Each year, National Read Across America Day is celebrated on March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss. The annual event is part of Read Across America, a nationwide initiative designed to encourage a love of reading in children through schools and community partnerships.
This year, the United Way of Orange County joined the celebration by hosting reading sessions from March 2–6 and March 9–12. In honor of its 100-year anniversary, the organization pledged to read 100 books to local children in partnership with the YMCA through the Y-Reads program.
Through its network of partner agencies, United Way of Orange County reached children across all five local independent school districts, helping foster literacy and a lifelong love of reading.
Volunteers signed up for one-hour shifts during the two-week event, reading two to three short books to small groups of children in the Y-Reads program. Books were provided — volunteers contributed their voices and enthusiasm, showing children that reading can be fun and engaging.
“Our volunteers brought stories to life, and in doing so, they helped children discover just how exciting reading can be,” said Laci Gibbens, Corporate Volunteer Manager of United Way of Orange County. “The smiles, questions, and curiosity we saw during these sessions are the true measure of this event’s success.”
By reaching children throughout the community and sharing the joy of reading, United Way of Orange County continues to inspire literacy and a lifelong love of learning.
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