Local Rotary Calls for Volunteers for Second Annual Savannah Rotary Read-In
(SAVANNAH, GA) The Rotary Club of Savannah is searching for volunteers to serve as community readers for the second annual Savannah Rotary Read-In on Wednesday, March 13, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Last year’s inaugural event drew 526 volunteer readers who read to students in 566 classrooms. This year, Savannah-Chatham public schools plans to add pre-kindergarten to the list, which means Rotarians and volunteers will read to students in 600 pre-k through third-grade classrooms in 32 schools.
“We hope to promote literacy with nearly 15,000 local students at this event,” said Lowell Kronowitz, president of the Rotary Club of Savannah. “Our goal is to have around 600 volunteers join our Rotarians in giving back by reading for one hour on this special day to spark young imaginations and encourage the desire to read more.”
A report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation indicates children who aren’t reading at grade level by the end of third grade are four times as likely to drop out of high school.
Debra Larson, president & CEO of Hospice Savannah, and retired trucking company owner Frank Moore, Jr., who serves as a substitute teacher in the school system, are co-chairing the event. Moore introduced the idea when he moved to Savannah from California where his club there had run the program for 26 years.
“We are looking for volunteers to help just one day for one hour with just one book. The impact for the students is tremendous,” said Moore.
The club also is seeking 32 volunteers to serve as liaisons to handle communication with the schools’ personnel, confirm classrooms and identify books for the read-in.
E Shavers Booksellers is offering a discount to anyone who buys a children’s book to read during the event.
To register to read at the Savannah Rotary Read-In, please sign up here by March 7: https://savannahrotaryreadin.com/
ABOUT THE ROTARY CLUB OF SAVANNAH
The Rotary Club of Savannah includes 225 community leaders and volunteers. Over the past 103 years, the club has championed local and regional developments that include completing the road to Tybee Island, improving the Savannah River for commercial traffic, enhancing the Dixie Highway system in southeast Georgia and building bridges over the Savannah and Altamaha Rivers. Most recently in recognition of the 100th anniversary, the club raised funds and constructed an all-accessible playground in Forsyth Park. Meetings are held each Monday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the DeSoto Hotel, 15 E. Liberty Street. For more information, visit www.savrotary.org
FOR MORE INFO CONTACT:
Frank Moore, Jr.
frankm.jr@prodigy.net
912-604-5319