Highlights

Primrose Schools, a leader in early childhood education, recently donated $146,000 to Reach Out and Read, a national not-for-profit organization that makes books and reading a part of pediatric care – especially for low income families. More than 20,000 students from 170 Primrose Schools across the country participated in school-based fundraising events, and together, they raised $146,000.

According to Dr. Mary Zurn, vice president of education for Primrose Schools, the donation reflects Primrose’s goal of promoting early literacy skills among young children. “Reading provides one of the best indicators of a child’s future academic success in elementary and high school. Every child should be read to regularly and should be encouraged to use books as a resource and for entertainment.”

Students from Primrose Schools showed their love for reading during donation events across the country. During each event, students announced the $146,000 donation, held ‘rally’ signs that touted “I love to read!” “Dr. Seuss rules!” and “Read for fun!” The children heard a story from Dr. Zurn, while representatives from Reach Out and Read detailed the impact of the donation.

“Our Primrose students across the country have worked extremely hard over the past year because they truly wanted to help other children to experience the joy of reading,” said Jo Kirchner, president and CEO of Primrose Schools. “Early literacy is a critical issue that must be addressed. We look forward to working together with Reach Out and Read to bring books and a love of reading into the lives of all children locally and throughout the country for years to come,” she added.
 
The Reach Out and Read program reaches more than 3 million children, between the ages of 6 months and 5-years-old, annually by providing them with a book at well child visits. In addition, participating doctors and nurses receive training from Reach Out and Read to properly educate parents about the importance of reading with their children. Funds from the Primrose Schools donation will enable Reach Out and Read to support its programs in areas of need throughout the country – with a special emphasis on Primrose communities. Representatives from the organization believe the Primrose donation will allow Reach Out and Read to help more than 40,000 children living in poverty.

“On behalf of the entire Reach Out and Read program, I am thrilled to receive this extremely generous gift from Primrose. We’re proud to partner with these children, and greatly appreciate their desire to promote early childhood literacy in their communities. Primrose’s commitment to early childhood education is a natural fit with our goal to encourage a love of reading,” said Martha Gershun, executive director, Reach Out and Read National Center.

Preschoolers at Primrose Schools across the country helped raise the funds through the school’s character development program that teaches students to care for others. Giving back to the community is a key component of Primrose Schools’ exclusive Balanced Learning® curriculum, which uniquely balances character development with academics and play.

 

About Reach Out and Read:
Reach Out and Read is a national, non-profit children’s literacy program that works with medical providers to reach the children at greatest risk – children aged 6 months to 5 years living at or near poverty. Medical providers participating in Reach Out and Read give books to their youngest patients at check-ups and advise their parents about the importance of reading. More than 20 million books have been distributed through Reach Out and Read, which currently serves 25 percent of the most impoverished children in the U.S.  For more information visit www.reachoutandread.org.