BARK ‘N BALL 2025
Mission
SitStayRead advances children's literacy and builds confidence in young readers by using an engaging curriculum incorporating social-emotional learning, enriched by certified reading assistance dogs
Vision
SitStayRead envisions a world where every child, regardless of race or economic status, has access to the resources and opportunities they need to develop strong literacy skills, build meaningful connections with animals, and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally
History
Founded in 2003, SitStayRead was born out of a community outreach program at the Call of the Wild School for Dogs in Chicago. MaryEllen Schneider was managing the Call of the Wild School and volunteering at Rainbow Animal-Assisted Therapy with her dog, Shandy
Realizing that her dog’s ability to sit and stay with children as they read to her could bring value to the community MaryEllen enlisted Sarah Murphy and MK Czerwiec, who were training their dogs at Call of the Wild, to help her launch an innovative literacy program driven by animalassisted learning
As of 2025, SitStayRead has supported more than 27,000 students, distributed over 65,000 books, and hosted countless literacy events across Chicago. Bilingual programming is being developed as an expanded community of volunteers and dog-teams from the neighborhoods we serve on Chicago’s south and west sides
Signature Cocktail + Mocktail
The Darling
Classic Daquiri
Rum + Lime
Demarara Syrup
Mocktail
Ginger Beer + Lime
Demarara Syrup + Mint
Dinner + Dessert By Butter &Vine
Grilled Oregano Chicken
with lemon and garlic, presented with tomatoes with chile-fennel oil
Charred Cauliflower Steak (Vegan)
potato puree, grilled vegetable ratatouille, arugula pesto, and toasted pine nuts
Roasted Baby Yukon Gold Potatoes with lemon and garlic
Gnocchi with Spring Herb Pesto
fava beans, goat cheese, and asparagus
Garlicky Green Beans
garnished with toasted pine nuts
Butter Lettuce Salad
with fresh peaches, dried cherries, and feta drizzled with a white balsamic dressing
Buttermilk Biscuits
with butter boards of honey and maple butter
** Pre-arranged special dietary meals will be served to guests
Homemade Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches
Chocolate Chip cookie with french vanilla bean ice cream
Lemon Shortbread Cookie with raspberry gelato
Cheesecake Lollipops
White Chocolate Oreo - with mini oreos and fresh mint garnish
Turtle - dipped in caramel, milk chocolate, and pecans
Red Velvet - dipped in white chocolate with red velvet crumble
Emcee
NBC5 Reporter
LeeAnn Trotter
LeeAnn Trotter is a feature reporter covering Arts and Culture and events happening around the Chicago area She's also a regular contributor to NBC 5’s "Making a Difference" segments.
The Chicago native joined NBC 5 in December 2005 after working at CLTV for eight years There, she anchored the weekend news and hosted the award-winning entertainment show, "Metromix: The TV Show," which earned her a local Emmy and several nominations for Best On Camera Performance
LeeAnn graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, and attended high school at the Latin School of Chicago.
Hon
2025 Toto + Dorothy Legendary Dog
Team
Harla + Rocky Hutchinson
Harla and Rocky began as a dedicated SitStayRead Dog Team in April of 2017. From their very first days of service, this dynamic duo could always be counted on to travel to anywhere they were needed, magically appearing on short notice at times Their kindness has been felt by students across Chicago, generating calm focus and a sense of belonging while students read to Rocky.
The SitStayRead family has cherished their gentle, kind-hearted presence and quiet knack for helping students relax, unleash their curiosity, and embrace language. Rocky’s reputation as great listener - a big compliment from our students- only increased over time We are so grateful for the skill and the joy Harla and Rocky brought to our programs. As they retire after more than 7 years as a SitStayRead Certified Reading Assistance Dog Team, we celebrate the immense impact they have made on staff, fellow volunteers, and most of all, in the lives of the many students they have served by proclaiming them a Toto and Dorothy Legendary Dog Team.
Honorees
2025 Wadokwuk Book Buddy
Sam
Baudinette, PhD
Honoring a kind, patient companion and ally of any gender, and inspired by a Potawatomie word for “friend”.
