Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation SPRING 26 Newsletter

Reading and Literacy Takes Center Stage

At four years old, I fondly remember receiving special books from my godmother on special occasions. The Elves and the Shoemaker, Fuzzy Wuzzy Puppy, and The Little Duck Said Quack, Quack, Quack were my favorites. In third grade, I was enamored with all the animals in Charlotte's Web, which Mr. Greene read to the entire class. Recently, I realized these children's books shared themes of caring for others, friendship, and growing up. The frayed pages and the worn covers tell a story of their own. I enjoyed these books, and they were read to me many times. The beginning of my literacy development was well underway.

Reading and writing are just two components intertwined with literacy development. To understand the world around us and to communicate and connect with others, we must have the opportunities at a young age to read, discuss content, and dream. When children face early obstacles, it is harder to learn, keep up, and even harder to catch up.

Reading and Literacy is one of our seven comprehensive components, and it continues to drive our work forward. We’re not just helping students become stronger readers; we’re supporting them as they nd their voices and step into leadership within their communities.

Over the last few months, reading and literacy have taken center stage, a theme woven throughout the stories you’ll discover in the pages ahead. The ALL RISE 2026 Summer Book Club is off to a great start, with book titles selected! As a rst-time grandma, I am excited

about the new addition to our Summer Book Club –Grandma Patty’s Corner! It is a sweet collection of stories chosen for grown-ups to snuggle up and read to their babies and toddlers.

We have also brought virtual author visits and books to 12 classrooms across our regions, creating opportunities for students to engage directly with authors and meaningful stories. Students were captivated as each author brought their stories to life and shared their creative journeys.

From a visit to Linden Elementary School, Linden, California, to the California Association of Directors of Activities (CADA) State Convention in Reno, Nevada, to the Stockton Rotary Read-In, or a New York Yankee Stadium Suite, the ALL RISE Foundation has been on the move. These were just a few of the activities the ALL RISE team participated in. We learn so much by stepping into these spaces to collaborate and to gain outreach opportunities.

As you read through this Spring edition of the Team Report, you will nd details on all of these stories, read about the latest Mini-Grant recipients, and discover how to get the children and youth in your life signed up for the ALL RISE 2026 Summer Book Club.

Patty Judge

Patty Judge, Aaron’s Mom President, Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation

• Visit our page

• Choose a grade-level book from our suggested list

• Start reading

• Complete the book report

• Get a certi cate from Aaron!

will inspire children and youth to become responsible citizens by engaging them in activities that encourage

Executive Board and Board of Directors

Aaron Judge

Patty Judge

Judge’s

We walk by faith, not by sight – 2 Corinthians 5:7

Linda Johnson Vice President/ Secretary

Carol Derksen Treasurer

Samantha Judge Board Member

Michael O’Neill Board Member

Vincent Ricchiuti Board Member

Sonia Gradin Member at Large

Hien Nguyen Executive Director

Doing the Little Things

As the 2026 season got underway, I worked with my teammates about nding small ways to do just a little bit more to win games. That means we are always thinking about taking the extra base, or putting ourselves in the mindset to make an extra defensive play that can secure a win. It isn’t enough to win a series; we have to nish each one strong by trying to sweep. In April 2025, we needed just one more win to be in a different position in the playoffs. So if we have to lay down a bunt to move a runner over or challenge a call to earn another opportunity, we need to do it. Those small things could be the difference between where we were and where we wanted to be.

Doing a little extra work to improve is a lesson I’ve carried with me since I was young. When I was ten years old, I would go over to Greg Cook’s house, and his dad would throw to us so we could get extra swings in the batter’s box. Taking that extra time outside of practice prepared me to face live pitching in games with con dence. As a sophomore, Austin Alvarez, our quarterback and I would stay after football practice to run extra routes and get more comfortable with each other. During basketball season, I would stay after to get extra reps in the post. All of that extra effort made me just a little more prepared to succeed on the eld.

When I look at where we are with ALL RISE, I see the same mindset at work. We started small, giving out Mini-Grants and hosting events in my hometown. Now we are supporting organizations in all three of the communities I have been part of, and the level of support continues to grow. Our book club, one of our grassroots programs, has seen participation double each year as we take small steps to spread awareness. Our Leadership Master Classes are reaching more classrooms, and our Leadership Library continues to grow with resources for parents and educators because we are making the extra effort to provide meaningful tools.

