Reading Power Fundraising Luncheon Honors Co-Founder and Former Executive Director Mary Jane Hender, Ed.D.
Reading Power held its second annual fundraising luncheon on May 1, 2009 at the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago, Illinois.
Supporters, tutors and friends attended this emotion-packed event that celebrated the dream of Mary Jane Hender, Ed.D. and Reverend Gordon Butcher over six years ago-- Reading Power.
“A Vision at Work” was a fitting theme for the luncheon which hailed the significant accomplishments of this growing organization while stressing its many ongoing challenges.
Over seven hundred students have been tutored with dramatically improved reading scores based on thrice annual assessments but the need for program funding and a growing pool of committed, trained tutors continues. Board President Duane Wise underscored these advances and needs with statistical data.
Impassioned Guest Speaker Bonita Jones-Peabody Levarity from Miami, FL, illuminated her firm belief that the ability to read sets the stage for whatever a person desires to do in life.
Mrs. Levarity wears many titles as woman of God, wife, mother, adjunct professor, journalist, attorney and leader. She attributed her successes to her mother’s reading to her as a young child and instilling in her a love of reading in a setting that would otherwise be described as disadvantaged. Mrs. Levarity lauded Mary Jane Hender and the leaders of Reading Power for the necessary and important work they are doing.
To recognize the retirement of co-founder and former Executive Director Mary Jane Hender and her extraordinary contribution to improving the lives of North Chicago’s elementary students, North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham and Lake County Board Member Audrey Nixon both awarded Dr. Hender with Proclamations citing her many accomplishments.
A scrapbook tribute was also given to Dr. Hender which featured testimonials and personal letters of gratitude from the many dozens of individuals she touched through her work: students, tutors, teachers, principals and friends. Dr. Leroy Davis, South School Principal, Gloria Marron, first grade teacher at Greenbay School and tutor Jim Chomko all read their moving contributions. Dr. Hender, nearly speechless, humbly thanked all for their efforts on her behalf and more importantly for their work on behalf of North Chicago’s children, urging everyone to continue supporting Reading Power’s mission of instilling in each student a love of reading and writing.
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Leon Rockingham Jr.
Mayor, North Chicago
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