In the fall semester, United Way partners with Lubbock County school districts for United We Read. Through the program, volunteers visit every second-grade classroom in the county, read a book, lead a craft, and send every child home with a book copy. Approximately 3,500 students and 500 volunteers participate annually.
The purpose of the event is to highlight the importance of students being grade-level readers by third grade. At this point, students who have not mastered basic reading skills will begin to fall behind in every area of study as classrooms shift from learning how to read to reading to learn. Children who do not hit this important milestone are more likely to struggle academically and eventually drop out of school. The event also emphasizes the importance of parents reading with their children.
In 2022, United We Read will take place on October 27. We'll be reading the book A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon.
There are tons of opportunities to volunteer both before and on the day of the event. Help prep crafts, deliver books and supplies to schools, read in a classroom, or help lead crafts.
You can sign-up as an individual or as a team.
