Friends -

Back in April, I had an idea -- raise money to make sure that low-income kids stuck at home have books to read while schools and libraries are closed. So today, I want to share a quick update with you before asking you to make a donation to expand this program.

We got an outpouring of support, and we launched our program in three different communities in Connecticut. To date, we've given nearly 40,000 books to kids. That is incredible.

We've distributed books for kids from Pre-K all the way through 8th grade. Books in English and Spanish. We're making an intentional effort to curate books from diverse voices. In these difficult times, access to reading can be life-changing for so many.

But with schools and libraries still closed, I think it's important that we not only continue this work but expand it.

Will you make a $3 donation to Read to Grow today to help expand our book distribution program to three more communities in Connecticut? This program is already making a big impact on so many kids' lives, and I know we can do even more.

When stay-at-home orders were being implemented, the fact that half of low-income families with children have no books at home got me really worried.

I am grateful that so many people like you got behind this idea to help us launch a program bigger than we ever dreamed.

I had a chance to meet and talk with some of these families. The joy and gratitude was infectious. So many of them didn't have any books at home -- half of low-income families don't own any books. Zero. Now, these kids will have a book to call their own.

So here's what I want to do next: If we can raise enough money, we'll expand this program into three more communities -- Waterbury, Bristol, and Middletown.

With that, we'll be able to put books in the hands of low-income high school students as well. And we want to take additional steps to provide literature that helps these young people participate in the important racial justice conversations happening across our nation.

It would mean a lot to me if you could help us continue expanding this program. What do you say?

If you can afford it, please make a $3 donation to Read to Grow today, and together, we'll put books in the hands of thousands of more kids.

40,000 books distributed so far. That's what you've helped us do, and that's just the start.

Thank you in advance for making a donation to keep this important work going.

Every best wish,

Chris Murphy


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