Celebrate Donors

Kentucky Challenge

Kentucky Teacher Leaders in Kentucky Senate Chambers

Kentucky Rises to Anonymous Donor’s Challenge
Inspired by the success of the matching donor challenge held at the 2004 National Reading Recovery & Early Classroom Literacy Conference, two Kentucky educators decided to organize a similar project in their area.
Dr. Judy Embry, Reading Recovery trainer at the University of Kentucky, and Glynda Kelso, a Kentucky Reading Recovery teacher leader, watched with awe as names of donors were added to the matching donor challenge board at the 2005 National Conference. An anonymous donor had agreed to donate 50 cents for each dollar contributed by a conference attendee, increasing the value of each gift.

When the total number of gifts grew to almost 300, the two teachers were determined to bring the challenge to their home state of Kentucky.

“I was so impressed by all of the people who were making gifts to meet the challenge and to help strengthen Reading Recovery! I wanted a way to involve my TL friends and fellow teachers in showing how proud we are of its success in Kentucky,” Glynda said.

Glynda contacted RRCNA about extending the challenge, and the anonymous donor agreed to match the funds raised during the special Kentucky campaign. The Reading Recovery teachers and teacher leaders in Kentucky rose to the challenge and donated more than $1,150 to the Reading Recovery Fund. With the matching funds from the anonymous donor, more than $1,700 was contributed to help make Reading Recovery available to every child who needs it.

All the Kentucky donors who participated in the special extended challenge were recognized in the Reading Recovery Fund Annual Report.