Events

RFB&D Makes Learning a Breeze!

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?