Iditarod: A Book for Every School
Donation protected
A BOOK FOR EVERY ALASKA SCHOOL
“We have compiled this …(definitive history) for our extended Iditarod family, friends and future generations. It is meant to be a celebration of that time and place!”
It is generally a good and decent thing to be a part of the education of deserving young students, to help them along the way, to help them broaden their horizons and to enhance their awareness of the good things around them. “Reading is a Lifelong Journey” (and necessity) in the pursuit of knowledge! For anyone interested in investing in something meaningful, won’t you join us in our quest to place Iditarod The First Ten Years in every school library around the state?
FROM THE BOOK!
“Each March, Alaskans are unified either as volunteers or as participants in a common goal.” In the book, there is a short side bar entitled The Full Circle which tells it all.
"It was significant that John Baker of Kotzebue was the first man under the arch on Front Street in 2011. A Northwest Alaskan with Eskimo heritage had finally won the banner that Herbie Nayokpuk, the “Shishmaref Cannonball,” came so close to several times. Winners are now represented from every section of the State, as well as nationally and internationally. Now the circle is complete and the power of Iditarod and the pride it brings with it has been felt once again in the Alaska Bush. That early dream of bringing together the peoples and cultures of Alaska has been reborn."
There are over 500 schools statewide, so it is no small task to complete our project. Many of the schools at checkpoints along the trail have received books as well as random libraries and schools around the state. Many schools in sled dog country have received books but there still remain almost 300 schools that have not been covered.
From the principal of Little Diomede School: Dear Old Iditarod Gang, Diomede School received your wonderful book today. We are thrilled! We will display it in the library proudly!
Our goal to place at least one book in every school would not only provide an historic record of Iditarod’s celebration of Alaska history to our young readers but re-emphasize the critical importance of local participation along the divide of cultures and geography, uniting all Alaskans into one cohesive group. And, perhaps inspire others to become involved in this great adventure. Your gift will reach hundreds of readers over the years.
HOW TO DONATE!
The cost for the book and shipping to each school is $75. If you make this donation (or more) a sticker will be placed on the inside cover of the book listing your name as the donor Donations of any size are welcome, however, and those books donated by more than one person will state “donated by Friends of Iditarod”. If you would like to donate a book to a specific school, please tell us in the “comments” section of the donation page. You can also call 907-953- 9394 to find out if that school is still available. If you would like to donate a book to a school outside of Alaska, please give us the name and address of the school in the “comments” section of the donation page and we will send it there.
Photo of Joe Redington Sr.'s dog team on the Iditarod trail by Jeff Schultz
From Don Reardon, University Professor and author:
...An important decade of Alaska history is captured in these pages, more importantly the Old Iditarod Gang reveals the heart of what makes the Iditarod a uniquely Alaskan event: the people, the dogs and our sense of adventure.
The IDITAROD is Alaska’s history. From the days of the diphtheria epidemic and the All Alaska Sweepstakes races in Nome to Dallas Seavey challenging the field for a fifth win the stories of our past fuel the promise of an adventurous future. Nowhere is that promise more apparent than in the children of Alaska. Please join us in celebrating our history by helping us put this amazing book, IDITAROD, the First Ten Years, in every Alaska school. First person accounts from mushers, race organizers, pilots, checkers, veterinarians and volunteers preserve the story of the Last Great Race and serve as primary historical references. So much history is lost but this story has been told and now we hope to share it across the state with the next generation.
HELP US PUT A BOOK IN EVERY ALASKA SCHOOL AND KEEP OUR HISTORY ALIVE!
“We have compiled this …(definitive history) for our extended Iditarod family, friends and future generations. It is meant to be a celebration of that time and place!”
It is generally a good and decent thing to be a part of the education of deserving young students, to help them along the way, to help them broaden their horizons and to enhance their awareness of the good things around them. “Reading is a Lifelong Journey” (and necessity) in the pursuit of knowledge! For anyone interested in investing in something meaningful, won’t you join us in our quest to place Iditarod The First Ten Years in every school library around the state?
FROM THE BOOK!
“Each March, Alaskans are unified either as volunteers or as participants in a common goal.” In the book, there is a short side bar entitled The Full Circle which tells it all.
"It was significant that John Baker of Kotzebue was the first man under the arch on Front Street in 2011. A Northwest Alaskan with Eskimo heritage had finally won the banner that Herbie Nayokpuk, the “Shishmaref Cannonball,” came so close to several times. Winners are now represented from every section of the State, as well as nationally and internationally. Now the circle is complete and the power of Iditarod and the pride it brings with it has been felt once again in the Alaska Bush. That early dream of bringing together the peoples and cultures of Alaska has been reborn."
There are over 500 schools statewide, so it is no small task to complete our project. Many of the schools at checkpoints along the trail have received books as well as random libraries and schools around the state. Many schools in sled dog country have received books but there still remain almost 300 schools that have not been covered.
From the principal of Little Diomede School: Dear Old Iditarod Gang, Diomede School received your wonderful book today. We are thrilled! We will display it in the library proudly!
Our goal to place at least one book in every school would not only provide an historic record of Iditarod’s celebration of Alaska history to our young readers but re-emphasize the critical importance of local participation along the divide of cultures and geography, uniting all Alaskans into one cohesive group. And, perhaps inspire others to become involved in this great adventure. Your gift will reach hundreds of readers over the years.
HOW TO DONATE!
The cost for the book and shipping to each school is $75. If you make this donation (or more) a sticker will be placed on the inside cover of the book listing your name as the donor Donations of any size are welcome, however, and those books donated by more than one person will state “donated by Friends of Iditarod”. If you would like to donate a book to a specific school, please tell us in the “comments” section of the donation page. You can also call 907-953- 9394 to find out if that school is still available. If you would like to donate a book to a school outside of Alaska, please give us the name and address of the school in the “comments” section of the donation page and we will send it there.
Photo of Joe Redington Sr.'s dog team on the Iditarod trail by Jeff Schultz
From Don Reardon, University Professor and author:
...An important decade of Alaska history is captured in these pages, more importantly the Old Iditarod Gang reveals the heart of what makes the Iditarod a uniquely Alaskan event: the people, the dogs and our sense of adventure.
The IDITAROD is Alaska’s history. From the days of the diphtheria epidemic and the All Alaska Sweepstakes races in Nome to Dallas Seavey challenging the field for a fifth win the stories of our past fuel the promise of an adventurous future. Nowhere is that promise more apparent than in the children of Alaska. Please join us in celebrating our history by helping us put this amazing book, IDITAROD, the First Ten Years, in every Alaska school. First person accounts from mushers, race organizers, pilots, checkers, veterinarians and volunteers preserve the story of the Last Great Race and serve as primary historical references. So much history is lost but this story has been told and now we hope to share it across the state with the next generation.
HELP US PUT A BOOK IN EVERY ALASKA SCHOOL AND KEEP OUR HISTORY ALIVE!
Organizer
Iditarod Gang
Organizer
Anchorage, AK