The ALL RISE team is always striving to build on what we do well and nd new ways to strengthen our programs. While the foundation’s work may not put the Yankees in the World Series, these small actions help the youth we serve win their own championships.

Aaron Judge

Aaron Judge, Founder

Celebrating Partnerships and Possibilities at CADA

By Hien Nguyen, Executive Director

In March, our Vice President, Linda, and I were proud to participate in the California Association of Directors of Activities (CADA) State Convention in Reno, connecting with approximately 1,500 educators committed to fostering positive school communities.

• Community Involvement • Health & Well-being

Our presence at CADA holds special meaning for the Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation. Our President, Patty, is a CADA Past President who spent many years attending these conventions throughout her 33-year career in education. Aaron himself also accompanied his mother to CADA conventions as a high school student, making this a true full-circle moment and re ecting our deep connection to the CADA community.

In partnership with Digital4Good and #ICANHELP, we hosted a booth where we introduced attendees to our key

programs, including Mini-Grants, #ALLRISE2Help Power Bands, our summer book club, and free leadership library memberships for educators. Our booth welcomed a steady ow of visitors, each eager to learn more about resources that can support and inspire their students. Visitors received informational materials and giveaways, while some were also gifted ALL RISE apparel and tote bags. And, as many attendees noted, it was hard to miss the towering Aaron Judge cutout, which drew in baseball fans and sparked plenty of photos.

This experience allowed us to build meaningful connections and expand awareness of our work among educators shaping the next generation. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and sponsors, we can reach more communities, support educators, and inspire young people to rise and lead. Thank you for being an essential part of this mission.

Introducing 99’s Books to Read

When we read, we RISE!

ALL RISE has recently launched “99’s Books to Read”, a curated list of books for all ages. Everyone can nd books that will enlighten and encourage, as well as enhance reading skills. To view the entire book list, visit our website or scan the QR code.

Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation programs and initiatives. For information on

“If my uniform doesn't get dirty, I haven't done anything in the baseball game.”

– Rickey Henderson

Stockton Rotary Read-In

The 35th Annual Stockton Rotary Read-In took place on February 26th. More than 700 volunteers read to more than 20,000 students in 74 schools. This event aligns with the ALL RISE Comprehensive Component – Reading and Literacy. Hien Nguyen and Anna Sass represented the ALL RISE Foundation, selecting several books from the 2026 Summer Book Club reading list to read to students at Van Buren Elementary School in Stockton. After reading to the classroom, they left the books for the library and gave ALL RISE bookmarks to each student.

ALL RISE Summer Book Club is Back!

Let the pages turn and the adventures begin. It’s time to get ready for the ALL RISE 2026 Summer Book Club! The carefully selected titles are now live on our website so your reading pleasure awaits your selection! Book reports open on June 3rd and close September 9th.

New this year is Grandma Patty's Corner, a cozy collection of stories chosen for babies and toddlers to enjoy with the grown-ups who love them.

All reading levels and book selections can be found on our website.

Be part of our reading community by donating to this effort or passing the book lists along to the people in your world.

RISING UP Congratulations to our February ’26 Mini-Grant Recipients

WORLD OF WONDERS SCIENCE MUSEUM (WOW)

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA offers hands-on, science-based exhibits and programs to stimulate discovery. WOW will utilize the ALL RISE Mini-Grant to support the Brighter Futures Program, which provides unsheltered children and their guardian with access to special events and educational programs. Each child will have the opportunity to spend time in a fun, dynamic, and safe educational environment, develop a sense of belonging, and discover the joy of learning while building lifelong memories with a trusted adult. The Mini-Grant will also support a special event that will bring together participants, museum employees, and leadership teams from other local organizations. This festive gathering will include dinner, live science demonstrations, hands-on science activities, all while developing a sense of community.

BRAIN WISE SOLUTIONS, FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

The mission is to support health, well-being, and connection through neuroscience-based education and training, including yoga and medication. The ALL RISE Mini-Grant funding will be directed toward their CommUnity Wellness Gatherings. Through this program, participants learn simple brain-body tools they can use at home or school, supporting both well-being and long-term healthy habits. The program is expected to directly serve 75–150 participants, with additional indirect impact as individuals share these tools with friends and family, extending the bene ts beyond the events and into daily life. By bringing families and caregivers into the learning process, the gatherings help create environments where young people are supported not only during the event, but in their everyday lives.

