June 21, 2018 | Press Release
Tomorrow, June 22, 2018, an estimated 150 South Plains children ages 3-12 will receive a new book to take home and an opportunity to engage in literacy-related events through Lubbock Area United Way’s Day of Caring. Part of United Way Worldwide’s Day of Action, Lubbock Area United Way joins more than 400 communities and thousands of individuals in making their communities a better place to live.
Lubbock Area United Way’s Loaned Executive group spearheaded this project creating fun and engaging activities to help children develop a passion for reading. More than 60 local professionals are involved. Events are scheduled at four different United Way Community Partners:
Early Learning Centers, Vanda location (1301 Vanda) from 9:00 – 11:30 AM
Guadalupe Parkway Neighborhood Centers, Parkway location (405 N MLK Blvd) from 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Literacy Lubbock and Parenting Cottage – (Lubbock ISD’s Jay Gordon Room, 1628 19th Street) from 9:30 – 11:00 AM
Lubbock Boys & Girls Club, Optimist location (3301 Cornell) from 9:00 – 11:30 AM
“Day of Caring is an encouraging and fun day for the Loaned Executives and partner agencies,” said Loaned Executive Chair Kelsey Tubb of City Bank. “It gives the Loaned Executives a chance to see first-hand the impact of the role they will play in the overall campaign while educating and interacting with the children at the partner agencies. Beyond this, the theme of literacy is so important for children at this stage of their lives.”
The more books a child has in the home, the more prepared they are to start and be successful in school. Key to encouraging literacy is also showing that reading is fun, which is the goal of tomorrow’s volunteers.
AJ McCleod of StarCare Specialty Health System is volunteering for his second year with the Loaned Executive program. Day of Caring is one of his favorite events: “I love to see what impact United Way has on some of the real-life kids who go to the agencies that United Way supports, and it’s fun. It’s always fun to see the kids.”
Representatives with Lubbock Police Department and Lubbock Fire Rescue will also be participating in the event.
Loaned Executives are individuals "loaned" by their employer to work with United Way on a part-time basis assisting other companies with their United Way workplace campaigns. Each year they participate in a Day of Caring project and have volunteered at many United Way agencies in past years. Hundreds of volunteers have come through the Loaned Executive Program since its inception. 2018 celebrates the 50th year of the Loaned Executive Program.
Lubbock Area United Way funds programs at 23 local Community Partner Agencies. These programs work daily to assist people in Lubbock and surrounding communities with needs such as affordable quality child care, parenting education, crisis situations, adult literacy, job training, and youth mentoring. A complete list of the Community Partners and the services they provide can be found online at www.liveunitedlubbock.org.
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