(wah DOK wuk)
Sam, who recently earned his PhD at University of Chicago, joined SitStayRead as a Book Buddy at the start of 2025 and hit the ground running! From day one, he immersed himself in the work, adopting a Second Grade classroom at St. Ethelreda with consistency and heart, stepping in to support our Pilsen and Austin schools, and lending a hand in the office after programs wrapped.
In the classroom and beyond, Sam brings a gentle presence and a genuine warmth that resonates with everyone he meets A light shines through Sam with each of his interactions, especially with our students, who are always met with his caring spirit. He can be quiet ~ we know he is a keen observer and deep listener and there lots of interesting things shared when the moment arrives! The students warm to the attention they receive from Sam, and around his kindness they open up and also produce all sorts of stories, spoken and written He models patience, which helps children slow down and begin to develop a habit of editing their own work; fear of making mistakes slips away and the confidence in finding errors and correcting their own reading or writing becomes empowering and even fun.
It has been a true pleasure for the staff and fellow volunteers to get to know Sam this year! While we know he is on to new work and academic pursuits, and we wish him the best, we hope he will remain in our sphere for years to come
Speakers
Featured Program Partner
Principal
Yadira Bernadac
Principal at Pilsen Community Academy and bilingual education champion, Ms. Yadira Bernadac was instrumental in SitStayRead returning to deliver English and bilingual classroom residency programs in Chicago Public Schools this year, after a more than four year hiatus
During her first year as a principal, running a welcoming elementary school, Ms. Bernadac remained steadfast and available in all ways as a range of challenges and uncertainties impacted Chicago Public Schools and the Pilsen community her school serves, and which continue to emerge, locally and nationally The strong center of a calm and inviting school atmosphere, Ms Bernadac is dedicated to her students, “The Pandas” and their successes. We are honored to work with Yadira and have her as one of our featured program partners.
Principal Bernadac began her career in Tulsa Oklahoma, and is completing her sixth year with the Chicago Public Schools
Speakers
Chicago Public Library Partners Katie Eckert + Lori Frumkin
SitStayRead was thrilled to launch a new partnership with Chicago Public Library this past Fall as a part of its citywide Jump Into Reading initiative. Participating library branches make new sets of decoder books available for emerging readers and their families to check out Practicing reading skills together at home makes a positive difference in school readiness and learning retention and can be a gateway to other services and resources available through our city’s superb public library system.
Over the course of the past eight months, SitStayRead has held intergenerational literacy programs at 14 branches across Chicago. As we celebrate these successful programs, we welcome Katie Eckert and Lori Frumkin, SitStayRead’s CPL champions to share more about Jump Into Reading and our continued partnership as we look to this coming Fall, and the roll out of the bilingual iteration of Jump Into Reading.
Live Auction
Kohler Waters Spa
Enjoy a two night stay for two at The American Club, where lush gardens, historic details, and fireplaces that crackle year-round create a captivating setting for unforgettable moments. Accompanying the stay is a $500 gift certificate for spa services of your choosing
The Kohler Waters Spa experience goes far beyond the treatment rooms. Your visit includes access to the relaxation pool with an eight-foot waterfall, steam room infused with eucalyptus, cold plunge pool, sauna with Himalayan salt wall, whirlpools, KLAFS infrared sauna, Ice Cave, and more. Feel the power of water as hydrotherapy reduces muscle tension, relieves pain, rehabilitates injured muscles, boosts the immune system, and relieves stress.
To help enjoy your spa trip, enjoy a Bright Endeavors Gift Box complete with two handcrafted soy candles and lavender bath salts made by New Moms.
Live Auction
3 Nights in Las Vegas
The sleek, 52-story Elara Resort enjoys an ideal location in the midst of Vegas’ full splendor while offering comfortably luxury in airy, contemporary spaces with magnificent view of the city, the Strip, the mountains, and desert. You’ll enjoy a three-night stay in a spacious one-bedroom, onebathroom suite that features a master bedroom with a king-size bed and a generous living room with a separate dining area, queen-size sofa bed, and a full kitchen. Accommodates 4. Also included is a $100 Southwest Airlines gift card and a Hi Love Weekender bag to start your trip!
