Amanda Pinto

Grace Halbert

and

Kelly Young

1105 Fitzpatrick Avenue Opelika, AL Office: (334) 749-5631 Fax: (334) 741-0510 http://www.jeandeanrif.org/

BACKGROUNDER

Jean Dean RIF (Reading is Fundamental) was started in 1990 by Cathy Dean Gafford and

her father Joe Dean as a part of the Kiwanis International Young Children (0-5). Jean Dean RIF

is names after Cathy’s mother who passed away shortly after the start of the program.

Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. is the oldest children's literacy organization in the United

States. It is a nationwide non-profit which brings children and books together to help young

people acquire the habit of reading. RIF does more than help local sponsors distribute books to

children, it develops a better-educated, more informed public.

This particular RIF provides over 75,000 quality, age-appropriate books to over 25,000

at-risk young children in Head Starts, Even Starts, state sponsored daycares and early

intervention sites in every county in Alabama every year. Jean Dean RIF has made an in-kind

donation since 1991 of over $10 million to programs served which has justified over $40 million

in grants to increase the benefits to these at-risk young children and their families.

Today, Jean Dean RIF is hard at work planning their annual Truel Watts Ride to Read

Poker Run event that has proven to be a huge success in previous years.

Contact: Cathy Gafford, Director of Jean Dean RIF (334) 749-5631 jeandeanrif@bellsouth.net

###

Jean Dean

Reading Is Fundamental P.O. Box 848 Opelika, AL

(334) 749-5631 www.jeandeanrif.org

Joe Dean Founder

Joe Dean is the founder of Jean Dean RIF (Reading is Fundamental) the signature service project of the Alabama Kiwanis Foundation. He was born on Oct. 27, 1922 in Opelika, Ala. and has lived there his entire life. He graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts in agricultural economics. He married Jean Torbet and they had two children together, Joe Dean Jr. and Cathy Gafford.

After college, Dean took over his family’s insurance and real estate brokerage business working there until he was about 80 years old. In his spare time he maintained his family farm and kept a close relationship with his two kids. He was pack master for a cub scout group earning the highest ranking honor an adult can receive called the Silver Beaver. He was a deacon at the First Presbyterian Church of Opelika and volunteered to teach Sunday school. In his spare time he cheers on the Auburn tiger and he loves to read mystery novels, history and the funnies. Dean also enjoys playing with and reading to his three grandchildren and great grandson.

Dean is very involved in the Alabama Kiwanis Foundation. He held many positions including president, lieutenant governor and Governor of the Alabama District of Kiwanis. From 1990 to 1991 when he served as governor Dean started the Jean Dean RIF service project. He named the program after his wife, Jean Torbet Dean who died in 1990. The program was created to help children specifically at risk children, ages 0 through 5, to develop mentally by reading books.

Since the start of the program Dean as been very involved in the program. Dean helped pack 75,000 books every year until 2007. He continues to contribute by cutting the grass and maintaining the grounds around the Jean Dean RIF warehouse, attends advisory board meetings and speaks on behalf of the RIF program. He has received many honors for his hard work with the program including the Anne Richardson RIF Volunteer of the Year Award and one from the Head Start Association.

###

Jean Dean

Reading Is Fundamental P.O. Box 848 Opelika, AL

(334) 749-5631 www.jeandeanrif.org

Harriette Huggins Volunteer

Harriette Huggins is a volunteer at Jean Dean RIF (Reading is Fundamental), the signature

service project of the Alabama Kiwanis Foundation. Huggins first got involved in RIF in 1995,

when she was employed by The Girl Scout Council. Cathy Gafford, director of Jean Dean RIF,

was a Girl Scout leader with Huggins. Her first conversation with Gafford was about starting up

the new year in scouting. Throughout the conversation she told Huggins about RIF and how it

operated. At the time Huggins’ daughter, Jana, who was a Girl Scout, was working toward her

Gold Award and needed a project to work on. Huggins introduced her daughter to Gafford who

became her advisor on the project. Because her daughter could not drive, Huggins was her

transportation and one of the event participants.

