Dear friends,
This past spring, when Tangie, our Managing Director, suggested a take on that Dr. Seuss classic for our annual Philadelphia Literacy Day theme, he chose “Oh, The Places We'll Go,” emphasizing our commitment to community.
Literacy and community is that sweet spot for Tree House Books and it showed during Literacy Day. When the rain came, neighbors, staff, and volunteers all sprang into action, clearing the event as our two final authors signed books for kids that huddled in the Tree House, eking out one last special moment. Though we were all dripping wet by the end, once again Philadelphia Literacy Day was a wonderful, wild, book-filled, community celebration!
Story 1 – Words on Wheels!
Our Words on Wheels summer reading program’s goal is to get kids reading and stop “summer slide” when school (and the sun) is out. We know it’s successful through feedback and evaluation. However, I don’t often receive a personal voicemail!
“Hi, Michael. This is Melissa, Aiden's mom. This past summer, I took Aiden out of every other reading program, and he just did the summer reading program with Tree House only. I got his test scores back, and it shows that in reading, he scored in the 98 percentile. I want to say your program is amazing, and I am very, very grateful.”
Tangie took some of our high schoolers to Delaware State’s Homecoming.
Del State is an HBCU and homecoming consisted of the football game, the marching band competition, and a tour of the campus. When I picked them up, the teens were buzzing. In the first 7 minutes, I got to hear about what they were planning on majoring in, how they were going to fix up their resume, and what GPAs they needed to apply. Now our Tree House Book teens are excited students who can see their future.
Watch them recap their trip: https://bit.ly/2024-DelState-Recap
Every Thursday morning for the past six years, like clockwork, we have a group of volunteers at the door waiting for Emma to let them in. Led by their teacher Dave, anywhere from three to eight students from nearby Kensington High School’s Autistic Support Program come ready to help. Just like all Giving Library volunteers, they count, sort, and stamp the inside cover with the Tree House Books logo. Our Giving Library reaches the community in so many unique ways - it is a true treasure!
Click here to see Dave talking with Emma about the program: https://youtu.be/D5XV1iBlfio
Story 5 -You
As you read through this letter, I hope you see yourself in these stories. Not one of these stories happens without you and your financial support, for which we are so grateful.
Next year holds new adventures as we unveil some pretty amazing storylines. There will be new characters and old favorites – twists and turns a-plenty.
You probably know, we have already mapped out our next story – 2025 includes celebrating our 20th year, a new Bookmobile, and cutting the ribbon on our brand new building!
Oh? The part where you become one of our main characters in the success story of Tree House Books starts today! Together we need to raise $40,000 by the end of the year. I hope you join me and give the Tree House Books kids, families, neighbors, and staff their happily ever after!
In reading and community,
Michael Brix
on behalf of Tangie, Emma, Deirdre, Mari, Omi, Cheryl, Liza, and the whole Tree House Books team!
Story 2 – Visit to Delaware State University
Story 3 – Cam leaves the Bookmobile better than he found it
All three of our Traveling Tree House Bookmobile stewards, Kai, Cam, and Mari, have been amazing people to watch as they connect with kids, deliver books, and make life-long connections. During Cam’s last week with us, he chronicled his travels and created a video diary. When he told me about the young boy who grabbed a Percy Jackson book even though he was a struggling reader, it was hard not to get emotional.
Click here to watch Cam’s goodbye reel: https://bit.ly/Cam-Goodbye