UWSC helps local school children ‘Read and Rise’

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, November 14, 2012

LULING — United Way of St. Charles partnered with Clear Channel Radio to provide the “Read and Rise” program to 246 children at Norco Elementary School.

As part of the “Read and Rise” program, United Way of St. Charles approved a $6,000 grant to fund one Title One school in St. Charles Parish. Children are provided with $5 vouchers to receive one free book at the Scholastic Book Fair.

“In the past week, two of our students told me that they would not be able to buy a book from the book fair. Today, my heart is filled with joy because I know that those two children, as well as every other child in our school, will take home a book of their choice from the book fair,” stated Norco Elementary Librarian Kim Guidry.

“Read and Rise” is a Scholastic national literacy initiative designed to bring families, schools and communities together to support children’s literacy development.

“Countless studies prove that when children have the opportunity to choose books they want to read for fun, it leads them to a lifelong love of reading and learning. Encouraging children to read for fun is the single most important thing we can do to help them succeed in school,” stated John Dias, UWSC executive director.

For more information about United Way of St. Charles and its programs, call 985-331-9063 or visit www.uwaysc.org.