Wells Fargo today presented United Way of the Midlands with a corporate gift of $75,000 June 10 to support local early childhood literacy efforts.
“When companies like Wells Fargo invest in our children, the possibilities are endless and allow us the opportunity to create long-term change in our community,” said Sara Fawcett, President and CEO of United Way of the Midlands. “We’re providing books, teaching support and training to schools through our Midlands Reading Consortium, and Wells Fargo’s partnership and financial investment in education will make a positive impact on our community. This investment will allow us to continue serving our Midlands students to improve literacy skills, so children are reading on grade level and are on track to graduate on time.”
United Way’s Midlands Reading Consortium (MRC) focuses on increasing language development, reading proficiency and encouraging a child’s love for reading. MRC offers a library of services including a one-to-one tutoring program, parent engagement events, guest reading opportunities for both individuals and companies and summer reading camp opportunities. Last year, more than 600 children were tutored through the MRC program.
In partnership with the Midlands Reading Consortium, United Way’s Young Leaders Society’s Be a Book Bunny program provides students tutored through the MRC program with literary totes filled with eight new, age-appropriate books, school supplies and colored pencils to help build their personal libraries and prevent children from losing reading skills over the summer months.
“We are proud to support United Way of the Midlands and the work they do to promote academic achievement for students in need,” said Holt Chetwood, Wells Fargo Senior VP and Midlands Market President. “The success of our young students keeps our communities strong. When they succeed, so do we.”
Last year, MRC served more than 600 students in Richland, Lexington and Newberry counties with the help of more than 300 volunteers. United Way focuses on education strategies that provide a firm foundation at an early age and continue to help develop our children into successful adults who can contribute to their communities.
Volunteer opportunities are available for those interested in participating in MRC for the 2019-2020 school year. For more information, including a list of participating schools, visit volunteer.uway.org.
To learn more about United Way’s work in the Midlands, visit uway.org.
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