Impact Week: Connecting With Early Readers
November 14, 2017
[su_label type=”info”]IMPACT WEEK[/su_label]
After finishing as a guest reader at New Genesis Learning Center, Amie Meints was nearly bowled over by a crowd of hug-seeking preschoolers. It was all the confirmation needed to show the impact that she and co-worker Jason McFadden made that day.
The two were among 10 Humphrey Products employees who fanned out across the Kalamazoo area in teams of two last week for their United Way Day of Caring. The volunteers read and delivered books to pre-K classrooms at 30 child-care centers in two days as part of Humphrey’s UW campaign.
All of the centers work with KC Ready 4s, a nonprofit organization that partnered with Humphrey and the Kalamazoo Public Library to organize the effort. KPL donated the books that volunteers read and gifted to the classrooms, and also provided training in how to read to children.
KC Ready 4s is one of 21 education-based partner agencies currently funded by United Way BCKR under its Education focus area, and works to ensure early childhood success, a critical factor in a child’s ability to learn, graduate and thrive. Kindergarten readiness is one of three priorities set by United Way in its education strategy.
“We’re thrilled that a company recognizes the value of high-quality pre-K and the impact it has on the child and the entire community,” said Sandra Standish, Executive Director of KC Ready 4s.
“Children love adults coming into their classroom. They’re always curious,” she added. “It’s always good to show children that people other than parents or grandparents or teachers are interested in books and reading.”
Humphrey adopted KC Ready 4s as its theme agency this year, and Standish spoke at the company’s United Way campaign kickoff event, sharing information and data about the importance of early childhood education.
Linda Rynd, Human Resources Manager at Humphrey, said Standish’s message resonated with employees, many of whom have young families.
In choosing a theme agency, “we try to find something that’s meaningful to employees,” Rynd said.
At New Genesis, Meints and McFadden read “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” and “In the Middle of Fall” to three separate classrooms. It was their second stop of the day, with three more to go the following day.
Tamie Moran, child-care administrator at New Genesis, said the kids were excited to have guest readers.
“It’s real interesting to see how the story comes alive to them after they’ve had people come in and read to them,” she said. “It opens our kids up, gives them more diversity in the classroom with people from different walks of life coming in to share.
“It’s a big deal,” Moran added. “It’s nice that Humphrey gives their employees time off to do that because they want to give back to the community. What a cool way.”
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