When- Friday, April 30th, 2010 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. (We will be accepting donations, however, throughout the month of May.)

Where- Hewitt School Library, New York, NY

What- A fundraising variation on a Walk-A-Thon with 12 hours of non-stop reading

Why- To raise money for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D), a charity, which aids children and adults with print disabilities by providing them with recorded books

Who- Led by Levi and Skye Malik, many students from the Collegiate School, the Hewitt School, and various other Manhattan Independent Schools

My family has had past and present experience with print disabilities, particularly dyslexia. My grandfather, Leo Corey, suffers from dyslexia. In the 1930’s when he was in school, however, such learning disabilities went undiagnosed. As a result, he suffered from low self-esteem and was unable to complete high school. It was only after I was diagnosed with dyslexia in 2005 that my grandfather admitted even to his own family that he has had trouble reading his entire life. I am grateful that I am growing up in a time when the causes and effects of dyslexia are better understood. I am currently a member of RFB&D, which provides me with books (including my science and history textbooks) on CD. These CDs help me complete my homework quickly and more efficiently and boost my self-esteem. RFB&D’s recorded books allow me to just enjoy the gift of reading, and I will definitely remain an active member for years to come.
-Skye Malik, age 13, 7th grader at the Hewitt School

Having witnessed firsthand the stress and difficulties a dyslexic child can have with learning, I realize the impact of this organization. I have volunteered for over two years at the RFB&D New York Unit and learned the process by which books are recorded. In March 2009, I visited the RFB&D National Headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey to discuss plans for the Read-A-Thon. I was fortunate enough to meet the President and CEO of RFB&D, John Kelly. I would like to thank Margaret Guellich, who welcomed me to the National Headquarters and is assisting me with our Read-A-Thon again this year. I have formed a club at my school, Collegiate, to support RFB&D and their efforts; we are putting on a bake sale to raise money for the 2010 Read-A-Thon. This is my third year of leading a Read-A-Thon to benefit RFB&D, and I would like to thank all the RFB&D employees and all the students from Collegiate and other schools that have been so helpful in setting these up. Our last two Read-a-Thons have been huge successes, and this year, with my sister's school, Hewitt, taking an extremely active role, the 2010 Read-a-Thon should be even more successful. Please help out if you are able!
-Levi Malik, age 18, 12th grader at Collegiate School

To learn more about RFB&D, please go to the Links page of this website. Please consider making a donation to the Read-A-Thon for RFB&D and feel free to pass this website onto your family, friends, or anyone you know. No amount is too small or too large; every dollar will help. You can either donate by using PayPal, by sending us a check, or by giving us your donation in person. More information about donations can be found on the Donations page of this website. Your contribution will be greatly appreciated both by RFB&D as well as all of its members.
Also, please feel free to sign the guestbook!

Thank you,
Levi and Skye Malik

Special recognition goes to ALEX SUAREZ, Co-President of the "Learning through Listening Club" at Collegiate School. He and Levi have worked side-by-side to make this Read-A-Thon a success. Alex's devotion to this effort is appreciated by all who participate.

We would like the thank the following kids for their incredible support of our Read-A-Thon. These students have raised at least $250 and will receive a certificate from RFB&D for their efforts.
WILL BARTLETT (12th Grade Collegiate)
HALEY GEWANDTER (12th Grade Brearley)
MAC WILKINSON (12th Grade Collegiate)
IAN WILKINSON (9th Grade Collegiate)
DEVON HARFORD (7th Grade Hewitt)
LIZZIE GRUBMAN (7th Grade Hewitt)
JULIA BARASCH (5th Grade Hewitt)