Kimberly McLaughlin created an advocacy project to raise funds to provide books for the 4th grade students at Bucksport Miles Lane School to read over their summer vacation. She held a raffle and solicited donations from local businesses. While the fundraiser was ultimately unsuccessful, Kimberly learned that she can advocate for important causes and overcame her shyness by reaching out to many community members. The project helped her support reading engagement for students and taught her perseverance.

1. (McLaughlin 1)
My Advocacy Project
The 4th Grade Literature Group
Presented to:
Professor Patricia Clark
HUS 352
Interventions for Children and Families
Created by:
Kimberly McLaughlin
Bucksport Site
November 26th

2. (McLaughlin 2)
My advocacy statement:
LET’S KEEPOUR
BUCKSPORT MILES LANE 4TH GRADERS
READING OVER VACATIONS
(McLaughlin 3)

3. Pictures and images I used to emphasize the issue:

4. (McLaughlin 4)
FOR SUPPORTING
THIS VERY IMPORTANT
CAUSE

5. (McLaughlin 5)
SPECIAL THANKS GOES TO ALL
THESE BUSINESSES THAT
CONTRIBUTED.
HANNERFORD
and
BUCKSPORT HOUSE OF PIZZA
(McLaughlin 6)

6. Here is my advocacy letter:
September 26, 2012
To whom it may concern;
I’m doing an advocacy project for my college class-HUS 352 Interventions for
Families with Children. My project is finding a way to help out my community and
I chose to do a fundraiser. I’m seeking funds for new books for all the 4th grade
classes of the Bucksport Miles Lane School and I’m hoping to raise enough money
to supply some books to their school library. I chose 4th grade because they will be
moving on to the middle school next fall and this was my way of a parting gift for
them.
I’m collecting new books, monetary donations, or gift cards for a raffle that I will
be holding in November. All proceeds will be going to the Bucksport Miles Lane
School for new books.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please help me support this idea of mine
and help engage children in reading over the summer time.
Any contributions can be mailed to me at: Kimberly McLaughlin -70 Cross Road-
Bucksport, Maine 04416. Telephone # 469-2383 Checks may also be made out to
RSU 25 in the memo area simply put for book fund donation. We will provide you
with a receipt for the tax deductible donation. If you have any questions feel free
to contact me or my professor, Patricia Clark at the address and phone below.
Sincerely,
Kimberly McLaughlin
(McLaughlin 7)

7. If you have any questions feel free to contact my Professor:
Patricia Clark
Professor of Early Childhood Studies
University of Maine at Augusta
207-621-3426 or 207-443-4208
(McLaughlin 8)

8. The raffle was to be held at the True Value with my two youngest children helping. My plan is
to raffle off the gift cards and merchandise and then take all the proceeds to buy chapter books
for all 4th graders.
I have learned a lot from this project. For one I learned that I can stand up for what I believe in
and I believe reading is so important for children of all ages. The reason why I chose 4 th grade is
because they will be moving on to a new school next year and this was a parting gift from me. I
am painfully shy so for me to go and talk to a complete stranger is extremely hard for me. I not
only talked to one stranger I talked to over twenty. That is highly unusual for me. Even though
this project failed I feel that I accomplished and conquered a huge fear of mine. I’m very proud
of myself for at least trying.
My conclusion: My project I worked very hard on and started right away in September and
have made numerous calls but no one seems able to help me. The book stores were my first
option and they even sounded interested but to my huge disappointment I never heard back.
This was a fun but stressful project and I’m glad you made this assignment something we had to
do.