September 20, 2018 | Source: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
By Erica Pauda
It was story time Thursday morning as grown-up volunteers turned out to read to youngsters at Lubbock area schools.
Among them were dozens of children at Whiteside Elementary School, who seemed eager to enjoy a good book as part of Lubbock Area United Way’s United We Read program.
Lubbock Mayor Dan Pope was among volunteer readers who loaned their voices for the story telling.
He read “The Little Red Fort,” by Brenda Maier to a group of second graders.
All volunteers who participated at five Lubbock area school districts read the book by Maier, which also had a craft to go along with the story, according to Amanda McAfee with United Way.
Before Pope began reading, he asked the children why it was important to read.
Avery, a second grade student, said reading was important because it helps your brain learn more stuff.
Grace, another second grade student, said children can also learn about history and people from the past, like presidents and mayors like Pope.
McAfee, marketing and communications director for United Way, said the annual event is a way to promote reading in the classroom, as well as at home.
After age 8 going into 9-years-old, she said, children are starting to read to learn, and learning subjects like history or science.
McAfee said this is why the event spread throughout the five school districts - Lubbock, Lubbock-Cooper, Frenship, Shallowater and New Deal.
McAfee said a great way to make reading exciting is to bring in people who are in uniforms, like a law enforcement officer or a city official.