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🍉July News🎆
A Note From the Team
Happy July, South Sound Reading Community!
Summer is officially in full swing, and things are buzzing here at the South Sound Reading Foundation. If you’ve stepped outside lately, you know the days are bright - but honestly, our hearts are feeling even brighter thanks to all of you.
As you know, this is our landmark 25th Anniversary Year, and it is shaping up to be one for the history books. We are still riding the high from March, when we officially gave away our one-millionth book! Reaching that milestone was a dream decades in the making, but we aren't slowing down.
Take a look at the graphic above to see exactly how much love, literacy, and learning we bundled up and sent out into the community just last month. Every single one of those books donated, site visits made, and deliveries completed represents a child discovering the joy of reading.
We have some incredibly thrilling news to share: our brand-new book van is officially on its way! We are utterly blown away by the generosity of this community. When we put out the call for help to fund this new vehicle, you all pulled together in the most magnificent way to make it a reality. Because of your donations, advocacy, and shared belief in our mission, this new van will soon be hitting the pavement - bringing stories, imagination, and critical literacy resources straight to the neighborhoods that need them most. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜📚
Save the Date!
Mark Your Calendars: Books by the Bay is Back!🌊
Friday, September 11th, 2026
5:30 - 8:30 PM
Olympia Golf and Country Club
As you map out the rest of your summer adventures, make sure to save a spot on your calendar this fall. Our signature event, Books by the Bay, is officially returning this September!
We are absolutely thrilled to announce this year’s guest of honor: the brilliant Olufunke Grace Bankole, author of the critically acclaimed, stunning debut novel The Edge of Water. We cannot wait to host her for what promises to be an unforgettable evening.
Beyond an incredible author conversation, we’re pulling out all the stops for a spectacular night by the bay. Get ready for:
Live music 🎶
Delicious heavy appetizers and signature cocktails 🍸
Our thrilling Silent Auction 🏷️
The return of the famous Punch Wall 🥊
And, of course, Blind Date With a Book! 📚
Keep a close eye on your inbox and our social media channels over the coming weeks, as we’ll be sharing ticket information and exclusive event details very soon.
Summer Reading Challenge!
Craft a Lifelong Reader This Summer!🎨📚
School might be out, but reading is officially in with our brand-new Craft-a-Reader Summer Reading Challenge! This year, we’re turning reading into a creative adventure. Kids will receive a challenge board filled with fun, unique prompts, and their goal is to check off each completed reading task with a big X. Whether they are reading on a bumpy car ride, diving into a mythical tale about dragons, devouring a book with food in the title, sharing a story about friendship, or even reading aloud to a favorite pet or stuffed animal, this challenge is all about making literacy playful and engaging. It’s the perfect way to prevent the "summer slide" while building a genuine love for books. Swing by a South Sound Reading Foundation event to pick up your child's challenge board (or download here) and start crafting a reader today!
Adult Summer Reading Adventure!
Who Says Kids Get to Have All the Fun? 📚
We all know how vital summer reading is for kids, but we think the grown-ups deserve a little literary adventure, too! This season, we’re challenging our South Sound community of adults to shake up their reading routines, connect with the local literary scene, and embrace the joy of reading just for fun.
To cap off your adventure, we want to help you get ready for Books by the Bay this September! For this challenge item, dive into the work of our incredible featured author, Olufunke Grace Bankole, and read her captivating book, The Edge of Water.
Send us your completed checklist to be entered into a drawing for2 free tickets to:
Ready to play? Download your checklist HERE (or click on the photo above) and jump in. Let’s show the kids how it’s done!
Volunteer and Book Drive News
Our Summer Social for our amazing volunteers was so sweet! ☀️🥂 A huge thank you to each and every one of you who devote your time, energy, resources, and love to the South Sound Reading Foundation.
This dedicated group always goes above and beyond, truly making our organization feel like a family. We are so honored to have your presence, skills, and big hearts with us on this journey. We couldn't do this important work for our community's youth without you! 📚❤️
🍻Your Favorite Pint with a Purpose
Next time you’re heading out for a drink, don't forget that you can support our mission at bothMount Olympus Brewing locations! The delicious Page-Turner Wheat is a staple on tap at Tumwater Taps and Mount Olympus in Aberdeen. A percentage of every pour goes directly toward getting books into the hands and hearts of local kids. Stop by either lively spot this week, enjoy a pint, and keep supporting our region's young readers!
📕📗📘📙📔 Learn more about Mount Olympus Brewinghere or click on the photo above!
Teacher Resource Day
Looking to stock your classroom library?We've got you covered here atSSRF with books for all ages! If you are in need of books or teaching materials, please feel free to come to our Teacher Resource Day on the Second Saturday of Every Month from 11am to 2pm.Any and all teachers, prospective teachers, or homeschooling parents are welcome to come to our office at 200 Sleater-Kinney Rd. NE, Olympia WA 98506
Member Spotlight
Kandy Watters 🌺
Kandy Watters believes life is best enjoyed through meaningful experiences, lifelong learning, and time spent with the people who matter most. An avid reader, she loves getting lost in a good book and appreciates the way stories can inspire, educate, and connect us. Whether she's reading on a quiet afternoon, relaxing at home with her giant ragdoll cat, Fluffy, spending a day out on the water with her husband, or creating lasting memories with family and friends, Kandy embraces the simple joys that enrich everyday life. Entrepreneurial by nature, Kandy has always enjoyed building relationships and serving her community. When her children were young, she owned and operated a mobile hot dog stand in downtown Olympia, where her friendly personality and strong work ethic made her a familiar face to many. Those experiences helped shape the people-first approach she carries with her today. A devoted mother of three and proud grandmother of one, Kandy has long believed that strong communities are built through service and connection. She volunteers at the Olympia Yacht Club, regularly attends local fundraising events, and enjoys representing Panowicz Jewelers in support of organizations that make a positive impact throughout the South Sound. Her commitment to youth and education also led her to serve as an active member of the Capital High School Booster Club while her children were in school. Today, as Vice President of Panowicz Jewelers, Kandy brings the same warmth, entrepreneurial spirit, and genuine love for people to the family business. She is passionate about building meaningful relationships, supporting local organizations, and giving back to the community that has supported Panowicz Jewelers for generations. As a lifelong reader, Kandy is especially honored to support the South Sound Reading Foundation and its mission to foster a love of reading in children throughout our community. She believes that every book has the power to spark imagination, build confidence, and open doors to a lifetime of opportunity.
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