United Way Day of Action 

Promoting Reading and Literacy 

This year, the Heart of Florida United Way’s Volunteer Resource Center will be holding its annual Day of Action on Monday, June 17, 2013. In an effort to encourage and foster reading and literacy in children, we will be engaging volunteers in fun, interactive games and activities with youth.

Our focus on reading and literacy originates from the phenomenon of “summer reading loss”—or the gradual decline of reading proficiency while children are away from the classroom.

To make matters worse, children already struggling to maintain grade-appropriate reading levels or those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are often the ones affected the most by summer reading loss. However, encouraging children to read during the summer and making it fun can help keep them on par with their peers. 

 How can you boost a child’s chance for success in school and get involved in this year’s Day of Action?

·         Hold a children’s book drive at your home, school, or office – we have been collecting new and gently used children’s books (K-12) throughout April and May to be utilized during Day of Action activities on June 17.

·         Join our book sorting party – after we have collected all of the books, we will need to have them sorted by age groups and appropriateness during the week prior to the main event.
 

·         Volunteer in your community on June 17 for the Day of Action – volunteers will be visiting numerous schools and community organizations with summer programs to share the joy of reading with children. These projects may include reading aloud, rhyming games, word BINGO, skits, and many more!

Please click here to view and sign up for a Day of Action volunteeer opportunity on June 17. If you have any questions or need further details about any of the projects, email Matthew.Blood@hfuw.org or call (407) 849-2372. 

Click below for photos from previous events:

 Day of Action 2012
Day of Action 2011

Day of Action 2010

Day of Action 2009