Wausau Early Bird Rotary has made a commitment to support literacy in families in Marathon County. One of the key features of our program was to develop "An Evening of Family Reading" sessions for students in grades K-2 and their families. During March, April, and May of 2006 we sponsored three evening sessions, complete with dinner, to teach parents how to work with their students as they increase their reading and writing skills. We also had small-group instruction sessions for students to learn reading and writing strategies.

One parent commented, "This program was a great benefit to young children--a gift from caring individuals with a hope in mind to encourage the children to have a "love" of reading. I can say for my family that this has made a great impact on my boys, not only have they enjoyed coming here every month, but they now also love to sit down and listen to me read books every night. We value this time together. Thanks to EVERY single individual involved from the sponsors to the front-line people. Because of people like you, the world will be a better place. Thanks!

This program was a true community collaborative effort. In addition to educators from the D. C. Everest Area School District, the Wausau School District, and Newman Catholic Schools, we had support from the Talent Shop, Wausau Awards and Engraving, Scholastic Books, Janke Book Store, Leklam-Penn Specialty Products and many others.

Students received book bags, books, stuffed animals as reading buddies, a literacy basket with writing supplies and a 2-shelf bookcase.

In addition to the evening sessions, book bags and books were distributed to summer school reading students at the end of the summer school session in July 2007. We also supplied the Women’s Community with books for both students and their mothers.

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