MISSION AND ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
 
Read Aloud Virginia is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational literacy organization founded in 1998 by Gary Anderson, a school psychologist in Hanover County.  The organization’s mission is promoting healthy, successful children through reading aloud, and it is committed to encouraging parents, teachers, caregivers, and other adults to assume responsibility for children’s literacy by reading to them for 20 minutes a day.  Joanie Bache  serves as the organization’s Executive Director and is the driving force behind many of the organization’s programs.  
 

THE COMMUNITY THAT WE SERVE
Read Aloud Virginia serves all families and children in Virginia in collaboration with local Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) and other community partners.  Currently, RAV has begun work in the Central Virginia and Tidewater areas.  The organization is currently partnering with CBS affiliate stations–WTVR/Channel 6 in Central Virginia and WTKR/Channel 3 in the Tidewater area.

EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH ON THE IMPORTANCE OF READING
Read Aloud Virginia has developed a statewide public awareness campaign of promotional materials including posters, bookmarks, and brochures that highlight reading aloud tips, as well as provide age appropriate lists of books for reading.  These materials have been sent to over 5,000 pediatrician offices throughout the Commonwealth, as well as at libraries and schools.  RAV has developed a website at http://www.readaloudva.org to promote reading aloud and inform the public about its activities and programs.  RAV has developed a mascot, Einstein the Cardinal, who is becoming a recognized symbol for the organization. Public service announcements are also in the planning.