"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."
Wise words from Theodor Seuss Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) our rhyming, whimsical, national treasure. In many ways, I think you could say that he was also the "original rapper!"
Last week scores of Y volunteers, friends and associates from across the region jumped into the fun to participate in National Education Association’s Read Across America Week, a celebration of the joy of reading and Dr. Seuss’ birthday, with guest readers dropping by to read to children at all 37 Head Start and Preschool sites throughout Central Maryland. I had the opportunity to read to kids at both the Riverside Preschool in Harford County and the Sherwood/Leith Walk Head Start site in Baltimore City, and all I can tell you is that reading Fox in Socks is as much of a challenge, in many ways, as James Joyce’s Ulysses! And, of course, it ultimately makes more sense.
This linked story in the Baltimore Sun provides more details on the Y’s celebration of the joy of reading and contains a wonderful photo gallery as well!
Thank you to all of our special guest readers who made time to trip through the tongue twisters with us and help recognize the importance (and fun!) of reading! We also want to give special thanks to Annette Danek and all our friends at Penguin Random House, the national sponsor of Read Across America Week, who donated books to all 1,600 children enrolled in our Head Start and Preschool programs across the region, as they have many years in a row! Penguin Random House has been an enormously generous supporter of the Y who always answers the call of the indefatigable Jeff Sprinkle, our Chief Philanthropy Officer and former Penguin Random House executive.
Jeff proves his boundless energy by not only making the "ask," but by also delivering the books as well! I think that Dr. Seuss may have had Jeff and to all of the participants in last week’s festivities when he wrote:
“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the things you can think up if only you try!”
The smiles of the kids’ faces make trying pretty easy.
All the best,
John
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland