|
On November 12, 2008, RFB&D-LA held its annual
fundraiser, at a beautiful private golf club in
Pasadena. The event was called “RFB&D Makes Learning a
Breeze!”
Nearly 200 friends of RFB&D-LA packed the room when
Board Chair Bert Becker stood to give his welcome and
inform the guests how far we had come since last year’s
event. 3,500 students were served in Fiscal Year 2007,
while 4,200 were served in Fiscal Year 2008!!
 Hollywood
studio volunteer Neva Wallace then recited a poem she
wrote from the perspective of a student member, called
“Imagine.” Guests were able to save this memory by
taking home bookmarks printed with Neva’s beautiful
poem.
Interim Executive Director Mike Davis gave a rousing
visionary speech that spoke to everyone’s heart. He was
particularly excited to tell everyone about RFB&D’s
relatively new downloadable audio textbooks that
students can now listen to on mp3 players, just like all
the other kids!
Our moving video, “Making it Happen” was shown, which
features local Los Angeles area students who have beaten
the odds and soared to the top with the help of RFB&D.
 Guest
speakers began with Marilyn McGloin, who is a special
education teacher from Olive Vista Middle School in
Sylmar Ms. McGloin has a special affinity for children
with learning disabilities. Besides teaching these
students, three of her own children at home have
learning differences! She spoke eloquently about how RFB&D
helped her children at school—and at home—realize that
they weren’t “slow,” they just needed assistance with
their learning differences.
 Our
next speakers were 2008 First Place Scholastic
Achievement Award Winner Henry Vasquez, and his mother
Irene. Henry told the audience about how he had a tragic
accident at the age of 19 and lost his sight, and he
really thought his life was over. But RFB&D literally
changed his life! His mother, who works in special
education, continued that with the help of RFB&D, there
is nothing that Henry cannot do! Irene told us that
Henry was her role model. “Now” she told us, “Henry has
the rights everyone else has. We are very thankful. RFB&D
has touched our hearts in so many ways.”
Board Member and Development Committee Member Ann
Vitti ended the program with an emotional call for help
from our guests. Ann’s own sister has dyslexia but never
knew it while she was growing up. Ann told us that one
of her own sisters had to learn to read by memorizing
the shapes of the letters!
We are very grateful and happy to announce that we
acquired new members of our Dream Builders Society, who,
even during these trying economic times, have pledged to
continue to support RFB&D’s students for the next five
years. Those individuals are:
Thomas & Kathleen Dudley
Patty Jausoro
Paul Luke
Nancy McClelland
Don Nose
Rob Young
We are very appreciative to all who attended, and hope
that the open hearts and new understanding sparked by
the event turn into action so that RFB&D can continue to
give students the tools to help make learning a breeze!
Check out our photo album.
What can you do
to help us achieve our goals?
Click here to attend
a Learning Through Listening Tour
Click here to find
out about volunteering
Click here to become
a member
Click here to donate
|