Las Vegas is constantly growing, with new experiences to discover every time you visit. From exciting entertainment and world-class dining options, there’s always something fresh to explore.
Live Auction
Dog of the Year 106
Dog of the Year is a SitStayRead tradition that we are thrilled continue on. Become SitStayRead’s champion for the coming school year, featured on our Chicago Public Library bookmarks, as our Fall Read-A-Palooza mascot, and honored at next year’s Bark ‘N Ball.
Our Dog of the Year will also receive a fantastic one-night staycation with their family at Chicago’s StayPineapple hotel where dogs are treated in style as celebrated guests Get ready for your close up with $100 toward a grooming session at Dashing Dog. Make memories to last with a 60 minute Animal Communicator session and a $500 pet photography session from Candice C. Cusic Photography and frame your new portrait at Foursided Take home a gift basket from Squeaky Bea’s, and Just Food For Dogs for a summer of picnics on your new SitStayRead blanket
Live Auction
5NightsinHawaii
Immerse yourself in the tropical allure of Hawaii with this highly sought-after getaway for 2 Enjoy 5 nights in a luxurious hotel in the famous Waikiki Beach area, known for its golden sands, crystalclear waters, and vibrant local culture
Choose from a selection of top-rated hotels and wake up to breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean with beach access. Stroll along the sundrenched beaches, and dive into the rich history of Honolulu Whether you want to relax under swaying palms, hike to the summit of Diamond Head for panoramic island views, or explore the lively streets of Waikiki, this is your chance to experience Hawaii’s magical charm.
Let the aloha spirit embrace you as you explore the island’s lush landscapes from tropical rainforests to volcanic craters.
Live Auction
7 Nights in Bali
Venture to the picturesque coastal town of Amed in Bali for a luxurious seven-night escape for two at the intimate Golden Buddha resort
Your journey begins with round trip airport transit in comfort with a welcome drink awaiting your arrival Throughout your stay, indulge in two fullbody massages and savor a daily breakfast. You'll also have access to a full bar and room service to your private cottage featuring a king-size bed and an indoor/outdoor shower, nestled amidst the resort's lush gardens.
Chose from three unforgettable adventures: a guided tour of local temples, diving with a master diver, a stunning snorkeling adventure On your final night, enjoy dinner at the resort and raise a toast to newfound peace, happiness, and the memories you've created in this idyllic coastal paradise.
Impact + Paddle Raise
While we love a good party, a good story, and winning cool stuff, this evening is SitStayRead’s most important fundraising event of the year and we couldn’t have the program growth and impact you see in the map in the previous page without supporters like YOU.
We hope you will show up for us with your paddles as we wrap up the evening!
Make sure you have the paddle with your name on the back, and then raise it high when Dan Campbell calls out a dollar amount that feels like the right level for you this year.
We will call out for a paddle drop at the end - everyone who participates gets a chance to win a Dyson V12 Slim Vacuum and Pet Grooming Kit or a Dyson V15!
Event Partners
Chris Dammann Jazz Quartet
Special guest: Qiana McNary, Vocalist
By day, Qiana McNary is a veteran HR professional in the education sector. By night she is the front woman for the Qiana McNary Experience who just presented All hail the Queen, a tribute to Aretha Franklin; as well as an actress seen most recently in The Other Cinderella at the Black Ensemble Theater in Edgewater Qiana serves as HR Committee Chair on SitStayRead’s board
Be Right Back, Valet Services
Boujee Pups Accessories
Butter + Vine, Catering
Colleen at Salvage One
Crystal Phillips-Pierce, CP Events
Dan Campbell, Raising Paddles
Dennis Lee, Event Photographer
Eric Leonardson + SAIC
Geoffrey Clark + M Hub
Hailey McNichols, Dog Mom to the Rescue Dogwalking
Just Food for Dogs, Dog Buffet
Justin Cavazos, AV
Kyle Price + Christophe Preissing + NON:op, AV Equipment
Medill Cause Impact Marketing
Owen Harrison, Coat Check/Quiet Room
Sit Stay Read Staff + Board + Bark ‘N Ball Planning Committee
Type Cast Poetry
XOXO Photobox