RI Statewide Read Day Hits 10,000 Mark

“Is Your Hair Made of Donuts?” To Celebrate Nutrition Month

WARWICK, RI – (October 22, 2012) With the sign-up of over 100 schools, libraries, youth programs, health centers, and more, author Joy Feldman estimates over 10,000 Rhode Island children will hear how to make healthier food choices when teachers, parents, mayors, administrators and media celebrities take part in the Statewide Read Day of “Is Your Hair Made of Donuts?”.  The event recognizes March as National Nutrition Month and will take place on Monday, March 11, 2013 (Tuesday, March 12, 2013 in Warwick).  It is a unique event of synergy in celebrating good health for children.

Schools and youth programs are committing to reading aloud from Feldman’s book, “Is Your Hair Made of Donuts?”. Once a location has signed up, local celebrities, parents, faculty and officials are being recruited to help in this large effort.  The STATEWIDE READ DAY is suitable for schools, libraries, youth programs and any other group that may want to join in this simultaneous reading which delivers the important message to young children that “they are what they eat”.

Communities who have signed up as a whole are:  Central Falls, Narragansett, Scituate, Foster-Glocester, Burrillville, Lincoln, Westerly, Tiverton, Exeter-West Greenwich, North Smithfield and Smithfield.  All Dr. Daycare Centers have registered, with locations in Pawtucket, Cumberland, Foster, Smithfield and North Smithfield.  Numerous parochial and private schools as well as community “Y’s” and Boys & Girls Clubs, community health centers, and libraries are on board as well.

Special readers secured to date are:  RI Department of Health Director Dr. Michael Fine, and members of the Health Dept. staff; Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts; Providence Mayor Angel Taveras; Cranston Mayor Alan Fung; Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien; Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian & Warwick Rep. Frank Ferri; Everett Hoag, designer of the program’s signature donut hat; Judge Janette Bertness, Bristol; Dr. Beth Rocchio, East Greenwich, United Natural Foods (UNFI) staff, and NBC10 traffic & technology reporter Molly O’Brien;

Corporate sponsors, to date, are Sodexo, United Natural Foods (UNFI), and Whole Foods Market.  Sponsorships help to provide support and funding for books and events at various schools.  The East Providence Boys & Girls Club is also providing administrative support.

Joy Feldman, RI author and nutritional consultant is planning the event as a holistic act of positive community energy, with the goal of having the smallest state in the union have the biggest heart in participation.  Feldman reads from her book “Is Your Hair Made Of Donuts?” throughout RI and the United States.  Known for her trademark two-foot high donut hat, which she uses to capture the attention of children to deliver her powerful message of healthy eating, Feldman says, “In addition to calling attention to the ever-increasing childhood obesity epidemic the all-state read demonstrates a joint act of support on behalf of our young people. Our READ DAY is something all educational institutions, non-profits, libraries, and community health centers can do to encourage children’s interest in learning more about healthy eating.  The all-state read aloud for children is targeted for children from preschool through grades 5/6.”

There is little or no cost to participate, with just one book needed for reading purposes.  If programs sign up early, there is a possibility that local sponsors could be secured to provide books for the children, and guest readers can be recruited. Registration can be made by going onto the website: www.joyfeldman.com or www.isyourhairmadeofdonuts.com, or emailing author Joy Feldman directly at joy@joyfeldman.com.

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Avatar About the Author: The Rhode Island Small Business Journal is a printed monthly magazine and an online resource for the aspiring and start-up entrepreneur and small business owner.

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