January 24, 2018

Introducing the Page Turner Society inaugural members

Reading Partners South Carolina launched our first giving society at our annual Books & Breakfast event in November. The Page Turner Society is comprised of passionate donors who have agreed to sponsor the $1,100 in private philanthropy needed to provide our program to a student in need for a full year. We are so excited to share we have 39 inaugural members sponsoring over 70 hardworking students in the 2017-18 school year. Each Page Turner Society member shares a passion for changing the future of literacy in our community.

To introduce this new giving society, three community donors pledged a challenge grant to sponsor 25 students in Reading Partners for a full year. Reading Partners South Carolina board chair, Richard Star, and his wife Shara were challenge sponsors, along with Steve and Emily Swanson and an anonymous donor.

“We believe that Reading Partners makes a difference in the lives of at-risk students in South Carolina and across the country,” says Richard. “Becoming a member of the Page Turner Society is a terrific way to positively impact a child’s life. Sponsoring a student for a year in the Reading Partners program will help close the achievement gap for that child and give them a better chance to succeed in school and life.”

This group of donors made a great impact from the start for the Page Turner Society.

With our challenge sponsors’ support and encouragement, attendees at Books & Breakfast began to join our inaugural group of members. At the event, author A.J. Tata offered to name a character in his next novel after whomever was the first to sponsor two students in our program. Dunes Properties generously stepped up with naming honors awarded to Luiz Yamashita. Luiz shares, “[Dunes Properties] strongly believes in being involved in social projects. Reading is a crucial skill for one’s success in life, and yet, there are so many children unaware and unable to develop this skill. For that, we are happy to help Reading Partners achieve its goals and continue to provide a very impactful program for the children.”

Even some of our incredible volunteers who continue to commit their time and talents as weekly tutors have taken their commitment to the next level. Michelle Kuchenbecker, a longtime volunteer at Mitchell and Tutor Advisory Council member has seen the difference a weekly volunteer makes in a child’s life and has joined the Page Turner Society as an inaugural member.

As a 6-year volunteer tutor, I know Reading Partners is making a difference. Reading Partners leverages the power of community volunteers, and is a cost-effective model for providing hands-on, individualized support for children who struggle to read. Literacy lays the foundation for a child’s success in school and in life, and I’d like to see the program continue to expand. I hope my contribution is helping to make this possible.

Reading Partners South Carolina is excited to welcome these inaugural members of the Page Turner Society. We truly appreciate their support of our mission and students. If you or your company would like to join Richard, Luiz, and Karen by sponsoring a child for $1,100, please visit our donation page.

You can learn more about our Page Turner Society by contacting Bonnie Bella, director of development & strategy, at bonnie.bella@readingpartners.org.