Children's Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia: Free Children’s Books Giveaways and Summer Reading Activities Planned

The Children’s Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia (CRFMC) will give away 10,000 books at over 26 events this summer, beginning Monday, May 22, 2023.  The CRFMC is offering free reading activities and book giveaways throughout the Mid-Columbia all summer long as part of the national READ Up: Stop the Summer Slide℠ program.
 
READ Up aims to reverse the summer slide, an occurrence where school-age children can lose up to three months of reading skills during the summer break. The summer slide begins the first week students are out of school.
 
We will officially kick-off the READ Up: Stop the Summer Slide℠ program on June 16th, 2023 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM at Peanuts Park in Pasco with free books, literacy activities for kids, bubbles, balloons, and bike giveaways!
 
“We are excited to partner with many local organizations throughout the Mid-Columbia this summer to get kids reading! The Richland Public Library, Mid-Columbia Libraries, food banks through the Mid-Columbia, Northwest Public Broadcasting, the City of Pasco, and school districts from Finley to Basin City to just to name a few!” said Leanne Luehrs-Purcell, Executive Director, CRFMC.  “We want to make sure families understand the importance of reading throughout the summer months.  We want to send kids back to school in the fall prepared and ready.”
 
READ Up events are for children from birth to fifth grade and their parents or caregivers. Materials are available in English and Spanish.  At every event, adults leave with new skills and motivation to encourage their young readers, and children select a new book and fun take-home materials. Research shows that access to books, books in the home and reading aloud leads to gains in children’s pre-literacy and literacy skills.
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Please visit our social media pages: @read20Minutes and The Children’s Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia to find dates and locations throughout the summer.

READ Up is a program of The Children’s Reading Foundation. A national nonprofit focused on ensuring every child learns to read early and well, thereby reaching his or her full potential in school and in life.

For more information, contact Leanne Luehrs-Purcell or visit Read20Minutes.com