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Mina Javaherbin scores a Goal!

With Futbol fever high as the international competition for the World Cup escalates, we are proud to showcase our new board member, author Mina Javaherbin, and her recently published book on soccer, Goal!  Mina is a self proclaimed ‘world citizen.’ She was born in Iran and has immigrated to the United States. She searches for stories which appeal to our universal humanity, seen though the drive and laughter of children as they pursue each Goal!

Okay, you might say, another book on soccer…but open up the cover and Goal! will take your breath away. The protagonists are South African boys with a dream and a prized “federation-size football.”  They embody the human spirit of optimism and hope. Children from any culture can relate and revel in the boys’ dream, the thrill of the game, and the enduring camaraderie of best friends.

In her Author’s Note, Mina tells us, “In South Africa, the people affectionately call their national football team Bafana Bafana, ‘the boys.’ Here in this alley, we join a group of friends as they embrace the spirit of soccer. They play to stay connected. They play to stay children. They play to stay human. But mostly, they play to play.”

Please Dream with us! We cannot realize our 200,000 Dreams Campaign without you!

 

Welcome New Board Members

RIFSoCal is delighted to welcome our three new Board members!

Mina Javaherbin, a children’s book author, just released Goal!, “…celebrating the strength that comes from friendship, the resilient spirit of children, and the unifying power of soccer.”  Shae Jordan, a Child Life Specialist, has been the director of Disney Studios International Worldwide Services, coached Special Olympics, and is an extraordinary advocate for children’s causes. Yvonne M. King, a writer and producer, has worked on Sesame Street, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?, the History Channel, and National Geographic. We look forward to working together to bring books and literacy to Greater LA’s underserved children!

Please Dream with us! We cannot realize our 200,000 Dreams Campaign without you!

 

MyTeacherMyHero.com supports RIFSoCal!

Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO of Warner Bros. and one of the most respected executives in the entertainment industry honors his mother, Lillian Helen Meyer and her dedication to RIFSoCal and the children we serve on MyTeacherMyHero.com.  MyTeacherMyHero.com was created to recognize and thank teachers for their important role in our society, with the ultimate goal of inspiring more talented, intelligent people to join the teaching profession.

Lillian Meyer embodied the grassroots leadership and personal commitment that created, built and sustains RIFSoCal to this day.  Her many years of service to the organization were a manifestation of her love of children and belief in the power of books and reading.  By instilling the love of reading in thousands of disadvantaged children, she not only changed their lives but demonstrated a hands-on dedication that was a powerful example for all of our volunteers. 

RIFSoCal sincerely appreciates The Barry and Wendy Meyer Foundation’s gift of $10,000 per year for three years ($30,000 total) to support our Motivational Reading Program at Hoover Elementary School for three years.  Hoover serves one of the most disadvantaged communities in the city and perhaps for this reason, it was one of Lillian’s favorite sites.  She regularly led motivational reading events and read to the children there.

http://myteachermyhero.com/

Annual Bookmark Winners Chosen

Ten excited winners have been selected from over 5,000 creative entries.  Each winning bookmark is an innovative and personal expression of the magic of reading for fun. Our panel of judges reports that it was a deeply challenging task as there were so many marvelous entries!
Every year we invite children at all participating sites to design a bookmark to show everyone why reading is FUNdamental and important. 350,000 copies of the winning 10 designs will be distributed to approximately 100,000 children over the 2010-2011 program year! Winners receive 50 copies to give to relatives, classmates and friends.
For more information please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).