This club is sharing its love of reading with local preschoolers this November—here’s how

Reading time: 2 minutes

Birmingham, Birmingham City Schools
A lifelong love of reading starts early. Photo via Birmingham City Schools, taken pre-COVID-19

Between November 8-17, members of the largest Kiwanis Club in the world will be reading to 386 preschoolers throughout The Magic City. Keep reading to find out why and how you can get involved.

Kiwanis’s mission is building through service

Kiwanis reads
The Kiwanis Club of Birmingham is the world’s largest, and they’re about to read to a lot of kids. Photo via Kiwanis Club of Birmingham

The Kiwanis Club of Birmingham often does some kind of literacy-related program each year, but, like with most things, COVID put a halt on these efforts for two years.

“One of the greatest gifts that we can give any child is the ability and joy of reading at a young age. Youth are at the heart of our mission of building by serving. We know this gift is one that will continue serving them throughout their lives.”

Honora Gathings, Kiwanis Club of Birmingham Executive Director

How Kiwanis Reads works

This year, Kiwanians are excited to get back out into the city and read to 386 preschoolers through local Head Start programs in the following locations:

  • Kingston Head Start
  • United Ability
  • Elyton Center
  • Festival Head Start
  • YWCA

After volunteers read, they’ll give copies of the book to the children so they can practice reading at home. The Kiwanis Club of Birmingham hopes that the experience and the books will help children develop a lifelong love of reading and let their imaginations soar.

Want to get involved in service projects like Kiwanis Reads in Birmingham?

Want to be part of bringing the magic to The Magic City? Here are a couple of stories that will show you how to get involved in local service organizations like Kiwanis:

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Sharron Swain
Sharron Swain

Writer, Interviewer + Adventurer | Telling stories to make a difference

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