NEW SUMMER READING INCENTIVE PROGRAM RAISES MONEY FOR LOCAL LITERACY
FOR THE WAUSAU TIMES
Local children and businesses raised $223.32 for Wausau Early Birds Rotary Club Reading to Go Program in first year.
ROTHSCHILD-– Local children’s book Author/Illustrator Jessica Kopecky and area businesses provided a reading incentive program for children in the greater Wausau area from June 19 to July 23, 2022. The participants were highly engaged and raised one penny per minute for local literacy while maintaining their summer reading skills. Winners were announced August 1, 2022.
Through donations from Office Enterprises, Incorporated and Inspired by Design Interiors, the program, Sandy’s Summer Splash Into Readingraised $223.32 for the Wausau Early Birds Rotary Club Reading to Go program. Reading to Go is a group of caring Rotary members who teach early literacy strategies in collaboration with Wausau School District, D.C. Everest School District and Newman Catholic Schools.
Children were incentivized with prizes from the Greater Wausau Children’s Museum, Sawmill Adventure Park, Janke Book Store, Hey Hey Vacay Travel Consultants, Clean Slate Coffee House, and the author’s unicorn-themed book.
The summer reading incentive program was designed for children ages six to 12. Plans are underway to provide another reading program for local children in the summer of 2023.
Jessica Kopecky, a local Designer, Mural Artist and Author/Illustrator, released a lower-middle grade children’s chapter book, Secret of the Starflower: Rainbow of Spectra, for ages eight to 12 in June, 2021. The book encourages reluctant readers through its engaging fantasy theme and full-color illustrations. Sandy’s Summer Splash Into Reading program builds upon the concept of encouraging literacy, especially as children transition from picture to chapter books.
For more information about this program or how to become a sponsor in 2023, contact — Jessica Kopecky at 715-340-7781, email [email protected], or visit www.secretofthestarflower.com