Read to a Child to host the Motor City Read-A-Thon, with events beginning March 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Read to a Child to host the Motor City Read-A-Thon, with events beginning March 1

National Reading Month events in March will connect caring adults from all sectors of the community to at-risk students to support literacy growth and future success

Detroit, February 24, 2017 — Read to a Child, Inc. a national non-profit literacy and mentoring organization, today announced it will host the First Annual Motor City Read-A-Thon, a month-long initiative held during National Reading Month in March to increase awareness about the importance of reading aloud to children in supporting their academic success.

Research shows that reading aloud to children is the single most important activity for eventual success in reading, a key factor for success in school, work, and life. When an adult reads aloud to a child, both parties have a joyful, rewarding experience that instills a love of reading, improves literacy skills, and enhances a child’s self-confidence.

The Read-A-Thon will kick off on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 with a series of hour-long read aloud celebrations at Southwest Detroit Community School, Warren Bow Elementary School and Herrington Elementary School.

Students will enjoy a video message from US Senator Debbie Stabenow as well as in-class readings from State Rep. Stephanie Chang, Ike McKinnon and a host of other dedicated community leaders and neighbors who are committed to the success of our youth.

Featured readers for these events include volunteers from a wide array of community minded corporations and organizations such as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Level One Bank, Quicken Loans, WXYZ Channel 7, General Motors, Comerica Bank, Teach for America, the City of Detroit, Oakland Community College, the City of Pontiac, Fontinalis Partners LLC, WDIV Channel 4, Detroit Housing Commission, Oakland University, Chief Financial Credit Union, the Packard Plant Project and many more.

“Reading to children is so important because learning to read opens up an enormous world of opportunity that lasts a lifetime,” said David Walker, EVP/CFO, Level One Bank. Continues Walker, “Being able to read is the key to personal development and full engagement in society.”

Reading celebrations will continue throughout the month of March at Southwest Detroit Community School, Warren Bow Elementary School and Herrington Elementary School as well as at Detroit Leadership Academy and Detroit Innovation Academy where students will participate in the regularly scheduled Lunchtime Reading Program as well as read aloud sessions by featured readers.

“Before a child can read on their own, they learn the power of imagination and storytelling by having others read to them,” said Chris Uhl, Vice President of Community Investments for Quicken Loans. “Reading to children sparks interest and develops curiosity so they are motivated to pursue their education.”

National Reading Month activities will also include book donations to every student in grades K-5 at each of the participating schools to create or add to their home library. Book donations were made possible through the kind donations of the Detroit Chapter of the Kiwanis Club, Level One Bank, Children’s Book Author Lisa Wheeler, Quicken Loans and hundreds of caring adults from throughout Southeastern Michigan.

“Reading to children teaches them how to open doors to new worlds with their mind, stimulates their creativity and helps them take the first steps toward breaking down barriers between cultures and places unknown,” said Jessica McCall, Office of Mayor Michael E. Duggan, City of Detroit.

Ky Lindberg, Detroit Director for Read to a Child adds, “I had the pleasure of obtaining my entire education in Detroit Public School and recognize the importance community support has on a child’s life. If we meet our goal of raising $25,000 during National Reading Month, we can provide direct literacy support to hundreds of children in Metro Detroit and provide added support to the amazing teachers who have dedicated themselves to promoting our children’s academic success.”

Read to a Child’s Detroit Lunchtime Reading Program has been integral in positioning students for future success for over five years. This school year, volunteer reading mentors have supported more than 500 hours of read aloud sessions for students in Detroit and Pontiac Public Schools and its participating students have observed measurable literacy growth and expanded enthusiasm regarding reading since entering the program. Due to the organizations’ successes, Read to a Child Detroit has been invited to partner with two additional schools in 2017 and has been approached by numerous other schools interested in having their students benefit from the Lunchtime Reading Program.

In order to meet the rising needs of students in our community, Read to a Child relies on community contributions of both time and financial resources. For the entire month of March, Read to a Child-Detroit is committed to raising $25,000 to support 1500 one-on-one Lunchtime Reading Program sessions for underserved children. Additionally, the organization seeks to add 100 volunteer mentors support the Lunchtime Reading Program at Schools in Detroit and Pontiac. To volunteer or donate, visit www.readtoachild.org or contact Ky Lindberg, Detroit Director at ky.lindberg@readtoachild.org or 313-486-9114.

What is Read to a Child?
Read to a Child, www.readtoachild.org, is a national nonprofit literacy and mentoring organization that inspires caring adults to read aloud regularly to at-risk children to create better opportunities for the child’s future. Research shows that reading aloud to children is the single most important activity for eventual success in reading, a key factor for success in school, work, and life. When an adult reads aloud to a child, both parties have a joyful, rewarding experience that instills a love of reading, improves literacy skills, and enhances a child’s self-confidence. Read to a Child’s Lunchtime Reading Program utilizes 1,500 volunteer mentors from more than 100 socially-minded organizations who read one-on-one to nearly 1,200 at-risk elementary school students in greater Boston, Connecticut, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Miami.

Media Contact:
Kyesha Lindberg
Detroit Director
313.486.9114
ky.lindberg@readtoachild.org