Free books inspire young readers at READ UNITED Book Bash

 
Access to books is a first step in improving literacy and the Anchorage community is leaping the hurdle by delivering more than 5,000 books at an upcoming United Way of Anchorage event. As families prepare to return to school, the READ UNITED End of Summer Book Bash is getting local kids ready for success, bringing community partners and resources together. The event is free for families, with books available for youth, ages 0 to 12, on Wednesday, Aug. 10, at Clark Middle School from 4 to 6 p.m. 
 
The book bash is one example of the Cradle to Career Anchorage initiative convened by United Way of Anchorage, which launched earlier this year to demonstrate that supporting youth and education needs to extend beyond the traditional classrooms. Businesses have responded, with local favorites including Raising Cane’s taking the lead with its Summer Read-Aloud Challenge that called on kids to read seven books in exchange for a free Cane’s Kids Combo. The Read Aloud-Book Challenge winners will be announced at the event.
 
Other businesses who jumped in to support the Read United Book Drive included Alaska Industrial Hardware, KGOT 101.3FM, Anchorage Public Library, Best Beginnings, GCI, Fred Meyer, Skinny Raven, Title Wave, Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. and Alaska Literacy Program collecting the more than 5,000 books that will be distributed on Wednesday. 
 
“We have an ambitious goal to achieve 80% reading proficiency for area youth by 2026, today, we’re at half that,” said June Sobocinski, Vice President for Community Advancement, United Way of Anchorage. “We’re certainly encouraged by the momentum of Cradle to Career Anchorage, its partners, and the community, but there’s a lot of work to be done. Every child, no matter the circumstances, can be successful. As a community, we can make sure that all children have access to the right tools and resources.”
 
Alaska falls below the national average in grade four reading, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Only 40% of 3rd-grade children in Anchorage are reading proficiently. 
 
Community resources including Alaska Public Media, 2-1-1, Volunteers of America Alaska, Best Beginnings, ASD Countdown to Kindergarten, Alaska Black Caucus, Alaska Literacy Program, Anchorage Public Library, RurAL CAP, and thread Alaska will join United Way of Anchorage at the event to help families understand available resources. 
 
“Raising Cane’s recognizes education as the foundation for each community and its children to achieve their potential,” said Raising Cane’s Marketing Leader Ali Urbick. “With this in mind, we were excited to support the United Way of Anchorage with our Summer Read-Aloud Challenge, which incentivizes reading with a free Kids Combo Meal and other fun prizes.”
 
You can find more information online at the United Way of Anchorage Book Bash website.
 
About United Way of Anchorage
United Way of Anchorage is a community of donors, advocates, volunteers, and partners working together to improve the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community. LIVE UNITED. www.LiveUnitedANC.org
 
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