Albion-Homer United Way Helps Little Big Read Project
Books designed to spark reading enjoyment will be part of Albion’s Little Big Read at Harrington Elementary School. The program is partially funded by the Albion-Homer United Way through a recent $1,500 grant.
As a community-backed program the Little Big Read also received $500 from the Albion branch of the NAACP. The reading initiative is a spin-off from Albion’s Big Read through Albion College.
According to Albion College Professor Jess Roberts the Big Read director, the Little Big Read is designed to “distribute books—selected by Harrington teachers—to all the adults and all the children at Harrington, and teachers and others will create and implement activities, both classroom-specific and school-wide, inspired by the books. Those activities, spanning 2-4 weeks, will produce excitement about the book and engagement among the kids and adults at Harrington.”
Companion books based on reading levels were selected for grades kindergarten through second and for third through fifth. The chapter books are Cleo Edison Oliver, Playground Millionaire by Sundee Frazier and Tallulah the Tooth Fairy CEO by Dr. Tamara Pizzolli.
In addition Frazier will visit Albion from October 19 through 21 for a school visit to meet with Harrington student-readers.
Albion-Homer United Way’s commitment is to help fund non-profit programs through grants. On-going donations throughout the year are needed for funding these efforts.
According to AHUW Executive Director Marcia Starkey there are several good reasons to donate to the local United Way including that donations fund Albion and Homer specific programs and funding decisions are made by a local board. Donor lists are never shared with other agencies and payroll deductions make donating easier. Donations can be mailed at any time to AHUW P.O. Box 55, Albion, MI 49224, made on-line at www.albionhomeruw.org or by contacting Starkey at 517-499-2563.
AHUW board members are Carolyn Amos, Donisha Brewer, Chris Burdette, Robert Hawkins, Art Kale, Marc Newman, Isabell Nazar, Eddie Williams and Shane Williamson.
