Cambridge Childcare Center Hosts Braille Story Hour with National Braille Press

The founder of Cambridge childcare center Two Little Owls Schoolhouse, Richard Gilreath, is running the Boston Marathon on April 20, 2015, on behalf of the National Braille Press (NBP) to help raise awareness of braille literacy. On Thursday, March 26, Gilreath hosted the NBP during a braille story hour with children from the childcare center. The purpose of the event was to teach children about the use and importance of braille, and to gain support for his marathon run.

Gilreath who resides in Cambridge, was born in Fairhope, Alabama, and moved to Cambridge in high school and became close friends of Joe Quintanilla, NBP Vice President of Development, who is blind. When they were at Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School, Gilreath and Quintanilla ran and excelled in track, leading to their lifelong friendship. Through Quintanilla’s encouragement, Gilreath will run his third Boston Marathon in support of the National Braille Press, an organization that has become close to his heart.

“I jokingly said to him ‘if you can get your hands on a number, sure I’ll run,’” laughed Gilreath about his best friend. “Sure enough, Joe got his hands on one, and it was time to start training.” Despite the difficult running conditions throughout the winter, Gilreath has remained motivated with the help of Joe, who competed in the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta. “I’m so proud of Rich for all he has accomplished and grateful for his dedication to National Braille Press,” said Quintanilla. “Not only is Rich a great example to the children, he’s a wonderful friend. I’ll be in Kenmore Square at mile 24.5 to cheer him on along with a few of my NBP colleagues.”

National Braille Press obtained the marathon number through the John Hancock nonprofit Boston Marathon program, of which NBP is a beneficiary.

“Having the support of Rich and his friends is wonderful for the National Braille Press, and with his personal connection to Joe, it makes it all that more special,” said Brian MacDonald, NBP President and CEO.

The braille reading included two books from the NBP’s Children’s Braille Book Club: “Dragons Love Tacos” read by Wynter Pingel, Braille Proofreader at the NBP, and “Yummy Yucky” read by Joe Quintanilla.

Gilreath is actively fundraising for his Boston Marathon run through the National Braille Press donation page: https://www.crowdrise.com/NBPBoston2015

ABOUT NATIONAL BRAILLE PRESS
A non-profit braille publisher, National Braille Press promotes literacy for blind children through outreach programs and provides access to information by producing information in Braille for blind children and adults. National Braille Press is the only publisher of original braille works in the United States. The Boston based non-profit continues the proud tradition of supporting a lifetime of opportunity for blind children through braille literacy, and provides an education foundation for the blind community to maintain independence and productivity in their lives. www.nbp.org