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Oct. 27 deemed Read for the Record Day
Youngsters and adult mentors will observe Jumpstart Read for The Record Day on Oct. 27. CONTRIBUTED
MADISON COUNTY – For the eighth consecutive year, United Way of Madison County is rallying residents to break a record for reading.
County and city leaders are declaring Oct. 27 as Jumpstart Read for The Record Day in Madison County. Youngsters and their mentors will share one special picture book, “The Bear Ate Your Sandwich” by Julia Sarcone-Roach.
“In one day, hundreds of children from three to eight years old and adults who care about them will come together to raise awareness of the importance of reading,” Cathy Miller said. Miller works as Community Impact Director for United Way.
United Way and corporate sponsors Intergraph Corporation and PROJECT XYZ are leading the charge. Participating key partners are Huntsville City Schools and Huntsville-Madison County Public Library with its pre-school story times. “Employees from both organizations are stepping up as United Way Guest Readers,” Miller said.
“The Bear Ate Your Sandwich” will be shared at public reading sites, including Huntsville Botanical Garden, University of Alabama at Birmingham Clinic, Burritt on the Mountain, Pump It Up, Early Works Museum, Greene Street Market and Downtown Huntsville Inc.
Volunteers as guest readers for United Way “will help make this a record-breaking day by reading to one or more classes and delivering a special copy of the book for the classroom library to keep,” Miller said. “Each year, we break our local record, which was 1,943 in 2015, and add to the national record of over two million.”
“This year, our goal is over 2,000, and we have drawn an increasing number of corporate and community organizations together in this single, focused effort,” Miller said. “The more children and families we get excited about reading, the more doors of opportunity open. This one day can be the beginning of a life of literacy and promise.”
Miller is challenging residents to get involved as volunteers or share the story with their own children. “Help us raise awareness of the importance of reading regularly with young children,” she said.
For more information, call 256-518-8203, email cathy.miller@uwmadisoncounty.org or visit uwmadisoncounty.org.
