What is Claire’s Day?
Claire’s Day is a free family book festival held annually in honor of Claire Lynsey Rubini. Claire loved to read, tell stories, dance and make crafts. You can do all of these things and more during this special day.
Highlights include:
- Childrens book authors and illustrators from throughout the Midwest (and beyond!)
- Local Storytellers
- Family entertainment
- Book related hands-on activities
- Books, Books, and more Books!
- And, one of the coolest things that takes place is the C.A.R.E. Awards, given to children nominated as the most improved readers in their schools!
MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of Claire’s Day Inc. is to honor Claire Lynsey Rubini by inspiring children and families of all ages to be lifelong readers through exposure to a variety of literary opportunities and experiences.
Highlights of these experiences include:
- The annual Claire’s Day Festival
- Claire’s Night, a special event for grownups
- The School Visit program
- Grants extended to area schools enabling them to host our guest authors and illustrators
- An annual grant given to the Toledo Lucas County Public Library Legacy Foundation, specifically earmarked to purchase books written and or illustrated by our guest artists
Claire’s Day History
Claire’s Day Inc. was created in honor of Claire Lynsey Rubini, who died suddenly July 6, 2000 as a result of a heart condition. Claire’s parents, Brad and Julie Rubini, felt compelled to honor their ten year old daughter in a special tribute to her love of reading, storytelling, music, encouraging others to read and simply having fun with friends.
Six months after Claire died; Julie came across an issue of Time, tucked in her plane seat pocket as she traveled to a family wedding. The magazine featured an article about Former First Lady Laura Bush’s involvement in the Texas Book Festival, which features Texas born authors and illustrators.
Inspired by the story, Brad and Julie formed the organization in 2001. They have been joined by hundreds of volunteer committee members that have nurtured and grown the literary events the organization sponsors. In early 2011, the first part-time Executive Director, David Justus, was hired to carry on the organization’s mission.
The mission of Claire’s Day Inc. is to honor Claire Lynsey Rubini by inspiring children and families of all ages to be lifelong readers through exposure to a variety of literary opportunities and experiences.
What began as a one day free family book festival has grown into a variety of literary experiences impacting over 15,000 children annually.
At the core of all of the events is the annual free family book festival. Claire’s Day is held the third Saturday in May at the Maumee, Ohio Branch Library, and the event celebrated its tenth anniversary on Saturday, May 21, 2011. The day features children’s book authors and illustrators from throughout the region sharing their books and successes with children of all ages. Throughout the festival, storytellers weave their magical tales, musical and dance groups entertain attendees, and children are given an opportunity to make literary creations at the hands on area.
A highlight of the day is the C.A.R.E. (Claire’s Awards for Reading Excellence) Awards which are given to children nominated by their principals and teachers as being the most improved readers at their grade level. The C.A.R.E. Awards program has grown from recognizing 27 children for their efforts the first year, to giving out over 300 awards this past year.
The event has grown tremendously since its inception. The event now includes several days of school visits by the participating authors prior to the book festival. Ten thousand children now benefit from an “up close and personal” visit with the authors at their schools through this outreach program.
In preparation for the 2012 Claire’s Day festival, the organizing committee is hosting the second annual Author Selection Gala, held at the Main Library, children’s program room, on Monday, December5, 2011 from 5:00-6:30 PM. Area schools interested in hosting an author or illustrator attended the event, and their school names were randomly drawn through the process, matching guest writers and artists with schools. This new addition to our sponsored events was a great success, and all the schools that participated were quite pleased with their selections.
In 2007, in celebration of our fifth anniversary, Claire’s Day Inc. gave books to the schools participating in the school visit program. Valued at over $4500, children throughout area school systems will benefit from the books for years to come. This book and grant program has continued every year since then. In 2011, UPS came on board as a major sponsor and helped underwrite the gift of books to the over 25 schools hosting an author or illustrator in conjunction with Claire’s Day.
An evening function, held at the Main Library in Toledo, was added the third year. Claire’s Night offers an opportunity for adults to mix and mingle with the participating authors and illustrators in the beautiful children’s library. The 2011 reception will feature literary themed baskets in a silent auction. Proceeds benefit Claire’s Day Inc.
Additionally, we have proudly presented the Toledo-Lucas County Library Legacy Foundation with a check for $2500 annually, specifically earmarked to purchase books written and or illustrated by Claire’s Day participating authors and illustrators. Thus, following the tenth annual Claire’s Day in 2011, the organization will have given $25,000 towards the purchase of children’s books for the local library system.
The future looks bright for the organization, as we plan on offering fun educational opportunities featuring our upcoming authors and illustrators. “Claire’s Club” will offer family literary programming throughout the year.
What started as just a day, Claire’s Day, has become so much more than that, as a result of a supportive committee, community, sponsors, and the spirit of a little reader gone too soon.