The Jean Graetz Literacy Fund

The Big Surprise!

We, Jeannie’s children, were trying to cook up a special surprise to celebrate our mom’s graduation, and we realized she wouldn’t much appreciate something that would benefit only her. She has dedicated her whole life to helping others, so we came up with the perfect tribute.

From the time she was a young girl, our mom has had a deep love of books and reading. When asked what she plans to do after graduation, she enthusiastically talks about her passion for children’s literacy and her desire to help struggling readers. Mom knows that teaching a child to read will open endless possibilities. She especially wants to help children discover the absolute joy she has found in books.

We want to help bring our mom’s passion to fruition. To this end, we started the

Jeannie Graetz Literacy Fund

The fund will be under the auspices of the Graetz Foundation. In keeping with the goals of the Graetz Foundation, the mission of the Jeannie Graetz Literacy fund is to focus attention on literacy — especially for young, at-risk students who are struggling readers — by providing engaging literacy opportunities, support, and materials that will enhance students’ ability to participate in the wonderful world of words, opening doors that will allow them to soar.

The first project of the Jeannie Graetz Literacy Fund will be to start a pilot program — an after-school program called “Jeannie Graetz’s After School Adventures” for beginning readers at ED Nixon School, a Public Elementary School in Montgomery, AL. This particular school is near and dear to Jeannie’s heart, as she has been volunteering and doing student teaching there for the past few years.

Be a part of the Jeannie Graetz Legacy!

There are many ways you can help. If you are interested in helping to feed the Jeannie Graetz Literacy Fund through a monetary or in-kind donation, please follow the links below. Any little bit will be greatly appreciated!

We will be revealing our plans and this website to our mother in May, the afternoon after Mother’s Day, when all of her children and several grandchildren will be present. We are planning a special reception at ED Nixon School that afternoon. We will keep you posted on the details, but in the meantime, please don’t breathe a word of this to our parents until after Monday, May 13th, 2013! Be sure to click on the “updates” tab below to add your name to receive important updates.

Donate to the Jeannie Graetz Literacy Fund