2026 Fall Newsletter Org-Wide

https://alwaysdream.org/ways-to-give/
Always Dream
Fall Newsletter

A New Chapter of Reading, Celebrating, and Giving Back
A new school year means new stories and plenty of excitement for our Always Reading families!
Across Hawaiʻi and Northern California, Always Reading is kicking off at 44 partner schools and 175 classrooms. From classroom launches to in-person and virtual family orientations, students and caregivers are meeting their dedicated Book Coaches and discovering all the ways they can make reading together part of their daily routines.
Along with their digital library, students receive hard-copy books to add to their home library.

Program Manager Terrie led an in-person family orientation at Kalihi Waena Elementary in September.
Our orientations also give families an opportunity to ask questions, explore the Epic digital library, and build connections with the Book Coaches who will support them throughout the school year.
Excitement is already building! As one caregiver shared during a recent virtual orientation:

30 Years of Stories That Inspire:
What a Night!
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD8EUz
What an unforgettable celebration of 30 years of Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream! Thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors, guests, and supporters, our 30th Anniversary Gala raised $778,000 to support our continued work with young readers and their families.
We’re so grateful to everyone who made this milestone celebration possible and helped us turn the page toward an exciting new chapter!
View Our Photo Gallery (https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD8EUz)

Save the Date – 2027 Hawaiʻi Dream Gala!
Join us at the Pacific Club in Honolulu for our 2027 Hawaiʻi Dream Gala – Saturday, April 24, 2027! Early bird discount on sponsorships and tickets coming January. Stay tuned!

Double Your Impact Before December 18th
https://givebutter.com/Eric-Brandenburg-Book-Match
Make your generosity go twice as far!
Through December 18th, Eric Lee Brandenburg’s birthday, gifts to the Eric Lee Brandenburg California Book Distribution will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $50,000 by the Brandenburg Family Foundation.
Your support can help put more books into the hands of California children, creating opportunities for families to read, learn, and dream together.
Double Your Gift – Donate Today (https://givebutter.com/Eric-Brandenburg-Book-Match)

Meet Our New Book Coaches!
Our Always Reading team is growing! This summer, we welcomed three wonderful new Book Coaches in Hawaiʻi: Seona, Larae, and Chan!
As Always Reading expands to reach more schools and families, we’re thoughtfully growing our team to ensure every family continues to receive the personalized guidance and encouragement that makes our program special. Each of our newest Book Coaches brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion for supporting children and families, and we’re so excited to have them on board!

30 Friends for Our 30th Anniversary
mailto:ken@alwaysdream.org
As Always Dream continues to celebrates our 30th anniversary, we are looking for 30 dedicated supporters to join us as our 30 Friends for Our 30th Anniversary. If you have ever wished you could do more for the young readers we serve, this is your opportunity.
From now through December 31, each Friend will have a personal peer-to-peer fundraising page and will raise funds on behalf of Always Dream by inviting their own network of family, friends, and colleagues to give, through social media, email, and conversation. By sharing why Always Dream matters to you, you can turn your circle of connection into a circle of support and open the door to reading for more children.
Our goal is to welcome at least 30 Friends before year-end, and every person who steps forward brings us closer. Will you be one of them?
To learn more, please contact Ken Levin, Director of Philanthropy, directly at ken@alwaysdream.org (mailto:ken@alwaysdream.org) . He would love to share how it works and help you get started.

A Day Full of Stories, Smiles, and Community!
Our 4th Annual Kristi Yamaguchi’s Family Literacy Festival brought families together for a fun-filled celebration of reading at the Children’s Discovery Museum of San José! From our first-ever Local Author Book Fair and special appearances by Mychal the Librarian to visits from San Jose Sharks players Alex Nedeljkovic and Darnell Nurse, the day was packed with memorable moments that celebrated the joy of stories and reading together.
Thank you to our wonderful partners, participating authors, special guests, and families who made this year’s festival so special!
Browse the Photos (https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD4jTh)

Lace Up Your Skates for a Great Cause
https://bishopranch.ticketspice.com/city-center-ice-rink-2026
The Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink at City Center Bishop Ranch is officially open for the season!
Gather your family and friends, enjoy some holiday fun on the ice, and support a great cause while you’re at it. A portion of the proceeds benefits Always Dream, making every visit an opportunity to support young readers and their families.
The rink is open through January 3, 2027, so there’s plenty of time to make some holiday memories!
Plan Your Visit (https://bishopranch.ticketspice.com/city-center-ice-rink-2026)

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Danville, CA 94526
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