Huggins has done a little bit of everything for RIF. She supervised labeling events when Gafford

had another engagements; pulled orders for shipment; second counted orders; packed orders;

delivered books to local centers; organized silent auctions at Alabama District Kiwanis meetings;

helped construct walls when RIF moved to their warehouse; and assisted with registration at

Ride to Read and Run to Read events. Huggins is also a member of the RIF Advisory Board.

When Huggins is not volunteering at Jean Dean RIF, she is working at Auburn University in the

Learning Resource Center (LRC) which serves the College of Education and the College of

Liberal Arts. She is also an advisor for her sorority Kappa Alpha Theta.

###

Jean Dean

Reading Is Fundamental P.O. Box 848 Opelika, AL

(334) 749-5631 www.jeandeanrif.org

Motorcycle riding and at risk children spark a fundraising event

Truel Dwight Watts was an important contributing factor of Jean Dean RIF

(Reading is Fundamental), the signature service project of the Alabama Kiwanis

Foundation. His passion for riding motorcycles and the desire to help under

privileged children ages 0 to 5 sparked a fundraising idea to start a poker run. Watts

named the event “Ride to Read.”

A poker run is when motorcyclists are given a map with five different

locations on it. They travel as a group to each destination where they receive a

playing card. By the end of the route, the riders will have a total of five cards

equaling a hand of poker. Whoever holds the best hand at the end of the ride wins a

prize. The registration fees and sponsorship contributions go directly to the RIF

program.

After Watts passed away on June 19, 2005, at the age of 61, RIF decided to

rename the event in his memory, the Truel Watts Ride to Read Poker Run.

“His goal was to encourage motorcycle riders to take their hobby and do it

for good, “ wife Sylvia Watts said.

Watts and his wife have been active participants and helpers of the Kiwanis

Foundation since the program began in 1991. Together they shared doing Kiwanis

work for children. Even though Watts is no longer with us, Sylvia continues to be an

active Kiwanian in the Millbrook-Coosada club. She is currently serving on the RIF

Advisory Board.

“Sylvia has continued the great tradition of helping children which was

started as a joint venture of the Watts.” Said RIF Director Cathy Gafford.

When Watts was not busy helping with RIF and his poker run, he helped

Sylvia raise their two daughters, Melissa and Erica. To provide for his family, Watts

worked for the City of Millbrook for 17 years. While employed by the city he was a

building inspector and later held the position of director of planning and

engineering.

Watts also made time for his hobby and passion for riding motorcycles. He

belonged to the Chapter Q Gold Wing Road Riders Association, an organization for

owners and riders of Honda Gold Wing/Valkyrie motorcycles. The association

provides cyclists with a magazine, roadside assistance, insurance ideas, trips and a

social network for fellow riders.

This summer, June 12, marks the 4th annual Truel Watts Ride to Read Poker

Run. For more information, contact Cathy Gafford at 334-749-5631 or send an e-

mail to jeandeanrif@bellsouth.net.

###

Jean Dean

Reading Is Fundamental P.O. Box 848 Opelika, AL

(334) 749-5631 www.jeandeanrif.org

News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 5, 2010

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Cathy Dean Gafford

Executive Director Office: (334) 749-5631

Fax: (334) 741-0510 jeandeanrif@bellsouth.net

JEAN DEAN RIF HOSTS 4TH ANNUAL RIDE TO READ

The 2010 Truel Watts Ride to Read Poker Run is scheduled for June 12 and will benefit

Jean Dean Reading is Fundamental (RIF) in Opelika, Ala. Proceeds from the event will help

provide books to more than 25,000 kids this year, 90 percent of whom do not have another book

in their home.

“The Poker Run encourages motorcycle riders to use their hobby for good, while having

fun in the process,” said Cathy Gafford, Jean Dean RIF’s Executive Director.

