1	Local Council Community Service Projects Community Projects Bernice Hill, Chairperson
2	The Purpose of Community Projects Local reading councils use Community Service Projects to: Promote Reading/Literacy in the community Provide a service to the community Involve its’ Membership Promote relationships with other organizations Impact the community Be visible in the community Promote the goals of IRA and ARA Receive recognition from IRA and ARA Promote Reading/Literacy in the community
3	2006 IRA Award Winning Community Service Projects – First Place “Books + Reading = Literacy in Norristown” The Delaware Valley Reading Association Havertown, Pennsylvania The project’s goal was to get books into children’s hands so they would read at home. At “Reading Day at the Zoo”, council members read and distributed animal books to children who came to the zoo.
4	2006 IRA Award Winning Community Service Projects – First Place Cont’d During “Books on Patrol”, in conjunction with the Norristown Police, council members distributed books to children at community events, schools, and summer camps sponsored by parks and recreation.
5	2006 IRA Award Winning Community Service Project – Second Place “Young Authors” Elko County Reading Council, Spring Creek, Nevada This council held a “Young Authors Conference” where all students throughout the district were invited to write a story and submit it for judging. Children’s author and illustrator Helen Kettleman visited schools in the district.
6	Second Place Cont’d Many community groups, such as PTO’s, 4-H Youth, Wells Fargo Bank, McDonald’s, and Elko County Public Library, helped both monetarily and with volunteered time.
7	2006 IRA Award Winning Community Service Project – Third Place “Run for Literacy” Phoenix West Reading Council, Peoria, Arizona The “Run for Literacy” 5K Run/Walk, 1 mile Fun Run, and Kids 50 Yard Dash focused the attention of the community on literacy. Companies and organizations partnered with the council to provide literacy materials and services.
8	2006 IRA Award Winning Community Service Project – Third Place Proceeds were awarded to teachers for literacy projects and materials.
9	2006IRA Award Winning Community Service Project – Third Place “Read Across America” Jefferson County Reading Council, White Hall, Arkansas Council members from each school involved in the council, organized activities for an assigned state. Students received a U.S. map and “traveled” from state to state. This event was held at the local mall. Free books were given to children and adults. Various groups provided books, monetary assistance, and readers. Others dressed in periods costumes and cheered participants during the event.
10	Have you applied for the Local Council Community Service Award? You should if you can say “yes” to the following questions about your service project:
11	"Is it unique and creative" Is it unique and creative? Does it have impact on your community? Are your council members involved? Could it be replicated by others?
12	"If you answered “yes" If you answered “yes” to those questions Send it to IRA!!!
13	Support your Arkansas Reading Association If your council have community service projects that have been successfully in your community, please share with the other councils!!!!
14	From IRA There may or may not be a monetary award this year, but IRA want the local councils to submit projects.
15	"Please send me your community..." Please send me your community service projects so that I can share with other councils. Thank you for your time and cooperation!!! Bernice Hill 1795 Lee 157 Moro, AR 72368 hillb@wes.grsc.k12.ar.us {870} 295-7118 (w) or {870} 768-3430 (h)