A number of local organizations are joining with the Gatway United Way to promote ‘Drop Everything And Read Week. During the “Drop Everything and READ!” week, April 6th to April 12th, there will be a different event every day that children and their parents can participate in at various locations around Clinton. ‘Read more’ for details and more information including the schedule of activities.
“Children who cannot read well by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school,” said Lisa Howes, United Way Board Member. Yet, many children get to third grade without reading well. One of United Way of Clinton County, Iowa’s (UWCCI) initiatives is to boost early reading. For that reason, UWCCI has joined with other community organizations such as: ASAC/New Directions, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Central Community School District, City of Clinton Recreation Department, Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce, Clinton Community School District, Clinton Public Library, Clinton Rotary Club, Felix Adler Children’s Discovery Center, Mississippi Bend AEA, Partners of Exceptional Persons (PEP), Women’s Health Services, and YWCA to promote the importance of reading during our “Drop Everything and READ!” week.
On Wednesday, March 25, 2015, there was a small ribbon cutting ceremony to initiate the “United Way Lending Libraries” at the YWCA on 7th Avenue South. Present at the ceremony were Shannon Sander Welzien, Allie Kibler and children from the YWCA; Kellie Hillis from Big Brothers Big Sisters; Andy Sokolovich, Cathy McDanel, Francie Hill, Jeanne Williams, Sarah Hood, Carissa Evans, Cindy Kiester, Patricia Niemann, Rich Phelan, Nathan Sondgeroth, and Joni Krogman from Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce; Paul Gassman from the City Council; and Cheryl McCulloh, Jennifer Lee, Lisa and Steve Howes from United Way of Clinton County, Iowa.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was in preparation for the upcoming “Drop Everything and READ!” week April 6th through April 12th. On April 9th, at various locations around the city, there will be United Way Lending Libraries placed for children and adults in the community to help give the people in our community a way to have increased access to books.
The United Way Lending Libraries were built by CCSD Building and Trading classes and painted by Steve Howes’ family. All materials were paid for by the United Way of Clinton County, Iowa. These United Way Lending Libraries are FREE and are for all ages. On the outside of the lending library you will see “Take a book, leave a book.” This means you can go up to any one of the libraries and if you see a book you like, take it, go home, and read it. Finished with the book? Bring it back to any of the United Way Lending Libraries when you are done. If you have a bunch of books you no longer read or need, you can leave them at any one of the United Way Lending libraries. For more information contact United Way of Clinton County, Iowa at 563-242-1209, or any of the lending library locations.
United Way Lending Library locations are: Associate Benevolent Society, Curtis Mansion, Ericksen Center, Felix Adler Children’s Discovery Center, First Congregational Church, Kids First Academy, United Way of Clinton County, Iowa, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), Women’s Health Services, and YWCA Children’s Centers at both Main and Lyons Campuses. More lending libraries will be placed soon at Bethel AME, Riverview Pool, and the Sawmill Museum.
During our “Drop Everything and READ!” week, April 6th to April 12th, there will be a different event every day that children and their parents can participate in at various locations around Clinton.
April 6th – “This is What They Do at the Y; What Do You Do at Home?” The YWCA will be holding this event so their students can “Drop Everything and READ!” Kids will bring pajamas, blankets and pillows from home, which they can use to cozy up and read after lunch. For more ideas of what you can do with your family, contact Allie Kibler at 563-242-2110.
April 7th – “Sharpen Your Focus and Their’s; Read to Someone Today!” The Big Brothers and Big Sisters will be hosting celebrity readers to go to various schools/assisted living homes and read to the students. Some of the celebrities are: Lumberking Players, firemen, policemen, Shocko the Clown, and so many more. For more information contact Kellie Hillis at 563-243-4223.
April 8th –PAWS for Reading: “Read to a Therapy Dog!” Children will read individually in
10-minute sessions to trained therapy pets (and their handlers) at the Clinton Public Library.
Registration Required: Contact the library at 563-243-5436 or sign up at the Children’s Desk.
April 9th – “Take a Book, Leave a Book” The United Way of Clinton County, Iowa will have books at fifteen United Way Lending Libraries.
April 10th – “An Adventure is Calling at Your Local Public Library…Will You Answer? You Just Might Meet an Author.” Several local authors will be present at the Lyons Public Library to sign books, talk to patrons, etc. Some of our local authors will be Misty Evans, Amy Mannemann, Kristal Shaff, Francesca Hawley, McKenzley Morris, Dionne Witt, Deena Nehring, and many more. For more information contact Jeni Van Buer at 563-242-6454.
April 11th – “Don’t Forget to Play and Then Read!” Stop by the Ericksen Center for a Play Day with sports oriented games and skills and challenges, tour the Ericksen Center’s satellite library, and take a book home to read on Sunday. For more information contact Josh Eggers at 563-242-1260.
April 12th – “Drop Everything and Read!” Felix Adler Children’s Discovery Center has play and explore time. There will be a series activities that encourage participants to “Drop Everything and Read.” Along with reading a book, there will also be a live theatrical performance of each of the four stories. Participating in all activities will earn each participant a free ice cream cone and special prize from a participating restaurant. For more information contact Sarah Lind at 563-243-3600.
