Current News & Events
May General Meeting
Date: Thursday, May 15
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Essex Place, 26 Main Street, Centerbrook
(Please park in the Ivoryton Playhouse Office parking lot at 22 Main Street)
Summer Reading Kits – backpack tags for reading kits will be distributed at this meeting.
Ivoryton Playhouse Fundraiser – updates of our planning for our July 24th event will be shared.
Buy your fundraiser tickets here! Learn how to support the event Wine Pull!🍷
Light refreshments will be served.
RSVP Here
2025 Summer Reading Kits
River Valley Fund for Families (RVFF) is once again providing Summer Reading Kits to approximately 100 children (ages 6–11) in Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook. These kits will include:
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🎒 A bright yellow backpack
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📖 Books and workbooks recommended by school reading consultants
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🎲 Fun, themed activities and props
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✏️ Supplies like colored pencils, crayons, and scissors
These Literacy Kits are designed to make reading interactive, engaging, and fun—bringing stories to life and helping children maintain their reading skills over the summer.
🙌 How You Can Help
There are two ways to contribute:
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Shop for a Child – tags for each child will be distributed at the RVFF May 15th meeting.
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Donate Online – Prefer to have our team shop for you?
👉 Contribute here: https://bit.ly/rvff-summer-reading
In the “Additional Information” section of the online donation form, type:
“Summer Reading Kits”
All contributions go through our fund at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Ivoryton Playhouse
Thursday, July 24 · 6:00 p.m.
Join us for a magical evening at the Ivoryton Playhouse, where the River Valley Fund for Families (RVFF) will host a pre-show reception ahead of the beloved musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Guests will enjoy refreshing drinks and delectable hors d’oeuvres under the tent, surrounded by community spirit and a shared mission.
This special event is part of our Positive Paths Initiative Fundraiser, with proceeds supporting public libraries in Essex, Chester, Deep River, Ivoryton, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook—as well as other local nonprofits committed to fostering literacy and youth development.
🎟 Tickets: $100 each
A portion of ticket sales and sponsorships will be awarded as grants to organizations ensuring children have the tools they need to thrive through reading and education.
This is one of RVFF’s signature fundraising events of 2025, and we warmly invite you to be part of the impact.
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Interested in making an even greater difference?
Become a sponsor and help expand essential literacy programs across our community. Your generosity will fuel lasting change—supporting young learners and the families who champion them.
RVFF Volunteer Meeting – April 22
Special Guests
Our Ivoryton Playhouse July 24th fundraiser will raise targeted funds to support our local River Valley and Shoreline public libraries, with a focus on their programs addressing children and families.
Representatives from the following libraries were our guests and shared a comments on their current programs and what our fundraising will support.
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Chester Library
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Deep River Library
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Essex Library
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Ivoryton Library
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Acton Library (Old Saybrook)
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Westbrook Library
Past News & Events
Click on the links below to view activites in past years.