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United Way of Inner Wisconsin

 

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  • United Way of Inner Wisconsin's Great Book Giveaway was a success!

  • United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s Great Book Giveaway was held June 12-14, 2012 in six different communities.  Volunteers read books to children at each location and free books were distributed to every child present.  This year, over 200 children participated!
  • Events were held at Sand Lot Park in Wisconsin Rapids; the Adams-Friendship Elementary School Playground; the Rudolph Elementary School Playground; the Vesper Community Academy Playground; the Edwards-Alexander Memorial Park in Port Edwards; and Humke Elementary School Playground in Nekoosa.
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  • The books that were distributed were raised during a new/gently used book drive held in March, 2012.  Over 300 books were raised during this book drive.
  • 14 volunteers read books to the children at these events.  “The volunteers really brought life to the stories they were reading,” said Tari Jahns, United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s CEO.  “The children enjoyed this so much, you can tell by watching their faces.  They love reading and being read to!”
  • This initiative helps to reduce the barriers of parents reading to their children at home.  Statistics show that when children own their own books, and when they are readily accessible in the home, parents, guardians and caregivers are more likely to read to kids.  Reading to children is crucial to help increase school preparedness and improve literacy skills.
  • “This is just another example of what we can do when we work together as a community,” said Jahns.  “The people who donated books… the volunteers who gave of their time… and the parents, guardians and caregivers who cared enough to bring their kids out to the Great Book Giveaway.  Together we can help give our local kids the tools they need to succeed in school and in life!”
  • Click here to view our photo gallery!