West Hartford resident volunteers to read to children

West Hartford – The hallways at Dr. Michael D. Fox School were lined with nearly 130 volunteers who collected one of two books by the beloved children's author, Dr. Seuss– Daisy Head Mayzie and What Was I Scared of? in preparation for reading to children on Monday, March 3. 

United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, in partnership with Hartford Public Schools, recruited volunteers to participate in the National Education Association's 17th annual Read Across America Day. Caring volunteers have the power and ability to positively impact children’s literacy skills and help them stay on track to a bright future. With the support of generous volunteers and partners, locally, more than 5,000 children were read to in elementary classrooms throughout schools in Hartford.  It was an exciting way to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday and make reading fun. 

"The statistics of how many children are not reading on grade-level by the end of third grade are alarming. It's great to be able to make a difference in a small way. The United Way Readers Program, including Read Across America Day, helps children stay on track to graduation so they are able to lead a productive and successful future," said West Hartford resident John F. Byrnes, a United Way Reader at John C. Clark, Jr. Elementary and Middle School in Hartford. 

This event was an opportunity for volunteers to contribute to a community-wide effort to ensure that children read on grade-level by the end of third grade, an indicator of academic achievement and success later on in life. Children who are read to on a regular basis are more motivated to read on their own, and to develop critical thinking and comprehension skills. 

“Read Across America Day reinforces our dedication to join together to benefit the lives of children and close the reading gap. It was so great to see such a wonderful, important event come together with such success! The experience was rewarding and refreshing as we saw dedicated, energized volunteers give up time from their busy schedules to read with our children,” stated Dee Cole, Executive Director, Office of Early Literacy and Parent Engagement, Hartford Public Schools. 

Volunteers were offered the opportunity to purchase a United Way Read.Learn.Succeed. signature bookplate. For a gift of $25 volunteers’ names will appear on a label on the inside cover of a book, and given to a child who lives within our region. Proceeds will support United Way education programs and initiatives. Learn more at unitedwayinc.org/readlearnsucceed. 

For more information on volunteer opportunities, including reading with children please visit unitedwayinc.org/volunteer.