Advocacy people, it goes a long way

The following is a letter I drafted on behalf of school to protect the Reading is Fundamental book giveaway program. It needs help. What else should I say?

Obviously, identifying features will be reinstated on the actual letter and were taken out for the purpose of anonymity on the Internet.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.


807 27th Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55411

March 3, 2010

Senator Amy Klobuchar,
1200 Washington Avenue South, Suite 250
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Dear Senator,

My name is Recycled Art Guru and I am a fourth and fifth grade teaching assistant at School A. I am writing this letter because I am concerned about the funding for the federal Reading is Fundamental (RIF) Program. This program is critical for the academic success and overall well-being for so many of the students and families at my school, and it is my belief that the funding for the RIF program be reinstated this year.

As you know, RIF is a program that prepares and motivates children to read by providing NEW books to students and lets them choose which books they can keep. Over the years, RIF has provided 4.4 million children with 15 new and free books to children and families that need them the most. RIF makes reading more exciting for children because they can own the books that they read.

As a teaching assistant, I have witnessed first-hand my students’ excitement and elation on our RIF book giveaway days. When given the choice of a book to read, all of my students have shown an immense joy in choosing a book and then turning the crisp, clean pages of that book. The excitement is elevated when they are told that they can keep it and call it their own. Nothing, in my opinion, is more important than bringing the joy of a good book to a child. RIF is one of the programs that put a smile on the face of my students, and I would hate for that to be taken away due to lack of funds.

As the daughter of a lifelong teacher, I am positive that you understand the importance of reading in literacy development. Therefore, I ask kindly that you give your support in the form of your vote to reinstating the federal funding for the Reading is Fundamental program when the time comes. It’s a critical decision for many students and families in our community, and I trust that you will make the right decision.

Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts.

Sincerely,

Recycled Art Guru