Jumpstart believes in the potential inside of each child to succeed and learn and focuses on early literacy as the path to fulfilling that potential.
In 2006, Jumpstart created Read for the Record, “an international campaign to bring preschool children together with valued grownups in their lives to read the same book, on the same day, in communities all over the world.”
As a mother, as an educator, and as a human being, I believe that literacy is one of the most important gifts we can give to our children. Reading is a key to entire worlds filled with possibilities. Which is why it is so important that we give every child access to books. Our public libraries, so much more than just repositories for books, need to be vibrant hubs of our communities…a place for children to feel safe to discover, laugh and learn.
Here in Suffolk County, my playgroup has started a chapter of the Quaker Kids Care Club and the first project my family is leading is a book drive for our local Reach out and Read Site. Reach Out and Read clinics provide print rich environments and books for children, some of whom have never owned their own books!
Like the people at Jumpstart, I believe it is especially important to give at-risk children the opportunity to read. Because reading is a great equalizer, giving everyone access to the same information and knowledge. Reading also empowers kids to think in new and different ways. Books can also be a bridge between cultures. Each book is a treasure chest of gems that reflect the brilliant light of the reader.
Walmart is a sponsor of this year’s Read for the Record and you can purchase the official Read for the Record edition of The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Walmart. I am honored to contribute to Walmart’s Read for the Record page and you may see my entire video in support of Jumpstart at the bottom of this post.
How you can help:
- Pledge to join Jumpstart on October 8 in breaking last year’s record of almost 700,000 readers.
- Buy an official copy of the Read for the Record edition through Jumpstart and all proceeds will go to benefit Jumpstart’s literacy efforts for low-income children.
- Sponsor a book for a child in Jumpstart programs.
- Raise awareness by joining the twitter party on September 24, 2009 from 8-10pm CST. Participate by adding #jumpstart to your tweets. (details & prizes here)
Pledge to read today with hundreds of thousands of parents, volunteers, celebrities, and little old me and for Jumpstart’s Read for the Record and help ensure that the fourth annual Campaign on October 8, 2009 reaches more children than ever before!
Because literacy is a gift that is always the right size, always in style, and lasts a lifetime.
