2009. That goal was met and surpassed, with Americans logging over 3,051,000 minutes of reading with children at home and in their communities.
For further information about RIF and its activities, visit the RIF website.