VAN

CORTLANDT PARK ALLIANCE (VCPA), BRONX COUNTY, NY

The mission is to preserve, support, and promote the ecological, recreational, and historical value of Van Cortlandt Park while using the park as a platform for community engagement programs for youth development. The Garden 2 Market Internship engages youth in horticultural education, food systems, community service, and essential capacities in social-emotional health. Interns work in the Learning Garden and are educated in composting, natural pest management, and sustainable growing practices. The interns operate a weekly neighborhood farmer’s market, facilitate family garden programs, and give cooking demonstrations. The ALL RISE Mini-Grant will support two summer interns and the creation of a community cookbook featuring recipes they prepare during farmstand cooking demonstrations.

All funds donated for the Aaron Judge ALL RISE Mini-Grant Program go directly to children and youth programs in San Joaquin County, California; Fresno County, California; and Bronx County, New York, that support ongoing citizenship and education development.

JUDGEIAN BLAST

Mini-Grant Deadline

Applications Open: August 6, 2026

Applications Deadline: September 24, 2026

Grantees Will Be Announced: October 23, 2026

Eligible Regions

Bronx County, NY

Fresno County, CA

San Joaquin County, CA

applicants include communitybased organizations, public and private agencies, and faith-based organizations doing work in San Joaquin and Fresno Counties in California and Bronx County in New York.

For more information and to apply, visit: AaronJudgeALLRISEfoundation.org/all-rise-mini-grants/

Reading is at the core of the Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foun dation. While our Summer Book Club has been a powerful way to celebrate the importance of literacy, we’ve gone even further by selecting two featured authors from our Summer Book Club to bring into the classrooms. Through book donations and virtual author visits, we’ve created meaningful, engaging experiences for 12 classrooms across our regions—helping 314 students connect with reading in a deeper, more personal way. This year’s authors were Olivia Abtahi, author of The Interpreter and Rob Harrell, author of Wink. Both books highlighted personal experiences from the authors’ youths. Four 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms heard from Olivia Abtahi, while eight 4th and 5th grade classes visited with Rob Harrell.

Tori Orvick, second-grade teacher at Foulks Ranch Elementary School shared this about having Olivia join her class. “The virtual author visit was such an incredible experience for my second graders. Many of my students are dual-speaking students and the experience of being able to read a story about a child their age who has to ll the same role that they ll was so engaging for them. We had an enlightening conversation as a class after reading The Interpreter and the students learned a lot about each other and the role that home language plays in each other's lives. Some of them connected on a level that they hadn't before, even though they've been together since kindergarten!”

Author Olivia Abtahi let us know the experience was also special for her. “I loved getting to hear questions directly from students, and everyone had such thoughtful observations about the book. This visit was especially dear to my heart, because like my book, many of these students were interpreters themselves!”

ALL RISE believes that sharing new perspectives, bringing adults into the classroom from outside their community and giving students the opportunity to ask questions are important steps to helping them dream big. Ms. Orvick also wanted us to know that “the students were so excited to be able to ask questions of a ‘real live author’! This was something that they will remember for years to come.”

P.O. Box 992

Linden, California 95236

SWING INTO SUMMER READING ALL RISE Summer Book Club • Begins June 3, 2026

Look Good.

Alongside Digital4Good, members of the ALL RISE team had the pleasure of hosting 2nd through 4th graders at Linden Elementary School to learn about staying safe,

We were in awe of the knowledge these young students have regarding phone apps. We also enjoyed a role-playing activity focused on cyberbullying. Watching the students navigate tough situations was a great reminder of the impact our words have. The entire room was lled with such a spirit of encouragement and education.

Throughout the day, one phrase stayed with us: "It starts with YOU!" We left the assembly feeling inspired by their energy and reminded that creating a positive environ ment—online or off—begins with each of us.

Every purchase supports ALL RISE programs that empower youth to reach their full potential.

Visit the ALL RISE store on our website: aaronjudgeallrisefoundation.org