READ TO DREAM hONOREES
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Barbara Faculjack, EWDC Board Member
"Reading has been my joy and respite since I was age six,” Barbara said. “I am keenly aware of reading’s importance to the confidence and educational success of a young child. It’s been deeply rewarding to help EWDC grow and thrive, especially getting books in the hands of kids during the pandemic.”
Barbara Faculjak, as an EWDC Board Member and volunteer, has worked tirelessly to bring the magic of reading to children across the DC area. We’re proud to honor Barbara and her commitment to EWDC with this year’s Read to Dream Distinguished Service Award.
Barbara first joined EWDC as a mentor in 2017, reading once a week with Zoe, a charming second grader at a public elementary school on Capitol Hill. Her love of the program and firsthand experience with the positive impact it had on our school communities led Barbara to join EWDC’s Board of Directors in 2018. In this role, she has worked tirelessly to ensure that EWDC has the resources to grow our programs while keeping them 100% free for families and school partners. She has also helped build a network of partners and volunteers who share her commitment to service and give their time and talents to our students.
In all her roles with EWDC, Barbara has gone above and beyond to connect thousands of children with the reading support they need to thrive. EWDC is a better organization because of Barbara, and we are honored to recognize her service as this year’s Distinguished Service Award recipient.
Barbara is the President and CEO of Minerva Marketing, a marketing and communications consulting firm focusing on professional services. She also serves as President of the Bryce Harlow Foundation. Barbara is married to Jim McCarthy, has two wonderful stepsons – Justin (Alexandra) McCarthy and Campbell (Luiza Carson) McCarthy – and two sweet and sassy rescue dogs.
COMMUNITY CHAMPION
EAB
EAB’s mission to make education smarter and communities stronger goes beyond the four walls of their offices. EAB team members consistently put this mission into action in neighborhoods across the DC area through volunteerism. We are honored to count EAB as a partner and recognize their commitment to service as this year’s Community Champion.
For more than a decade, EAB has participated in and supported EWDC programs. They serve as mentors, host book drives, join service events, and offer pro bono operational support. This generous gift of their time and talent has made EWDC a stronger organization that is better able to meet the needs of our students and school partners. EAB is a true community champion, and we are proud to recognize and honor their service at Read to Dream.
“EAB is honored to receive the Community Champion Award from Eveybody Wins DC at this year's Read to Dream event. This recognition highlights EAB’s commitment to making our communities stronger, and our partnership with EWDC is a perfect example of this commitment in action. From mentoring students and providing pro bono consulting services to donating books and stocking little libraries, EAB is fully invested in the mission and success of EWDC.”
Cherrelle Morrison, Community Impact Leader, EAB
SPECIAL RECOGNITION: ASSOCIATION BOOK DRIVE CHALLENGE WINNERS
National Retail Federation, Literacy Leader
National Mining Association, Team Award
In late 2023, EWDC held the 3rd annual Association Book Drive Challenge, a friendly competition between trade and membership associations to see who can donate the most books to EWDC. With 16 teams participating, EWDC received more than 4,000 books to be used in free distribution events at partner schools and in the community. Even better is almost every book donated elevates voices and communities too often left out of children’s literature, giving all young readers a chance to see themselves on the page.
As our Challenge Literacy Leader, the National Retail Federation donated the most books overall to EWDC. The National Mining Association took home the Team Award for the highest number of books donated per employee. Together, these organizations are making a difference through the power of reading.