During the Poker Run, participants will visit five stations, each sponsored by a local

business, and draw a playing card at each. The rider with the best poker hand at the final stop

will win a grand prize. This year’s prize, donated by Big Swamp Harley-Davidson, will be a

leather jacket.

- More -

Jean Dean RIF’s Ride to Read 2 – 2 – 2 The Poker Run will begin at Big Swamp Harley-Davidson, 1201 Fox Run Parkway in

Opelika, at 9 a.m. with registration. The first bike will leave at 9:30 a.m. on its way to the first

stop and the last rider is expected to arrive back at Big Swamp at 1 p.m.

During the event, Outback Steakhouse will be catering lunch. Riders will also be able to

participate in a silent auction, enjoy bike games and take advantage of discounts at Big Swamp.

To participate or make a donation, visit www.jeandeanrif.org and click the “Ride to

Read” link. A $25 donation covers one poker hand, a T-shirt and lunch; $30 will cover three

poker hands, a T-shirt and lunch; and $15 covers a passenger, who will also receive a T-shirt and

lunch.

RIF’s Ride to Read was started by RIF Advisory Board member Truel Watts. After his

death, the event was renamed the Truel Watts Ride to Read to honor the past Kiwanis governor.

Now held annually in Opelika, Watt’s wife and Advisory Board member Sylvia Watts assists

with the event.

Jean Dean RIF is the largest RIF project in the nation and provides more than 75,000

books to more than 25,000 at-risk young children in Head Starts, Even Starts, state sponsored

daycares and early intervention sites across Alabama each year. Jean Dean RIF was started in

1990 by Cathy Dean Gafford, Director of Jean Dean RIF, and her father, Joe Dean, as a part of

the Kiwanis International Young Children (0-5): Priority One Project and is named in honor of

Dean’s wife, Jean Torbert Dean.

###

Jean Dean

Reading Is Fundamental P.O. Box 848 Opelika, AL

(334) 749-5631 www.jeandeanrif.org

News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 5, 2010

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Cathy Dean Gafford

Executive Director Office: (334) 749-5631

Fax: (334) 741-0510 jeandeanrif@bellsouth.net

RIDE TO READ EVENT RAISES $5,000 FOR JEAN DEAN RIF

On June 12, motorcycle riders came to Auburn from across the state and

surrounding areas to participate in the 2010 Truel Watts Ride to Read Poker Run to benefit

Opelika’s Jean Dean Reading is Fundamental (RIF). The annual 60 mile poker run began at Big

Swamp Harley Davidson and traveled to Chewacla State Park, Lee County Lake and Shelton

Fireworks. This year’s event brought in a record breaking amount of money for the organization

that provides books to at-risk preschoolers.

During the event, a silent auction was held. Several items, including a four day trip to

Panama City Beach, were auctioned off. All of the proceeds will go to continuing Jean Dean

RIF’s work. The riders enjoyed a lunch at Big Swamp provided by Outback Steakhouse.

- More -

Jean Dean RIF’s Ride to Read 2 – 2 – 2 The event ran smoothly because of help from volunteers from the Kiwanis Clubs of

Opelika, Auburn and Greater Auburn, Circle K groups from Auburn University and Southern

Union Community College, Xi Beta Iota chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, the Opelika-Auburn News

and other local organizations.

Sponsors of the event included Davis-Dyar, Flowers Baking Company, M&M Trucking,

Opelika-Auburn News and Thompson Carriers, among others.

RIF’s Ride to Read was begun by RIF Advisory Board member, Truel Watts. After his

death, the event was renamed the Truel Watts Ride to Read to honor the past Kiwanis governor.

Now held annually in Opelika, Advisory Board member Sylvia Watts assists with the event.

Jean Dean RIF is the largest RIF project in the nation and provides more than 75,000

books to more than 25,000 at-risk young children in Head Starts, Even Starts, state sponsored

daycares and early intervention sites across Alabama each year. Jean Dean RIF was started in

1990 by Cathy Dean Gafford, Director of Jean Dean RIF, and her father, Joe Dean, as a part of

the Kiwanis International Young Children (0-5): Priority One Project and is named in honor of

Dean’s wife, Jean Torbert Dean.

