Women's Leadership Council of United Way of Lake County Celebrates Read Across America Day In North Chicago, IL
Women's Leadership Council of United Way of Lake County Celebrates Read Across America Day In North Chicago, IL
Lake County Affinity Group partners with Green Bay Early Childhood Center to read to over 250 children in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday
North Chicago, IL (March 2, 2017) - The Women's Leadership Council of United Way of Lake County (WLC) organized a special reading day at Green Bay Early Childhood Center (GBECC) in honor of Read Across America Day, a nationwide reading celebration that takes place on the birthday of the beloved children's author, Dr. Seuss.
WLC members read to over 250 preschool-aged children and donated Dr. Seuss books to GBECC's library. This initiative is an extension of the WLC's signature focus on early childhood literacy in Lake County's most vulnerable communities. Since 2014, WLC has granted over $175,000 to early literacy programs in communities including Waukegan, North Chicago, Round Lake and Zion.
"Through the early childhood literacy programs that the WLC funds, we help ensure that these children get the support they need to start kindergarten on the right foot so they can be successful in school. It's gratifying to witness the impact and difference WLC's support has made possible for these young children and their futures and to know that I had a part in it," says Lori Cruz, WLC member and Corporate Counsel at Allstate Insurance Company.
WLC has established a strong partnership with GBECC, using their talents and resources to conduct special engagement opportunities, provide books and learning materials for children during their summer and winter breaks, and create a well-equipped learning environment for administration to serve its 275 children.
Read Across America Day is a holiday WLC has celebrated at GBECC for the past two years to share the love of reading. "Anytime we can make a big deal about literacy, it brings enthusiasm and an eagerness to read more. Many of our children do not have books in their homes so we are creating an appetite for reading at an early age," adds Janina Hall, GBECC Early Childhood Program Coordinator.
WLC is a group of corporate professionals, entrepreneurs, retirees, teachers, legislative leaders, government official, stay-at-home moms, serial volunteers and nonprofit executives working to improve the educational futures of children in Lake County. "Being a member of WLC has allowed me to work with lots of wonderful women who have a heart of gold supporting more Lake County children than I could do alone. I believe in giving back and helping others and the impact WLC has on our children has continued to exceed my expectations," Karen Jones, WLC member and Abbott retiree, shares.
To learn more about Lake County's leading philanthropic group, contact Diana Nielander, Affinity Group Manager at United Way of Lake County, at diana.nielander@uwlakeco.org.