United Way looking for Volunteer Readers for October 19

United Way of Southeastern Connecticut is partnering with local schools across New London County as part of the annual Read for the Record event. Join us as a volunteer reader on October 19, 2017 to be a part of the world’s largest shared reading experience.

Read for the Record from Jumpstart brings together more than two million people each year in classrooms, libraries, community centers, and homes across the U.S. This annual campaign was launched over a decade ago to highlight the importance of building early literacy and language skills for every child, so that all children have the opportunity to enter kindergarten prepared to succeed.

This year's book is Quackers by Liz Wong, a story about a kitten who grows up believing he’s a duck, until the days he meets another kitten. What follows is a tale about understanding, acceptance, and learning it’s ok to be whoever you want to be. All books are donated to each school as a gift from United Way.

United Way is inviting volunteer readers to take part in the event. Volunteers will typically read to several classrooms at once in the school library or within individuals classrooms, and there is an opportunity to read on your own or be paired up with another volunteer.

Volunteer readers can expect to visit a school from approximately 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. There will be an orientation at United Way in Gales Ferry prior to the reading event at 8:30 a.m. for all volunteers to pick up their school assignment, supplies, and instructions. All volunteer readers receive a brief training and practice in reading the book at United Way before leaving for their assignment.

Space is extremely limited for this popular volunteer event. Early registration is strongly suggested.

For more information or if your school is interested in participating, please contact Sarah at United Way by Thursday, October 5 at sarah.mcdermott@uwsect.org or 860.464.3323.

About United Way of Southeastern Connecticut
United Way of Southeastern Connecticut is a locally-based non-profit organization supporting a network of 72 health and human services, programs, and initiatives in New London County that work together to help people in need and improve community conditions. Supported programs include early care and education, child development and disabilities, physical and mental health care, crisis intervention, shelter, employment training, emergency/disaster preparation, and response and recovery service.
 
United Way operates the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center which provides food to 84 free emergency food programs, including a Mobile Pantry, at no cost to those in need. United Way supports 2-1-1 Connecticut for free information and referral 24/7 and Project Warm-up for one-time, emergency heating assistance. Visit United Way online at www.uwsect.org to get involved.