WAUSAU AREA BUSINESSES PLEDGE $5,000 TO KIDS’ SUMMER READING PROGRAM

Children and businesses to raise money for local literacy programs

FOR WAUSAU TIMES

A local children’s book Author/Illustrator is teaming up with area businesses to provide a reading incentive program that prevents the “summer slide” for kids ages six to twelve. Business sponsors donate a penny for every minute participants read over the first six weeks of summer vacation. Funds raised go toward local literacy.

The program, Sandy’s Summer Splash Into Reading, is a community effort with growing support from over 15 area businesses. In 2022, the program raised $223.32 for local literacy programs. In 2023, it raised $2005.94. This year, sponsors Connexus Association, Office Enterprises, Incorporated, Inspired by Design Interiors, JARP Industries, Dovorany Orthodontics, Westphal Staffing, Wausau Tax & Accounting, Inc, SK Design, Astia Health and Mosinee Family Dental have pledged a combined total of $5,275.

Janke Book Store, Hey Hey Vacay Travel Consultants, The Greater Wausau Children’s Museum, Sawmill Adventure Park, Clean Slate Coffee House, SK Design and Texas Roadhouse are donating prize incentives for the children. 

Literacy beneficiaries include the Wausau Early Birds Rotary Club Reading to Go program and McLit – Marathon County Literacy Council. 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. McLit serves Marathon County and surrounding areas with literacy resources through mentoring, tutoring and coaching. They are currently addressing growing English-as-a-Second-Language needs.

Registration for kids ages six to twelve is open online at www.summerreadingfundraiser.com. Winners and competition fundraising totals will be announced at a ceremony on Friday, July 26 at Wausau Barnes & Noble. A Book Fair will coincide with the ceremony to raise further funds for beneficiaries.

Jessica Kopecky, the event organizer, is a local Graphic Designer. After releasing a full-color, lower-middle grade author/illustrated children’s chapter book in 2021, she received feedback that the book encouraged reluctant readers. In 2022 she began a yearly reading program to further incentivize young readers and boost literacy.

For more information on Sandy’s Summer Splash Into Reading, contact — Jessica Kopecky at 715-340-7781, email design@jessicakopecky.com, or visit www.summerreadingfundraiser.com