To Friends, Volunteers and Supporters
It’s been over two years since my last letter to you. Covid was a great interrupter. A lot has changed. In my June 2020 letter I informed you of My Own Book’s affiliation with the New York Society for Ethical Culture and its philanthropic arm, the Social Service Board—an affiliation designed to ensure continuation of leadership for our program.
It worked. I’ve stepped down as President and a new leadership is in place. Vincent Brancato, a long -time leader at the Society and a retired industrial executive, is now President. Joanna Miller is still our Executive VP; Ken Freeman, the Treasurer, Daria Rigney is still the Board Secretary and Sue Bremer, Controller. With this team we start the 2022-2023 school year.
But some important things remain the same. We still seek to benefit third-graders in high need schools in the five boroughs of NYC by giving them the opportunity of choosing and owning books knowing this will improve their literacy and school performance.
I still intend to be active in My Own Book. I am grateful to all the many, many people who helped grow our program in the 23 years of its existence and for the joy and satisfaction of leading it for these many years.
Thanks,
Burt Freeman
Founder
September 2022
