Spread the Word Nevada Brings the Magic of Books to Cambeiro Elementary School

December 10, 2010 - About 680 students at Arturo Cambeiro Elementary School in Las Vegas are now the lucky recipients of literacy services from Spread the Word Nevada. And, as you'll see, they're thrilled about that!

On Dec. 10, 2010, a kick-off ceremony was held at Cambeiro Elementary. The school adoption was made possible through a $25,000 donation by The Tony and Renee Marlon Charitable Foundation.

Brad Marlon (below), a Boardmember of The Tony and Renee Marlon Charitable Foundation, attended the Dec. 10 event, and as a representative of the foundation was given a Certificate of Commendation by Michael Vannozzi from the office of U.S. Senator Harry Reid.

Below, from left, are Lisa Habighorst, Spread the Word Nevada Executive Director; Brad Marlon, The Tony and Renee Marlon Charitable Foundation; Susan Miller, Spread the Word Nevada Chairman of the Board and Laurie Hartig, Spread the Word Nevada Founder and Program Director.

Also at the event was Chase Clement, a Las Vegas Locomotives quarterback (photo below). He spoke to students during two assemblies, stressing the importance of reading and expanding one's imagination through books.

After the assemblies, Cambeiro Elementary students received a book bag and selected five books to start home libraries.

Students and their families will continue to receive books on a monthly basis. In addition, Spread the Word Nevada will provide family literacy breakfasts (through its "Breakfast With Books" program) and reading mentor services (through its "Books & Buddies" program).

"On behalf of the students, families, and staff of Arturo Cambeiro Elementary School, we are elated to be a part of Spread the Word Nevada's Kids to Kids program. In these rough economic times, families are struggling to meet the basic needs of providing the basics of shelter and food. Thanks to the generous grant from The Tony and Renee Marlon Charitable Foundation, the gift of literacy can now feed the minds of our students," stated Patty Rosales, Principal of Cambeiro Elementary School (pictured, below left).

Rosales continued, "With support from the community, we are better able to meet our goals of academic excellence and provide a better future for our students. Our students will be able to grow their personal libraries and watch it grow each month. Families will be able to participate and learn more about encouraging literacy at monthly gatherings. For students that are struggling with learning basic skills, tutors will give those students the extra boost they need to become successful."

Below, the staff of Spread the Word Nevada! It takes a lot of people, with giant hearts, to bring literacy to at-risk children in Southern Nevada.

Arturo Cambeiro Elementary School is the 22nd school "adopted" by Spread the Word Nevada.

Photos by Scott Roeben.