When Ian O’Malley’s first son was born, he was whisked to the neonatal intensive care unit.
For a month, O’Malley — a New York radio personality, real estate agent and Westporter — read to him.
O’Malley’s soothing voice drowned out the sounds of the many machines keeping his son, and other babies, alive. He is now a happy, healthy teenager.
Whether they are in the NICU or not, babies thrive if the adults in their lives read to them.
O’Malley had access to plenty of books. But plenty of new parents and caregivers do not.
Read To Grow is changing that.
The non-profit’s mission is to “support families as their babies’ first teachers.” They want every child in Connecticut to have books of their own — from birth on.
They’ve already provided them to over 2.5 million youngsters. And every day, they give away more.
O’Malley and fellow Westporter Shari Kaufman are two of Read To Grow’s biggest advocates.
She helped bring the organization’s Bookmobile to town last month. She’s helping organize Read To Grow fundraiser, “A Night for the Books“: May 1, at the Westport Library.
Ian O’Malley
And O’Malley — with his deep voice and easy manner, familiar to millions of radio listeners — will emcee.
Like every non-profit, Read To Grow depends on events like these. This year — in addition to celebrating their 25th anniversary — they’ll raise funds with a special goal.
They already work with every hospital in Connecticut, except 4. With attendees’ help, they hope to soon be in all 23 hospitals in the state.
That’s just the start of their great work. Read To Grow’s book-giving starts on the day a child is born. It continues through age 7.
That’s a lot of stimulation, excitement and growth.
Studies prove conclusively the impact of early reading on brain development. (In fact, it starts in the womb.)
Read To Grow’s model is simple. In addition to providing books in hospitals, they deliver “Literacy Packets” (in English and Spanish) to mothers of newborns. Over 40 trained voluneers visit bedside, describing how to develop babies’ language skills in simple, fun and loving ways.
They offer free follow-ups, mailing new baby board books and literacy brochures when babies turn 3 months and 1 year.
They also offer books to siblings of newborns in the hospital.
As children grow, the non-profit provides free books, literary resources and workshops to families, childcare providers, teachers, doctors, healthcare groups, library programs and many nonprofits.
Families and programs can also request books — in 14 languages — through the website.
The Bookmobile program is one more way to get books in the hands of children, including remote parts of the state.
“Books for kids are not cheap,” O’Malley notes. “But every kid needs them.”
O’Malley works with and supports more than 2 dozen charities. But this one is especially dear to his heart.
“Books are simple. But they offer great opportunities,” he says. “And extraordinary things can come from opportunity.”
He has heard stories of what can be done with those opportunities: excitement in school. Finding a passion. Becoming the first person in a family to go to college.
“This is a good charity, doing great things,” O’Malley says. “They’re doing it here and now. And they’re doing it for the future.”
This will be O’Malley’s second year emceeing the Read To Grow fundraiser. He’s excited about the auction items (among them: a trip for 6 to Tuscany; a Broadway VIP package, including dinner with the star; a Mets’ fans’ dream experience for 4 with Ron Darling), and a whiskey and wine pull with “great bottles.”
Zucca Gastrobar — the excellent Saugatuck restaurant — will offer 8 different food stations.
Added attractions: 25 authors and illustrators of children’s books will be on hand, along with Read To Grow’s founders.Staples’ outstanding musician Andrew Maskoff will perform.
And — before the doors open — the Bookmobile will be there.
Book it!
(For more information, and tickets, click here.)
Dan, thank you so much for highlighting this incredible organization! I’ve been on the Board for over 10 years and can attest that I’ve seen RTG’s impact first hand. We support families throughout the entire state, including right here in Westport and Fairfield county. Thank you again for your post!