The Barra Foundation and The Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation have generously funded Kids Write and Create, providing us with art supplies, printing and binding materials, and funds for students.

Ms. Bernadette Parisi has established a memorial fund for the project in honor of her sister, Ms. Mary Ann McNamee, who was a champion of children's literacy in the Philadelphia area.

I believe that reading is a very important part of everyone's life ... not just the primary job of making sure children learn to read, but also making it possible for adults to continue the habit.

          -Mary Ann McNamee

When it came to reading - Mary Ann McNamee, a lifelong Philadelphia resident - had an acute, expansive passion which was only rivaled by her love of music. The vast, diverse nature of her mind consumed books with such fervor that she was hard-pressed to keep enough on hand to ensure she would always find herself in the middle of a compelling story. Mary Ann knew that the joy of reading was one of the most precious gifts one can be given: that no matter your circumstance, if you can read, you can improve your mind, skills, and your pleasure in being alive.

She was a giver of books to those she loved, including the 2500 books she donated to the Philadelphia Housing Authority, and she would be profoundly moved to know that her life and all-too-soon passing should inspire people to give to the Kids Write and Create project at Temple University.

We welcome all contributions including those in Ms. McNamee's memory.  To contribute to KidsWrite and Create, please contact:

Sean Marsh

Temple University

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

110 Weiss Hall (265-62)

1701 N. 13th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19122

Phone: 215-707-4810

E-mail: sean.marsh@temple.edu