(Photo courtesy of Hayden Homes)
Hayden Homes has proudly gifted $3,500 for the Rotary Club of Redmond’s 2024 Gift of Literacy program. The gift supports Redmond Rotarians to provide every first grade student in the district — as well as St. Thomas Academy and Central Christian School — with their very own hardback book. More than 550 students in total will be served.
Hayden Homes team members and Redmond Rotary Club members visited Sage Elementary School on April 10 for a book handout. Students beamed as they received their special book. High school students from the Interact Club at Redmond Proficiency Academy also attended and performed an interactive book reading to the children. Other students will receive their books over the coming weeks.
“We are proud to support Redmond Rotary, and to help provide the gift of reading to the deserving first graders of the Redmond School District region,” said Deb Flagan, Hayden Homes vice president of community engagement and giving.
The Rotary Club of Redmond’s Gift of Literacy program is now in its fifth year, with more than 2,750 books distributed to students from Tumalo to Terrebonne since 2020. It is Hayden Homes’ third year supporting the program, which is also sponsored by Selco Credit Union.
This year, first grade teachers were given a set of seven books to read to students. Students then chose their favorite and the Rotary Club purchased the books for distribution. Recently, Rotarians gathered together to write each student’s name in their own book. The books were then packed into a backpack. Students across the district are now receiving their special book and backpack at events like the one at Sage Elementary.
“The Gift of Literacy project aspires to show students how important literacy and lifelong learning is in Redmond,” said Janice Burges, president of the Rotary Club of Redmond. “We’re creating a culture of reading and learning that we hope will have an impact on the lives of these students forever.”
Research shows that literacy is a gateway skill that must be encouraged and reinforced at a young age in order for children to be successful in their ongoing education. Rotary Club of Redmond aims to continue building this successful program for years to come.
This year’s book selection included:
- My Dog Just Speaks Spanish, by Andrea Caceras
- Wepa: English & Spanish, by J De La Vega
- Skater Cielo, by Rachel Katstaller
- Dark on Light, by Dianne White
- Gustav is Missing! A Tale of Friendship and Bravery, by Andrea Zuill
- King Kong’s Cousin, by Mark Teague
- We Don’t Lose Our Class Goldfish, by Ryan T. Higgins
To learn more and donate to the Gift of Literacy program visit redmondoregonrotary.com.
About Hayden Homes:
Established in Redmond in 1989, Hayden Homes has provided over 25,000 new homes to price-conscious, value-driven homebuyers in underserved, secondary markets throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Hayden Homes continues to be the largest privately-owned new home builder in the Pacific Northwest. Hayden Homes exists to Give As You Go, so together we build a strong community, and lead fulfilled lives.
Hayden Homes has contributed $6.3 billion to local economies and has created more than 99,000 jobs since the company’s inception. Hayden Homes supports philanthropic efforts in the communities in which they build and have contributed more than $70 million in charitable donations with the flagship of their giving through the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, First Story.
To date, First Story has provided 117 families throughout the Pacific Northwest with an affordable home and a first step toward financial freedom. The Hayden Homes brand family of companies includes Simplicity by Hayden Homes, Wise Size Homes and Hayden Homes, all providing an unparalleled selection of opportunities for those looking to purchase a new home.