October 31, 2024
All Ages Read Together (AART) recently hosted its 12th Annual Halloween Hoedown, a beloved community event that brought together families, friends, and supporters for a night of fun and fundraising.
Held on October 26th, the event was a great success! 100% of the proceeds from the Halloween Hoedown will be used to provide resources, materials, and support for our teachers and students. This support is crucial in ensuring that our students receive the best possible start in their educational journey.Â
Folks of all ages enjoyed the live music and festive fall atmosphere, showcasing their creative costumes while dancing the night away. There were also quite a few winners at our annual silent auction!
Hoedown’s success means a lot more to AART than the funds raised. In Northern Virginia, 29% of low-income children are enrolled in preschool, compared to 67% from higher-income households, making this the highest income disparity of preschool enrollment in the United States (Hughes, 2021-2). On average, children from low-income families and those at risk for academic failure start kindergarten at least a year behind their peers in reading and language skills (US Department of Ed).
Each year, AART works with over 200 children and their caregivers, supporting both the students attending class and the caregivers learning how to advocate for their child’s success. The classes build and strengthen necessary skills in early literacy, language, and socialization so our students are ready to succeed on day one of kindergarten – all at no cost to our students’ families.Â
We are always so moved to see so many people who believe in our mission and the power of education show up for us and for our students. Community is at the core of AART’s mission, and this event highlights the importance of local partnerships and the team effort required to support early childhood education.Â
AART extends our heartfelt thanks to all sponsors, volunteers, and attendees who made the event a memorable and successful one!