The Illinois Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Chicago houses the Reach Out and Read program, a national program that connects children with books at every well child visit. Reach Out & Read is hosting our Sixth Annual Great Stories Awards Night to celebrate the expansion of our program in Illinois and raise funds to benefit the 140+ clinics that employ the program in Illinois. 

Reach Out & Read trains pediatricians to give out a brand-new book at every child well-visit from birth – five years old.  A children’s book in the exam room helps pediatricians build relationships with families and enables conversations about the importance of reading, singing, playing and language interactions during the critical period of brain growth. These books open doors for deeper connections within the community – and create magic inside and outside the clinic.

Please consider supporting our mission by donating merchandise and a gift card to entice raffle and auction participants at our Annual Fundraiser on May 9, 2024 at the Harold Washington Library. Your donation will help us reach our goal of $50,000 to be generated at the event, and will ensure that we can continue to offer this program throughout Illinois.