Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Works to Promote Early Childhood Literacy

One hundred seventeen high level executives recently read to eager pre-k and kindergarten and students as part of the 6th annual Read to Me Early Literacy Program, presented by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Bank of America and the School District of Philadelphia.

The executives took time out of their busy schedules to read Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina to more than 3,200 students at 25 public schools throughout the city.

The goal: to demonstrate the business community's support for early literacy and promote the value of regularly reading aloud to young children.

"It’s a tremendous experience when you’re sitting in a classroom with a group of children that are absolutely hungry to learn," said Bank of America Market President Tom Woodward. "It gives you a sense of what a teacher does everyday, and reinforces the importance of corporations showing their commitment to literacy and becoming actively engaged in their communities."

As part of the Read to Me Early Literacy Program, each school receives a collection of 300 books, for pre-k and kindergarten classrooms, that the children can read with their parents, caregivers, or teachers throughout the school year. The program also includes professional development workshops for teachers and parents.

Over the past five years, this program has cultivated numerous relationships between the business community and participating schools. Many executives that have participated as readers continue to provide support for the program through book drives, donations, art work contests and returning to read to students throughout the school year.

And, with the support of Endo Pharmaceuticals, DeVry University, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com, South Jersey Energy Solutions, Verizon and Wal-Mart, the program expanded to an additional three schools this year. The program now impacts 13% of the District’s schools and 14% if its students.

Chamber President & CEO Rob Wonderling stressed that educational attainment is critically important in order for Greater Philadelphia to succeed. “The Chamber, Bank of America and our other program sponsors are committed to ensuring that Philadelphia school children develop a love for reading at an early age,” he said. “Read to Me instills the values of literacy within Philadelphia's youth, and those values help students set goals for their future and exceed their own expectations.”

Donations of time and money (for more books) are always welcome. For more information, contact Tara Quay at 215-790-3732 or email tquay@greaterphilachamber.com.