Northeast Region Events

Washington, D.C.

In Washington, D.C., the Pearson Foundation donated books to enable all pre-K and kindergarten teachers to read to their classes throughout the District of Columbia Public Schools. As a result, thousands of schoolchildren from more than fifty preschools across the District of Columbia and Prince George’s County took part on October 8.

The day began at the Washington Nationals baseball stadium, where the Washington Nationals and the Pearson Foundation hosted a special reading celebration for children whose family members are part of the U.S. military. More than 300 preschoolers and their teachers attended – all from schools served by the United Service Organizations (USO) – as well as senior representatives from the USO and from military bases in the region, education leaders, and local and national civic officials.

Then, for the first time, the Pearson Foundation and Jumpstart created and hosted a reading event specifically for our nation’s lawmakers. Read for the Record on the Hill took place in the Capitol Visitor Center, drawing sixteen representatives and senators, including Senator Charles Grassley and Representative Patrick Kennedy, to join in a reading celebration with young children who received their own copies of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and took part in themed activities.

Boston

People from Pearson’s two Boston offices attended a kick-off event at the Boston Public Library, sponsored by the Pearson Foundation and Jumpstart. Pearson’s own Sandi Kirshner was on hand to lead Pearson employees, Jumpstart Corps members, and hundreds of area preschoolers in a variety of caterpillar-themed craft activities.

In the afternoon, Pearson people split their time and co-hosted two separate events where more than 600 children participated in large group readings of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and engaged in related craft activities. City Council President Mike Ross and “Voice of Fenway Park” Carl Beane served as the VIP guest readers at Hill House, a nonprofit community organization that provides safe, high-quality programs, events, and outreach activities to enrich the lives of families living in Boston. Meanwhile, at Children’s Hospital Boston, Pearson people kicked off an event with a reading from Children’s Hospital CEO Dr. James Mandell. Pearson’s Linda Davis and other employees from the Boston office worked with the patients to make their own caterpillar antennas!

Pearson contacts: Keryn Broydrick (Boylston), Lauren Checchi (Boylston), Amanda Wall (Arlington)

Hadley

In Hadley, Pearson people read to dozens of children at local schools on October 8. The next day, volunteers teamed up with the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Art to continue the celebration of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record. More than 300 attendees enjoyed this free event, which included a large group reading of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, caterpillar-themed activities, and an appearance from The Very Hungry Caterpillar himself!

Pearson contact: Megan Grzybowski

Camden

In Camden, the Pearson Foundation donated books throughout the local schools. Pearson’s Rick Culp and Doug McCollum led a kick-off event that included reading and themed activities; then volunteers engaged children across Camden, reading in area schools and on the Rutgers campus.

Cranbury

Pearson people from the Cranbury office volunteered at Better Beginnings Day Care Center, a nonprofit organization founded 34 years ago to provide affordable child care for working families in the Hightstown-East Windsor area of Mercer County. One hundred twenty children received their very own copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, as well as stickers, bookmarks, and certificates.

Pearson contact: Gisell Carpio (Warehouse), Wanda Butchee (Distribution Center)

East Rutherford

Pearson people from Penguin’s East Rutherford office hosted six Read for the Record events across the region that engaged more than 400 young people over the course of the day. In every location, Pearson people read to the eager young participants and assisted with caterpillar-related arts and crafts activities for the children to enjoy.

Pearson contact: Jennie Galasso

Old Tappan

Volunteers at Pearson Old Tappan took part in a Read for the Record event at KinderCare Preschool. A dozen volunteers read to 100 children in two large groups. After the reading, the children broke into smaller groups to make a variety of caterpillar-themed crafts, including their very own bookmark to go with the copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar they received from the volunteers.

Pearson contact: Cara Sirangelo

Trenton

In Trenton, working alongside the National Sales Team, Pearson people from the Cranbury office helped to set the new world record by volunteering for an event at the New Jersey State Museum, where the auditorium was decorated with “Very Hungry Caterpillar” murals and caterpillar pictures. Through a partnership with the Trenton District Public Schools, Pearson volunteers were able to share the story with approximately 400 children at the museum venue.

Pearson’s Chenai Okammor kicked off the event by introducing New Jersey Commissioner of Education Lucille Davy and Superintendent of Trenton Public Schools Rodney Lofton. After a large group reading, the children left the event with their very own Read for the Record backpack, which included a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar as well as stickers, bookmarks, and certificates of participation.

Upper Saddle River

Led by Pearson’s Yolanda de Rooy, sixteen Pearson people from the Upper Saddle River office brought Read for the Record to eight classrooms at Turrell Child Development and Early Learning Center / Children’s Aid and Family Services. Two hundred fifty children, from toddlers to kindergartners, were excited to hear the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, get their “I Set a World Record” stickers and certificates, and take home a copy of the special campaign edition of the book. Over the years, children at Turrell have been a part of each Read for the Record celebration; and both Pearson people and Turrell staff look forward to this annual record-setting event each year.

Pearson contact: Anne Adamo

Binghamton

In Binghamton, Pearson people from the Kirkwood Distribution Center read to 435 children at the Binghamton University Nature Preserve. Volunteers led various arts and crafts activities, passed out refreshments, and joined the children during a reading by Star Latronica, Director of the Four County Library System. Then Binghamton University Environmental Studies students, with support of Pearson volunteers, led the children on a guided tour of the nature preserve, where they observed many species including frogs, geese, salamanders, and (fittingly) caterpillars, as well as a true beaver dam and beaver lodge.

New York State Senator Tom Libous issued a proclamation declaring October 8, 2009, “Read for the Record Day” in the 52nd Senate District.

Pearson contact: Fran Corea

New York City

In New York City, Read for the Record began well before October 8, as Madison Avenue volunteers hosted a fundraiser in the lobby of their building with the proceeds going to support Jumpstart! Also, the Pearson Foundation donated copies of The Very Hungry Caterpillar so that all 65,000 pre-K and kindergarten students could take part on October 8.

The record-breaking day again kicked off at Rockefeller Center with an early-morning reading event on NBC’s TODAY show. Hosts Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira launched the day of reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar with the help of celebrity guest stars including author Eric Carle, actors Vince Vaughn and Mary-Louise Parker, Jumpstart President James Cleveland, and Pearson’s own Bill Barke!

Following the TODAY broadcast, readings took place all over New York City. At the Brooklyn Public Library, preschool children heard the story of the ravenous caterpillar from celebrity readers including pop star (and judge of MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew”) Lil Mama, Redbook Editor-in-Chief Stacy Morrison, and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. Several other Read for the Record events were celebrated in Queens and Harlem, and at noon, the Empire State Building was lit orange and white to commemorate the campaign! Eric Carle, James Cleveland, and singer Justin Bieber flipped the switch to light up the iconic building in support of early literacy and this record-breaking campaign.

Volunteers from the Avenue of the Americas office, the Madison Avenue office, and the Hudson Street office made this busy day in New York City possible.

Pearson contacts: Stacy Heit (Madison), Naila Mahmood (Hudson), Samantha Morales (Avenue of the Americas)

White Plains

In White Plains, Pearson people read to almost 200 children during morning and afternoon celebrations at White Plains Public Library.

Pearson contact: Michelle Pedrosa

Bala Cynwyd

Volunteers from the Pearson VUE office in Bala Cynwyd partnered with Jumpstart Philadelphia in Head Start classrooms at four Philadelphia schools. Pearson people read The Very Hungry Caterpillar to more than 200 preschoolers, made caterpillars out of egg cartons and paper chains, and made many, many sets of antennae. Some of the volunteer comments that were overheard included: “This is my favorite part of the whole year!” “I think I got more back from the kids than they got from me.” “I loved it! I’ll definitely do it again next year.” “I have such respect for those teachers!” “Kids give adults a fresh perspective in so many ways.” “I enjoyed looking at the children’s little faces light up with wonderful smiles.” “This was a real highlight for me.” “I just loved every minute of it.”

Pearson contact: Rachel Eslinger

Pittston

Pearson people at Penguin’s Distribution Center in Pittston worked with the Commission on Economic Opportunity again this year to host an event at their preschool. This center serves children through the sixth grade by providing after-school programs, education-based activities, help with homework, and a nutritious dinner. More 100 children were on hand.

Pearson contact: Bob Silvi