###

Jean Dean

Reading Is Fundamental P.O. Box 848 Opelika, AL

(334) 749-5631 www.jeandeanrif.org

Page 1 of 2

Jean Dean RIF June 6-11, 2010 60 seconds

SOUND: MOTORCYCLE ENGINE REVVING UP _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ANNOUNCER: Do you want to have a great time while helping Alabama’s youth learn to read?

MAN: Well who wouldn’t? But how can I do that?

ANNOUNCER: Well, this Saturday at the Big Swamp Harley Davidson in Opelika at 9 a.m. is the

Jean Dean Reading is Fundamental annual Ride to Read Poker Run where

Motorcycle riders can enjoy a day of riding in the Auburn/Opelika area while

collecting cards toward a poker hand. At the end of the ride, the rider with the

winning hand will win the grand prize! And all the proceeds go to continuing the

work of Jean Dean RIF, an organization that provides at-risk young children

more than 75,000 books to more that 25,000 at-risk young children across

Alabama each year.

MAN: Wow! How do I sign up?

Page 2 of 2

ANNOUNCER: To participate or make a donation, visit www.jeandeanrif.org and click the “Ride

to Read” link. A $25 donation covers one poker hand, a T-shirt and lunch, $30

covers three poker hands, a T-shirt and lunch and $15 covers a passenger, who

will also receive a T-shirt and lunch.

MAN: I’ll see you there!

SOUND: MOTORCYCLE ENGINE FADING OUT _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

END

Jean Dean

Let’s

Read

Together

Cont

act:

Cath

y D

ean

Gaff

ord

Exec

utiv

e D

irect

orPh

one:

334

-749

-563

1Em

ail:

jean

dean

rif@

bells

outh

.net

ww

w.je

ande

anrif

.org

Saturday, June 12, 2010Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. and the first bike will leave at 9:30 a.m. All riders are ex-pected back at Big Swamp Harley-Davidson

by 1 pm.

Big Swamp Harley-Davidson1201 Fox Run Parkway in Opelika, Ala.

The Truel Watts Ride to Read is designed to raise funds and awareness for Jean Dean RIF,

which provides more than 75,000 books to more than 25,000 at risk children between ages 0 and 5 each year across the state of

Alabama. The event gives motorcycle riders a chance to have fun with their friends while helping improve the literacy rate of Alabama.

Participants can register online at www.jeandeanrif.org or by visiting Big Swamp

Harley-Davidson. All participants will receive a t-shirt and lunch during the event.

When?

Where?

How?

Why?

Let’s Read Together...To Make a Difference!

Jean Dean Reading is Fundamental (RIF) is the largest RIF project in the na-tion.

It serves pre-schoolers and provides over 75,000 quality, age-appropriate books to over 25,000 at-risk young children in every county of Alabama each year.

Cathy Dean Gafford, Director of Jean Dean RIF, helped her father, Joe Dean, start the project in 1990-1991 while he was serving as Alabama Kiwanis Gover-nor.

The program was started as a part of the Kiwanis Young Children (0 to 5): Prior-ity One Project and is named in honor of Joe’s wife, Jean, who died in 1990.

Volunteers are always appreci-ated! No experience is necessary and individuals or groups are welcome to work in a casual work environment.

What can YOU do to help?

• Spend an hour or two on RIF work days putting bookplates in books, counting books or pulling and packing books to ship

• Volunteer to read to the kids at book distributions

• Have a book drive to add to site lending libraries

• Encourage an organization you belong to to help support Jean Dean RIF with volunteers and funding

To get involved:call Cathy Gafford at 334-749-5631 or send an email to:jeandeanrif@bellsouth.net.

As a part of the Alabama Kiwanis Foundation, all donations to Jean Dean RIF are tax deductible and

can be mailed to Jean Dean RIF

PO Box 848 Opelika, Ala. 36803

Who Are We?COME VOLUNTEER!