Reach Out and Read Donation
Primrose Schools, a leading franchisor of early childhood education centers, recently donated $100,000 to Reach Out and Read, a national not-for-profit organization that makes books and reading a part of pediatric care – especially for low income families. More than 18,000 students from 160 Primrose Schools nationwide participated in school-based fundraising events, and together, they raised $100,000.
Funds from the Primrose Schools donation will enable Reach Out and Read to help more than 30,000 children in areas of need throughout the country – with a special emphasis on Primrose communities.
According to Jo Kirchner, president and CEO of Primrose Schools, the donation reflects Primrose’s goal of promoting early literacy skills among young children. “Reading provides one of the best indicators of a child’s future academic success in school. Every child should be read to regularly, and should be encouraged to use books as a resource and for entertainment.”
Students from Primrose Schools showed their love for reading during donation events at Reach Out and Read locations across the country. During each event, students announced the $100,000 donation and held ‘rally’ signs that touted “I love to read!” “Dr. Seuss rules!” and “Read for fun!” The children also guided red wagons full of donated books for Reach Out and Read families.
“Reach Out and Read provides a very valuable community service,” added Kirchner. “We plan to work with the organization in the future.”
The Reach Out and Read program reaches more than 2.5 million children between the ages of 6 months and 5-years-old by providing them with a book at well child visits. In addition, participating doctors and nurses receive training from Reach Out and Read to properly educate parents about the importance of reading with their children.
“We are thrilled to receive this generous gift from Primrose, and we appreciate their desire to promote children’s literacy in their communities. Primrose’s commitment to early childhood education is a natural fit with our goal to encourage the love of reading,” said Martha Gershun, executive director of Reach Out and Read.
Preschoolers at Primrose Schools across the country helped raise the funds through the school’s character development program that teaches students to care for others. Giving back to the community is a key component of Primrose Schools’ exclusive Balanced Learning® curriculum, which uniquely balances character development with academics and play.