Adrian Thompson (Navajo) and volunteers are adding a 9 foot by 80 foot mural to the Thrift Store Wall, part of the Chinle Planting Hope and Read at Home projects in Chinle, Canyon de Chelley, Navajo Nation, Arizona. What’s this project all about? Bringing hope in realistic ways to residents, many who live miles from many basic resources—even water!  This mural draws attention to any travelers driving down the main street in Chinle, US Hwy 191.  Stop in. Great prices. Great selection. Great company. All are welcome.

Chinle Planting Hope and Read at Home are two grassroots nonprofits with the goals of supporting early literacy: “readers make powerful leaders.”

500 subscriptions!  Yes, a year’s subscription to Highlight’s High Five will be sent to 500 students attending tribal programs through Headstart, preschool, or first grade. Location of schools include St. Mary’s in Alaska,  Fort Hall Headstart &  Elementary in Idaho,  Chief Targee (native language immersion charter school) in Idaho,  Chinle Preschool on the Navajo Nation, and FACE – a family literacy program in southern Arizona.  Read at Home is reaching out to schools and programs to help support early literacy.

Other parts of this project include a R.E.A.D in Beauty Bookmobile. This traveling library is just about ready to roll! Piles of sorted donated books are ready to be checked out. Zerbi Teller, Navajo student, was the first “customer” to sign up for a Library Card. Thank you, Glenwood Springs Noon Rotary, for providing books for the Bookmobile, clothes and household items to sell at the Thrift Store, and many hours of volunteer time to paint, sort, build shelving, and cheer everyone on.

The Wayfarer Foundation invited several of the board members and volunteers to participate in the opening of permanent exhibit in the Chicago Field Museum on Native American history and culture.

Additional goals: Build community. Live with Hope. Walk in Beauty. “It’s truly happening.”

For more information  or to make a donation, contact Nancy Bo Flood via her website. This year we are providing over 500 subscriptions of an award-winning magazine to teachers and their students.

Or sign up through the Chinle Planting Hope website to become a monthly donor in support of the Bookmobile. Just imagine, for children living in this part of the Navajo Nation, the nearest library or bookstore is over 100 miles away. Just imagine.