Montgomery, AL – On June 21, 2017, United Ways around the world will provide meaningful, impact-oriented service opportunities that advance community goals in education, financial stability and health through an annual “United Way Day of Action” project. Locally, the River Region United Way is answering this call-to-action with a project mobilizing volunteers to assist with children’s activities as part of a summer reading camp.
WHAT: River Region United Way Day of Action
WHEN: June 19-22, 2017 (8am – 12pm)
WHERE: E.T. Davis Elementary, 3605 Rosa Parks Avenue, Montgomery
WHO: Individuals and groups interested in volunteering (ages 18 and older)
The purpose of this year’s Day of Action project is three-fold: To provide opportunities for these children to develop a love of reading; to foster parent/child interaction and parental involvement by encouraging parents to read with their children; and to improve reading retention for K-5 students returning to school after summer break, when many reading skills are lost because they are not practiced.
Although “Day of Action” is June 21, United Way is recruiting 90 volunteers to serve on June 19-22, assisting with children’s activities as part of the summer reading program for students at E.T. Davis Elementary. There are 13 90-minute volunteer shifts available between 8am and noon each day. 30 volunteers are needed for each shift, and volunteers can sign up for just one shift or as many volunteer shifts as they would like. Individuals and groups are encouraged to register.
Volunteers will assist school staff with children’s activities, including scavenger hunts for library treasurers, character parades where children can wear costumes of their favorite characters, “Book BINGO” with authors and books, timed readings at the “Book Buffet,” storytelling and craft projects.
On Wednesday, June 21 (the official date of United Way’s Day of Action), each child will receive a backpack filled with 10 books of their very own that they can take home and read this summer.
“We are excited to partner with Montgomery Public Schools on a project that will help instill a love of reading early in the lives of children,” said Ann Cooper, Vice President of Community Impact at the River Region United Way. “At United Way, we believe that a good education is one of the most important building blocks that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family, and a life of good health. Unfortunately, too many children from low-income families do not have many opportunities to strengthen their reading skills, which stymies their education.”
This project is made possible by the generous support of the Robert & Toni Bader Charitable Foundation.
To register to volunteer, or for more information, visit www.RiverRegionUnitedWay.org/
Note: Enrollment in the summer reading camp is limited to students at E.T. Davis Elementary who have registered to participate.
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About River Region United Way (RRUW)
The mission of the River Region United Way is to advance the common good by uniting volunteers, donors and community partners to improve the quality of life in the River Region. Through its 40+ affiliate agencies, the River Region United Way serves nearly 135,000 people in Autauga, Elmore, Lowndes, Macon and Montgomery Counties. To Give, Advocate or Volunteer, visit www.RiverRegionUnitedWay.org<h
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